When Desmond Reed went down Saturday with a torn knee ligament, USC not only lost a quality kick returner and a shifty runner, but also a key component of kick coverage.

With two punts having been returned for touchdowns against them this season, Coach Pete Carroll was auditioning basically anybody and everybody for the position of “gunner” — the player who lines up wide and speeds down the field.

Safety Darnell Bing took a shot, freshman linebacker Rey Maualuga was involved and so was safety Josh Pinkard, among others.

USC punt coverage team in need of a ‘gunner’ [Daily Breeze]