Receivers get a big boost

One game does not qualify as a turnaround.

But after an impressive drop-free performance in their opener, USC receivers are confident that the criticism that dogged the unit last season is behind them.

Damian Williams, Patrick Turner, Vidal Hazelton and Ronald Johnson each made outstanding catches against Virginia. The receivers intend to continue their momentum next week against Ohio State and beyond.

"It's going to be throughout the whole season," Hazelton said Thursday.

Williams, the Arkansas transfer, debuted with a team-high seven receptions, Turner caught a touchdown pass and Hazelton had five catches before suffering an ankle sprain.

Johnson, however, was the greatest revelation.

The speedy sophomore from Michigan acknowledged stadium-sized anxiety when a ball thrown by quarterback Mark Sanchez hung in the air for what seemed like eternity before descending toward him in the end zone.

"I was like, 'Wow . . . If I don't catch this I'm going to get heckled the rest of my life,' " Johnson said.

Johnson hauled in the pass, double-clutching the ball before he secured it, completing a 49-yard scoring play. The touchdown fueled USC's rout and signaled perhaps the return of a deep threat that was absent from the Trojans' offense most of the last two seasons.

But for all the attention the third-quarter play received, Johnson's earlier reception on a slant route and a leaping grab along the sideline marked bigger steps for a player who caught only seven passes and scored one touchdown last season.

"That catch over the middle gave me more courage," Johnson said. "I want to make it so that to go over the middle is like second nature.

"On the sideline play, that was a hard ball and Mark put it out there for me to get it. I want to be a playmaker, and I came through."

After the game, Coach Pete Carroll said of the receivers, "We're much different from where we were at last season at this time."

Johnson does not disagree.

"Last year, it was not really in my mind-set," he said of making tough catches. "I am now. I got involved more in the middle and that opened my eyes that I can catch it."

Wells watch

Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells, who suffered a foot injury last week against Youngstown State, will not play on Saturday against Ohio, Buckeyes Coach Jim Tressel said.

Wells' status for the USC game remains uncertain, but Trojans players anticipate that he will play.