Trojans Refine Focus

The break between the regular season and bowl practice--not to mention a lightened practice load the last few weeks--might have done USC players some good.

“When you step away and come back,” Coach Pete Carroll said, “you see things a little more clearly.”

The result, Carroll said, was another focused practice on Saturday afternoon. The coaches feel confident enough to draw on every page from the playbook, which means the game plan for the Las Vegas Bowl will be more comprehensive than at any other point this fall.

“Everybody’s starting to understand their roles,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “We’re just going to go with what works.”

The players will decrease hitting today when they practice in shoulder pads and shorts.

Brandon Hance, who recently announced his decision to transfer from Purdue, visited campus to watch practice.

The former Woodland Hills Taft High quarterback was initially mentioned in connection with UCLA. Now, he said he wants to play in the West and is considering schools ranging from Arizona State to Cal to San Diego State. USC was his first visit, he said, “because it’s about 25 miles from home and I’ve got buddies on the team.”

USC quarterback Matt Cassel came over to say hello, as did Carroll. Hance hopes to choose a school in time for the spring semester but will wait until next fall if necessary.

Defensive lineman Kenechi Udeze and receiver Greig Carlson were injured Saturday but are expected back.... Shaun Cody limped in practice but Carroll wasn’t worried: “If we were playing this weekend, he’d play.”