Las Vegas Bowl Puts Players in the Chips

USC players can earn an unexpected bonus for making it to the Las Vegas Bowl. Namely, cash.

In postseason play, the NCAA allows schools to hand athletes the money to buy airplane tickets to the game. What the player does with the money is his choice.

At USC, the team has arranged for expensive tickets. Coaches are encouraging players to fly or take the bus, but with Las Vegas being so close to Los Angeles, a team official said many players have already decided to drive and keep several hundred dollars each.

Players also receive a per diem plus $20 a day for incidental costs.

*

Several seniors recently met with Pat Kirwan, a former NFL executive and friend of Coach Pete Carroll, to get tips on making themselves more attractive to the pros.

Kirwan told the players to broaden their skills, which explains why defensive lineman Ryan Nielsen stayed after practice Friday to work on snapping the ball. Nielsen said Kirwan offered additional advice.

“First of all,” he said, “you’ve got to have a good bowl game.”

*

Norm Katnik’s sprained knee was feeling good when he started practice Friday but the offensive lineman says he may have been overconfident. He reinjured the knee in warmups and took the rest of the afternoon off.

“After today, I realized I have to give it proper rest,” he said. “I won’t try to hurry anything.”

Receiver Keary Colbert also is being patient with his sore ankles. He hopes to resume practicing hard next week.

Another injured starter, cornerback Chris Cash, is recovering from a broken kneecap he suffered near the end of the regular season and might start running next week, Carroll said.