A Final Meeting at Midfield

USC players met at midfield after their first training-camp practice at Howard Jones Field in August and the top-ranked Trojans will do the same today when they practice on campus for the final time this season.

USC, which returns to practice after a three-day break, will leave for Florida on Tuesday. The Trojans, who have been ranked No. 1 all season, play second-ranked Oklahoma on Jan. 4 in the Orange Bowl, this season’s bowl championship series title game.

“We came out the first night of camp ... and recognized what our chances were to do something special,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “When we practice here [today], we’ll take one last moment out there at the 50 and we’ll have done everything we could have done ... to give us a chance to finish the season off on a great note.

“We get one more shot to put a big star by our name.”

The Trojans are confident that their trip to the 2003 Orange Bowl will serve them well.

USC will stay at the same hotel and practice at the same facility they used before defeating Iowa at Pro Player Stadium, 38-17.

“It was all brand-new the first time,” Carroll said. “Now we know what we’re doing, where we’re going.... Those are all benefits for us having a smooth transition.”

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Running back LenDale White and defensive tackle Manuel Wright, who have been nursing high ankle sprains the last few weeks, might participate in limited drills today.... Oklahoma has played in the Orange Bowl game 17 times. The Sooners are 12-5. Oklahoma defeated Florida State, 13-2, in the 2002 Orange Bowl.