It’s All Relative

The names Knight and Keneley are still on the USC roster, even though last season’s leading tackler Sammy Knight and standout defensive lineman Matt Keneley are gone.

Freshman defensive back Darryl Knight is the younger brother of Sammy Knight as well as of Ryan Knight, who led USC in rushing in 1985 and ’86.

Todd Keneley, a walk-on defensive lineman from Saddleback College and Mission Viejo High, is Matt’s younger brother.

“I might feel more acclimated to the area and comfortable around the team,” Darryl Knight said. “But as far as playing, I’m the same as everybody.”

Keneley said he turned down a chance to play at Brown, where he would have been a defensive leader, to walk on and hope for spot duty at USC.

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Freshman running back Malaefou MacKenzie has been impressive in limited practice time but has been slowed by a foot problem. He participated in part of the first day of full contact drills Monday wearing his new orthotic device. His arch is painful, but MacKenzie is gaining a reputation for a high pain threshold. “He would probably complain slightly if his leg fell off. Very stoic,” Coach John Robinson said. . . . Although the three quarterbacks continue to rotate, John Fox still appears to be ahead of Quincy Woods, who hasn’t been an effective passer. Robinson said a decision on the starter might be made by next week “if it’s clear.”

Running back Delon Washington practiced in the morning but got the afternoon off so could take care of paperwork involving his car, stolen from a campus lot Sunday. . . . Backup linebacker Bob Aubrey left the field with what was initially termed a bruised knee, and is one of a number of players hampered by slight injuries. “We’ve driven ‘em hard,” Robinson said. “Anybody with a muscle pull of any kind, we’re going to hold out.”