Buchanon Has a Breakout Day

Senior wide receiver William Buchanon had a breakout spring practice but was overshadowed by returning starter Dwayne Jarrett and newcomer Patrick Turner in the first six days of training camp.

“He had been kind of off to a slow start,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Buchanon, one of the Trojans’ fastest players, finally broke out on Wednesday by catching two touchdown passes during USC’s first scrimmage.

Buchanon caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Matt Leinart and a 69-yard scoring pass from freshman Mark Sanchez on a day when the first-unit offense and defense played only about a quarter of the 68-play workout.

Sanchez and Buchanon also connected on a 79-yard play that was called back because of a penalty.

“I hope I can just bring that faster element of speed, other than Reggie Bush, so we have two deep threats out there to stretch the defense,” Buchanon said.

Buchanon, who started three games at cornerback in 2002, said the Trojans’ depth at receiver makes the unit even more formidable. “There shouldn’t be one tired receiver out there this year, because we can pretty much do it all,” he said.

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Charles Brown, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end from Pomona Diamond Ranch High, received certification from the NCAA Clearinghouse and was expected to be in camp today, Carroll said.

Walker Lee Ashley, a defensive lineman from Minnesota, is still awaiting certification.

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Freshman linebacker Brian Cushing intercepted a Sanchez pass, and freshman defensive end Kyle Moore had three sacks. ... Leinart completed eight of 11 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including a 17-yard touchdown to tight end Nick Vanderboom. John David Booty was 10 for 12 for 85 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown to tight end Fred Davis. Sanchez was five for eight for 110 yards.