Maiava back in the
islands with Trojans

The Baldwin alum will make
his collegiate debut against the
Warriors at Aloha Stadium

LOS ANGELES » Kaluka Maiava, a former nationally-ranked high school linebacker at Baldwin, returns to the islands this week to play his first collegiate football game, when two-time defending national champion Southern California opens the season against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium.

"It's great to play the first game of my collegiate career with the national championship team in front of my family and friends," Maiava said. "I have fans on Oahu as well as a crowd flying over from Maui just to watch me play. ... I can't wait for the game."

The game will be televised live on ESPN2. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m.

Maiava is practicing with the Trojans' kickoff and punt-return teams and the third-string defense. USC linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. said the freshman could see action on Saturday, especially since the Trojans have only one returning starting linebacker, Dallas Sartz.

"I am just looking forward to getting on the field and getting some good hits," Maiava said with a grin.

Maiava received ample playing time and recorded five tackles, including one against All-America candidate tailback LenDale White during an intrasquad scrimmage at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 21 with thousands of Trojans fans in attendance for the sneak peek.

"Kaluka's one of the fastest guys out there," Norton said after practice on Friday. "The sky's the limit for him. He possesses all of the intangibles; a great attitude and a love for the game you can just see by the way he plays."

Maiava first impressed coaches at summer camps last year. He was named the top linebacker at USC's camp after showcasing an intense style of play and a resemblance to former Trojan defensive standout Troy Polamalu, a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003.

"It's great to see another Samoan wearing the Trojan jersey 43," Norton said, nodding in the direction of the 6-foot, 220-pound Maiava. "He's got great potential."

Polamalu was often used as a backup safety and linebacker, as well as a special-teams player during his freshman year in 1999. In subsequent years, Polamalu made a big impact for the Trojans defense, recording 213 tackles and garnering numerous awards during his four-year career.

Maiava is one of four freshmen linebackers in what some regard as the nation's top recruiting class. The newcomers help ease the loss of All-America linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Lofa Tatupu.

Maiava said former Trojans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, now with the NFL's Tennessee Titans, was a major reason he chose USC.

"He's from Hawaii so he understands where I'm coming from and it's easy to talk with him because we relate to each other," Maiava said.

Maiava, who trained and took summer classes in Los Angeles for the past three months, says he misses home but is enjoying his experience at USC. He said he's found the pace on and off the field to be the biggest difference between California and Hawaii.

"Maui has a laid-back lifestyle and the pace of high school ball is a joke compared to here," he said.

Maiava, who has expressed interest in studying sports medicine, said his experience at USC has convinced him that hard work pays off.

"Athletics can take you anywhere if you try hard enough."