COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT / USC : Decision Remains on Starting Kicker

Every starting position has been determined for Saturday night’s season opener at Hawaii except one: field-goal kicker.

Neither junior David Bell, who kicks off, nor newcomer David Newbury, a sophomore from Navarro Junior College in Texas, has been able to win the job--and both failed a brief audition Sunday at the Coliseum, each missing from about 40 yards.

“I’d really like to make a decision before we get on the plane,” Coach Paul Hackett said, his exasperation beginning to show.

Both kickers were solid in warm-ups, hitting consistently from 35 yards, but when the pressure was on, both missed, though Bell was closer.

Both also were hot and cold in training camp, though Bell made one kick longer than 50 yards.

After four years with Adam Abrams at kicker, USC starts the season with no kicker who has ever made a Division I field goal.

The good news for the Trojans is that USC will be heavily favored against Hawaii--so it shouldn’t come down to a field goal.

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Hawaii has the nation’s longest losing streak at 18 games, and the Rainbows are 0-3 against USC, which has outscored Hawaii, 111-11.

The Trojans played Hawaii in 1930 (52-0), 1936 (38-6) and 1978 (21-5).

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The Trojans didn’t practice Monday, taking their regular in-season day off as classes began.