Walk-On Kicker Good in Practice

Walk-on Mario Danelo wasted no time taking advantage of USC’s off week.

With struggling kicker Ryan Killeen resting because of a sore groin, Danelo on Tuesday received a rare chance during team drills, and he opened some eyes by making every field-goal attempt.

Danelo, a redshirt freshman who is the son of former NFL kicker Joe Danelo, converted once from 27 yards, twice from 37 yards and once from 43 yards.

“If Ryan had a problem, we could easily use him,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Killeen has made two of six field-goal attempts this season.

“If something happened to Ryan, I feel like I’m ready to go,” Danelo said.

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Freshman defensive lineman Jeff Schweiger said that he sustained a deep bone bruise near his left knee against Stanford and that doctors told him he was doubtful for USC’s Oct. 9 game against California.

Schweiger, however, said he intended to “hurry the process” of rehabilitation and would return to play against the Golden Bears.

Freshman linebacker Keith Rivers, who had two sacks against Stanford when he and Schweiger were installed as ends in passing situations, took more repetitions at end Tuesday.

“That position has always had the opportunity to be a hybrid position between defensive end and outside backer,” Carroll said.

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Linebacker Nick Vanderboom (knee) and cornerback Ronald Nunn (sinus polyp) had surgery as scheduled, according to Carroll.... Linebacker Matt Grootegoed was absent from practice to be treated for concussion symptoms. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu also missed practice to have an MRI exam on his right knee. Both players are expected to sit out a few days.... Carroll has not made it official, but sophomore quarterback John David Booty is almost certainly headed for redshirt status because of his injured right elbow. “We’re kind of running out of time on that deal,” Carroll said.