LOS ANGELES -- The bye week always seems to come at the right time for Southern California wide receiver Deontay Burnett.Burnett parlayed extra reps in practice as a freshman into strong performances when the Trojans were beset by injuries last season. Now Burnett gets extra time to prepare after starting slot receiver Steven Mitchell tore his ACL in the win at Arizona last Saturday.Burnett and Mitchell had been sharing that role, producing nearly identical totals in receptions, yards receiving and touchdowns. The sophomore has been especially effective during USCs current three-game winning streak, making 13 receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown.Were very fortunate since Deontay has played so well all the way back since the Notre Dame game last year, the way he has progressed, coach Clay Helton said. He is playing great football right now and will be pushed up in that starting role.Working with Sam Darnold last year allowed Burnett to develop a rapport that has carried over after the redshirt freshman was promoted to starting quarterback last month. Burnett set career highs in receptions and yards receiving against Arizona State and caught an 11-yard touchdown pass against the Wildcats after Darnold broke the pocket to buy more time.That kind of awareness and a massive catch-radius are among Burnetts best attributes, first noticed by offensive coordinator Tee Martin when he was recruiting star cornerback Adoree Jackson. Martin saw Burnett go toe-to-toe with Jackson in practice. What followed was even more impressive.After practice they would do all this flipping, backflips, catching the ball with one hand, who could throw the ball the farthest, Martin said. It was all this freaky stuff that all of them would do after practice. And Adoree, you know the stuff he can do, and Deontay was like right there. I was like, `Who is this kid? It got my attention and I started recruiting him from that point on.But USC didnt have a spot for Burnett in its 2015 recruiting class, its first coming off scholarship reductions handed down by the NCAA in the Reggie Bush case. Burnett committed to Washington State before USC gave him a chance to join the program as a blueshirt, an un-recruited player who can receive a scholarship after arriving on campus.We were out of scholarships and Coach (Steve) Sarkisian asked me if there was any guy I needed or wanted and Deontay was the first name, Martin said. We were just lucky that he bought in to wanting to come to USC any way he could.Once I got this offer, this scholarship, I told myself I was coming here because this has always been my dream school, Burnett said. The best come to USC.Burnett impressed during a bye week last October, leading to extensive playing time against Notre Dame and California. Burnett had 82 yards receiving against the Golden Bears, the same team he will face in his first start on Oct. 27.It was exciting getting to show the coaches why I came to USC and beginning to put together film so they could see I could play and hopefully make plays on Saturdays, Burnett said.Burnett wants to refine his consistency during this bye week, but anyone walking past Loker Stadium in the next few days might get a glimpse of the athletic feats that initially caught Martins attention. Burnett plans to challenge Jackson to a catch contest this week, though his motivations go beyond one-upmanship.I always tell myself if you practice the hardest catches that they come easy in a game, Burnett said. Zack Greinke Jersey . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Jarrod Dyson Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. http://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.com/ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Ketel Marte Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Clay Buchholz Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds placed center fielder Billy Hamilton and left-handed pitcher Cody Reed on the 15-day disabled list.Both moves are retroactive to Sept. 5, leaving both players eligible to be activated on September 20.Hamilton hasnt played since Sept..dddddddddddd. 4 because of a strained left oblique. Reed hasnt pitched since Aug. 29 for Triple-A Louisville because of low back spasms. ' ' '
