Players Get Cautionary Message

With a possible berth in the bowl championship series title game riding on the outcomes of their next two games, USC players were reminded before and after practice Thursday to proceed with caution while enjoying a three-day break.

The top-ranked Trojans, who have an open date Saturday, are off until Monday, when they will begin preparations for their game against Notre Dame on Nov. 27 at the Coliseum.

“It’s not the one great message you give them, it’s how many times you come back with the emphasis that you need to get across,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “We continued to hammer it ... about staying on track for what we’re all about and what we’re doing right now, and being mindful of your situations and drive carefully and the whole thing -- everything we could think of.”

USC’s week of practice was productive on several fronts.

Redshirting quarterbacks John David Booty and Rocky Hinds got extended work with the first-team offense and showed marked improvement.

“I’m just trying to learn the offense as much as I can in a little bit of time,” said Hinds, a freshman who did not play his senior year at Playa del Rey St. Bernard High because of a knee injury.

Senior kicker Ryan Killeen, who has made only seven of 16 field-goal attempts and has missed his last four tries, appears to be holding off a challenge from redshirt freshman Mario Danelo.

Carroll said offensive lineman John Drake is on track to play if needed against Notre Dame after sitting out two games because of a high ankle sprain. But several players were slowed on their road to recovery, including receivers Steve Smith (leg) and Chris McFoy (knee) and cornerback Kevin Arbet (knee).

“They’re still questionable at best until we know more,” Carroll said.

*

Freshman wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett left after practice to spend the weekend at home in New Jersey. ... Starting cornerback Eric Wright practiced and said results were negative from an MRI exam of his left knee. Wright sat out most of Wednesday’s workout after his knee buckled during a drill. ... Ex-Trojan quarterback Paul McDonald was chosen as one of six recipients of the 2005 Silver Anniversary award, presented annually by the NCAA to former student-athletes who have distinguished themselves since completing college athletic careers 25 years earlier.