Anthony Sarao ready for return trip to the East Coast

USC linebacker Anthony Sarao will have an expanded audience and he could play a different role Saturday at Boston College.

The New Jersey native is one of five scholarship Trojans players from the Northeast. The others are safety Gerald Bowman and defensive tackle Delvon Simmons from Philadelphia, offensive guard Khaliel Rodgers from Delaware and defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow from Maryland.

Sarao spent weeks lobbying teammates for tickets to distribute to family members making the short trip north to Boston. It’s the Trojans’ first trip to the East Coast since 2012, when they defeated Syracuse at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

“I come out to practice every day and I don’t get to see my own folks or know anybody watching me,” said Sarao, a fourth-year junior. “So just to go and see people watching first-hand will be a good feeling.”

Linebacker Hayes Pullard must sit out the first half to serve a Pac-12 Conference suspension for committing a targeting penalty against Stanford.

Michael Hutchings will start at middle linebacker but Sarao could also fill in.

“There’s not too much different,” said Sarao, a weakside linebacker. “I can handle it.”

In two games, Sarao has 12 tackles and an interception.

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