It’s Hard Not to Look Ahead

USC’s seniors huddled on the field with Coach Paul Hackett for about 10 minutes after practice Thursday to talk about the final three games.

They’re zeroed in on UCLA, but Washington State has to come first.

“We need to get momentum from this game so we can go into the UCLA game and end the [eight-year losing streak,]” safety David Gibson said.

“We need to get a win under our belt so we can understand what winning is like again. I think we’ve lost the feeling of what it’s like to win a little bit.”

They know too well how it feels to lose.

“Especially with a long road trip. We hate coming back on the plane after a loss. It’s just dead silence,” Gibson said.

“I think this is a two-hour bus ride and a three-hour plane flight. Plus, it’s our last road trip. It’d be nice to go out happy.”

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Carson Palmer was allowed to lob the ball 10 yards about 30 times Thursday, but Hackett remains skeptical he’ll be able to return for the UCLA game.

A decision will be made Sunday on whether to allow him to begin throwing in earnest only six days before the game.

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Neither receiver Marcell Allmond (shoulder) nor defensive tackle Aaron Williams (neck) will make the trip to Washington State.