USC's Robert Woods Using Speed To Spark Trojans

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Just seven games into his freshman season at Southern California, Robert Woods already knows the thrill of hearing a packed Coliseum cheering his exploits.

There's one missing voice in that crowd for the Trojans' freshman receiver: his sister, Olivia, who died of cancer 3 1/2 years ago.

"Sometimes she would be the only voice I would hear," Woods said, smiling at the memory of his high school games in Carson, south of downtown Los Angeles. "'Let's go, Robert!' Real loud. Sometimes when I have a great play, I just look up at her and smile. I know she's looking down on me."

Woods plays in her memory, writing her name on his wrist before each game, but he's also focused on the future at USC. The fastest player in the Trojans' recruiting class never considered abandoning the school after the NCAA's heavy sanctions came down this summer.

"I just wanted to be a Trojan my whole life," Woods said. "One of my biggest goals was to be here when the bowl ban ends my junior year. No second thoughts, not at all."

Woods already has won a starting job, and he leads the Trojans in yards receiving after back-to-back phenomenal games featuring 19 catches for 340 yards and five touchdowns. His world-class speed could be a key in No. 24 USC's visit from top-ranked Oregon on Saturday.

The Trojans have fielded an enormous number of game-breaking offensive talents during the past decade, and Woods already seems to deserve a spot. His combination of speed, size and technique already have earned repeated comparisons.

"I like the comparison to Steve Smith," Woods said with a freshman grin. "He's one of the guys I watched growing up here."

Coach Lane Kiffin, who nurtured most of those talents as a Trojans assistant, sees it this way: "He's Stevie Smith, but he's faster."

"What he's been able to do the last two weeks is amazing, but it does take time," Kiffin added. "We just haven't given him the ball enough. When we've gotten him the ball, he's done a great job. He has played great whenever we've given him a chance."

Woods is no ordinary freshman, even in a class of extraordinary talent. While freshman tailback Dillon Baxter has shown only flashes of his gifts while dealing with sprained toes and his self-confessed lack of focus, Woods has been on top of his game from nearly his first practice. He locked up a starting job in training camp, beating out David Ausberry and Brice Butler.

"Robert is amazing for a freshman," quarterback Matt Barkley said. "He's got all the talent in the world, but he's also a hard worker. He wants to get the most out of what he's got, and it's great to be teammates with a guy like that."

Woods had 13 receptions for one touchdown in the Trojans' first four games, and he even didn't have a catch in a loss to Washington four weeks ago -- but he's been almost unstoppable since.

The freshman had a jaw-dropping 12 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns when the Trojans seriously tested Stanford before losing on a last-second field goal. Woods then followed up with seven catches for 116 yards and two scores against California, and he probably could have had more if USC hadn't been blowing out the Golden Bears.

Woods credits his emergence to a bond with Barkley, who also has progressed sharply in his sophomore year. The duo shares a confidence bred by dozens of post-practice throwing sessions.

"I would say there's a rhythm," Woods said. "I'm starting to feel good out there, more relaxed. Matt and me communicate on and off the field about everything. After I score, he's the first guy to congratulate me."

Kiffin immediately found additional ways to get the ball in Woods' hands, sending him to return kickoffs and punts. Woods brought back a kickoff for a score against Minnesota, and has broken a kickoff return of at least 25 yards in each of the Trojans' last three games.

The Trojans have even experimented in practice with using Woods as a defensive back, although it hasn't happened in a game yet. Woods eagerly pursued the assignment.

"I played defense in high school, and I love it," Woods said. "I know it's different, but if I get the opportunity, I'm ready to do it."

The No. 1 Ducks have a collection of speedsters, and USC's defensive woes this season suggest a shootout at the Coliseum on Saturday night. Woods has watched Stanford and other offenses enjoy success against Oregon's defense, and he suspects the Trojans can do the same.

"If we execute our offense, we can score as many points as anybody out there," Woods said. "We have that much talent. I just want to play a role in that."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)