USC expects big things from line

Huge defensive tackle Ennis Davis, a certain first-round NFL pick, is finally healthy and ready to help the boys up front stuff the run and put pressure on opposing QBs.

By Nick McAuley
Assistant Sports Editor

Simply the best? That might be an apt description for this year's USC defensive line.
Though a group from Tallahassee that puts a claim on that title every year may have something to say about it, there's no debate that the Trojan defensive front is one of the best in the nation.
A unit that finished first against the run in the Pacific 10 Conference last year returns all the key components and an old face looks to shut down opponents again this year.
"I'm looking forward to the season," senior defensive tackle Ennis Davis said. "The defensive line is one of the strong points of the team and we have a ton of potential."
Davis is the biggest name of the group, having been named to the All-Conference Second Team last year and going into his third year as a starter.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Davis has 93 career tackles while clogging up the middle of the field for opposing offenses. He had 26 tackles for losses.
However, even with the postseason accolades, last season was a disappointment for Davis, who was picked to several preseason All-America teams.
While a big deal wasn't made about it then, Davis wasn't entirely healthy last season but played through the pain.
"I got healthy, I got stronger, I got faster, I lost 15 pounds," Davis said. "I worked on my pass rush a little bit, watched a little film. I should cause a little ruckus this year.
"I wasn't in good shape last season coming off the ACL (injury) because I couldn't run all season. My play makes a difference for the whole team."
Looking to feed off the senior leadership of Davis this year will be a cast of talented characters, including last year's USC Most Valuable Defensive Lineman, senior defensive tackle Ryan Nielsen.
Nielsen started 11 of 12 games last year and had 39 tackles playing alongside Davis. Nielsen is not one to rest on his laurels, though.
"We gave up too many points last year, cut and dry," Nielsen said. "That's our focus. We want to hold teams, (especially) in the fourth quarter."
Nielsen knows the defensive line has all the talent necessary to step up this year and do just that.
"It's the deepest defensive line since I've been here," Nielsen said. "We weren't as far along last year as we are this year. We know each other better."
After a year at linebacker that produced mixed results, senior Sultan Abdul-Malik returns to the defensive end position of two years ago that produced eight sacks and a boatload of expectations going into last year.
Abdul-Malik had a sack early in the second game of the year against San Diego State last year, but was assessed a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebrating.
Everything went downhill from there, but Abdul-Malik looks forward to a return to his pass-rushing duties.
"At defensive end you're always attacking, at linebacker you're waiting," Abdul-Malik said. "I'm on cloud nine to be back at defensive end."
Abdul-Malik isn't the only one. Head Coach Paul Hackett also envisions big things for his pass-rush specialist after the position change.
"This spring (Abdul-Malik) was spectacular," Hackett said. "We probably asked too much of him last year, playing some defensive end and linebacker. We expect him to be the best he can be this year and one of the best in the country."
With expectations high, it may be asking too much again from Abdul-Malik, but after readjusting to his old position, he is ready for the challenge.
"This spring I got so much better at stopping the run," Abdul-Malik said. "I key on the tackle, he tells me where the play is going. I've cut some body fat and added some muscle mass and I'm ready for Penn State."
Starting opposite Abdul-Malik will be senior defensive end Matt Childers, who is in only his second year at USC after transferring from Kansas State and sitting out a year.
"The defensive line is awesome," Childers said. "Everyone is playing well and we all know each other."
Trojans opponents can expect to see more than just the starting four this year, as USC goes two deep at every position.
That depth will help out a lot during the early season as players are still getting into game shape, especially in the muggy weather against Penn State at the Meadowlands.
"It'll help to keep rotating in hot games," Childers said. "It's all a matter of us putting it together and playing as a team. We can beat every team on the schedule."
Deep rising
Part of that depth will be provided by sophomore defensive tackle Bernard Riley, who looks to blossom after spending much of his freshman year learning under the tutelage of his veteran linemates.
"I've got to go and make plays," Riley said. "I adjusted to the speed and size last year and I picked my game up. The defensive line is definitely better than last year by far. Everyone who is ready to play has game experience and people that were hurt are healthy."
Other contributors on the line will include senior defensive end Shamsud-Din Abdul-Shaheed who will split time with Childers, junior Lonnie Ford who will see a lot of time this year will Abdul-Malik and junior Bobby DeMars who will spell Davis at times.
Injuries have become a concern in camp with the loss of freshman end Jamaal Williams to a broken right leg and minor injuries to Abdul-Malik, freshman end Nathan Goodson and tackle Kenechi Udeze.
It was the third time Williams, who will redshirt his first season, had broken his leg.
Also, defensive tackle Sagan Atuatasi , who was actually recruited for 1999 but didn't qualify academically, will not play because he couldn't clear his school work.
Still, everyone knows just how good the defensive line and the team could be this year and many have expressed optimism about the season.
"We need to be looking forward to Penn State," Riley said. "There is no one in this country that can beat us when we play our game."
Davis agreed. "We've got 10 veterans on defensive and that's confidence," he said.

Copyright 2000 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 141, No. 01 (Monday, August 21, 2000), beginning on page 6 and ending on page 19.