FOOTBALL: Palmer develops into Southern Cal's leader
By MIKE CONNOLLY
Sports Writer
When Irish head coach Bob Davie looks at Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer, he sees what Carlyle Holiday could become. Palmer, a third-year starter for USC, has developed into the veteran leader that Davie hopes Holiday will someday will be.
"When Carson Palmer was a young player, you could see that potential ," Davie said. "Certainly Carlyle is sitting here with four years of football. With some good fortune, he can be one heck of a player."
While Holiday's best days are still ahead of him, Palmer has developed into the top quarterback that he was predicted to become when he was recruited in high school. He leads the Pac-10 in total offense — averaging 265.5 yards per game. Although he started the season slowly — throwing six interceptions and just two touchdowns — he has been very effective in his last two games. The junior threw five touchdowns and no interceptions in the Trojans' losses to Stanford and Washington.
"I thought Carson had a great football game last week," Trojan head coach Pete Carroll said. "He really has put back-to-back weeks of solid ball for us."
Although Palmer ranks third all-time in total offense and completions at USC, he is also interception prone. Last year he tied a Southern Cal single season record with 18 interceptions. His 33 career interceptions place him second behind Rodney Peete on Southern Cal's all-time list.
Nevertheless, he is still a candidate for the Davey O'Brien award given to the top quarterback in the country.
While his arm strength and passing abilities are unquestioned, Palmer's hidden value lies in his mobility. He won't run the option like Holiday, but he does move around the pocket well.
The combination of his strength and mobility make him very attractive to NFL teams, according to Davie.
"I talked to [Packers head coach] Mike Sherman last night ... he said `People really like him in the NFL because he is mobile. He has such a strong arm,'" Davie said.
Notes:
* USC's starting tailback Sultan McCullough is listed as questionable for Saturday's game.
u Both Notre Dame's main tailback's Julius Jones and Tony Fisher are battling injuries right now as well. Both are expected to play Saturday but may not be 100 percent.
* Guard Sean Milligan was banged up in the West Virginia game and has been kept out of contact drills early in the week, according to Davie. Milligan is still expected to start however. If Milligan cannot play, fifth-year senior J.W. Jordan will fill in at guard.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, October 17, 2001
