Each time USC quarterback Reggie Perry goes home, he spends most of his time with about 12 younger brothers and sisters.

No, the children are not related to the Denison, Tex., native. These are the children of Perry's neighborhood, but he treats them like they are his own brothers or sisters.

"I grew up with those kids," Perry said. "I take time out to play with them."

He doesn't just take time out. Perry spends about 75 percent of his time with the children. He takes them to movies, plays sports or just watches TV with them.

Perry remembers what it was like when he was young. He waited for his older brothers to come home from high school football practice. Because of his brothers' influence, Perry started to get involved with sports. Now he wants to show others that they can make it, too.

"I want to show them that they can play sports and go to college too," Perry said. "Maybe one of them will be a quarterback at USC someday, like I am."

Someday is when Perry expected to be the starting quarterback, not his sophomore year on the team. Perry was highly recruited out of Denison High School. In his three-year career there, he passed for 2,100 yards and rushed for 1,140. He excelled in the classroom as well, earning a 3.6 grade point average and being named president of his school's chapter of the National Honor Society.

Perry struggled with grades his first semester at USC. But since then he has adapted to the college life, and it has been a whole different story.

"I had a hard time adjusting academic-wise," Perry said. "After the first semester I got back on track and my grades have been pretty good."

Last year, Perry was the third-string quarterback behind sophomore starter Todd Marinovich and senior Shane Foley. He appeared in only one game -- against Oregon State -- and was involved in only three plays. After a season of turmoil and controversy, Marinovich left school and was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders. Foley graduated. USC Coach Larry Smith needed a quarterback.

In the spring, Smith was toying with the idea of a two-quarterback system. Since neither of them had ever thrown a pass in college, Smith worked on alternating Perry and converted flanker Curtis Conway, figuring he had nothing to lose.

"I look at the quarterback position as one position played by two people," Smith said. "They're both going to get their share of the cake."

But, when the season opened Conway was back at receiver and returning punts and kickoffs, and Perry was the one taking snaps behind center. Perry's first start was on Labor Day against Memphis State. He labored through the day as the Tigers pulled off the first major upset of the college football season, beating the Trojans 24-10 in the Coliseum. Perry went 13-for-23 for 155 yards passing and threw one interception. He also rushed 15 times for 60 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown run.

"I didn't make too many critical mistakes," Perry said. "I felt good throwing the ball, but we didn't get the win . . . and that's what counts."

The coaches sheltered their young quarterback by calling safe plays. Because of this the offense suffered.

"Perry performed average," USC tailback Mazio Royster said. "He hasn't fulfilled his capabilities."

After the unexpected loss the team was obviously down. But Perry said the Trojans have bounced back and are looking ahead to the rest of the season.

"We watched the film (from the Memphis State game) and got positive things out of it," Perry said. "We have to look forward to our other games."

Even with the opening game loss, Smith still believes in his quarterback, comparing him to one of the great USC quarterbacks.

"Reggie has the talent to be our starting quarterback," Smith said. "The main thing he needs is experience. He's got great athletic ability and excellent quickness. He's more in the line of a mobile Rodney Peete."

Perry has heard that one before. Ever since he stepped onto the USC campus, he has been compared to the Trojans all-time passing leader. After all, Perry's jersey number is No. 16, Peete's former number. Perry has grown fond of the comparison.

"I followed Rodney when I was in high school, and I follow him now where he's in Detroit," Perry said. "He was an agressive quarterback and he took charge."

The offense, which was shut out by Memphis State, looks to be more effective against a Penn State defense that has yielded only 22 points in two games and has given up an average of 137 yards-per-game.

Going against the Lions' defense, one would expect the USC coaches to play the offense even safer than they did against Memphis State. Instead, they have given Perry more control.

"We're looking to open it up a little," Perry said. "Every play we run is hopefully going to be a big play."