John Allred gets along with his family just fine.

Even though both of his parents graduated from Arizona, the Southern Cal tight end still gets their respect.

"They went to school at Arizona, but with all of their kids at SC, they have become big fans," Allred said.

Following in his brothers' and sister's footsteps - his sister, Linda, was a standout player on the women's tennis team from 1989 to 1992 - Allred had thoughts of being a Wildcat, but realized he was a Trojan at heart.

In fact, he grew up next door to former UA basketball center Kevin Flanagan, and both attended Torrey Pines High School, in Southern California.

"I took visits to UCLA and Cal too, but growing up watching SC and having family there, it fit me well," Allred said.

His 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame fits in the offensive line well, too. Considering himself more as a lineman than a receiver, Allred enjoys being in the trenches.

"I like to block," he said. "I think that a tight end needs to establish himself as a blocker first, then as an offensive target."

That doesn't stop Allred from being a receiving threat. Earlier this season against Houston, he set a tight end single-game record with 10 catches in the Trojans' 26-9 win. Second on the team with 16 catches, Allred has been USC quarterback Brad Otton's g o-to guy this season. It is a role that at one point Allred never thought he would reach.

After starting the first three games in his sophomore year, he broke his leg, ending his season. He spent his junior year getting his feel back while watching Johnny McWilliams, now on the Arizona Cardinals, play most of the downs. Although he didn't star t, Allred appeared in all 12 games and was often used as a halfback and in multiple receiver situations.

"It was so disappointing," Allred said. "That (sophomore year) was probably the worst year of my life. When you get hurt you don't feel like you are part of the team."

This season, when the team has won, the offense has excelled. In the two losses, however, it has barely existed. USC scored only seven points against Penn State and 15 last week against Cal.

"We have stopped ourselves at times," Allred said. "One guy seems to make a mistake on one play, then when he gets it right, it is someone else on the next. We can't afford to have another bad game. Especially this week - we have to come together as a uni t against Arizona's defense or we are not going to win."

What has stood out this season for the Trojans is all the controversy that surrounds them. From players being suspended to charges of rape, the Trojans have been under constant scrutiny.

"We lost the last game from it," said Allred, who was not being directly involved with any of the incidents. "Obviously, we need to overcome those problems. We will have to see if we can deal with it. So far it has been tough."

For the Wildcats to win, they know stopping the tight end will be significant.

"Any time a tight end is talented like the one SC has, it definitely posses a threat," UA defensive backs coach Duane Akina said. "We know he is there and we need to give him the respect that he deserves, but we have successfully defended good tight ends in the past."

Akina said the Wildcats are not planning on making any drastic changes, but they are not going to let him get out of their sights, either.

"At times we will have linebackers covering him, but depending on the set they come out in, we could have cornerbacks covering him also," Akina said.

Either way, Allred isn't worried.

"Brad has been throwing perfect passes, so my job has been easy," Allred said.

Playing at home on familiar ground will help, too, but Allred said the home crowd is the best part. Even if his parents are cheering for both teams.

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