Carroll Doesn’t Change Pattern

Not that Pete Carroll is superstitious, but since USC embarked on a late-season winning streak, the coach has kept the final practice of each week short, with no pads and limited contact.

That did not change Sunday as the Trojans pretty much finished their preparations for the Las Vegas Bowl.

With only a brief walk-through scheduled at Sam Boyd Stadium this afternoon, Carroll said he was satisfied with the work his team did getting ready for its Christmas Day game against Utah. The players, meanwhile, credited their coach for bringing them here a day early.

“That first night we didn’t have a curfew,” receiver Kareem Kelly said. “Coach Carroll let us get Las Vegas out of our systems.”

Utah took a different approach, arriving at the latest possible time, though the Utes had a chance to go out on Saturday night. By then, some USC players who had stayed out late on previous nights were heading back to their hotel rooms early.

From Carroll’s point of view, the scheduling could not have worked out better.

About the only bad news the team has had this week is a continuing knee problem for middle linebacker Mike Pollard.

Pollard spent Sunday’s practice on an exercise bicycle. Although his twisted knee responded better to treatment, and the swelling went down, Carroll said: “It’s really going to be a longshot for him to make it back.”

At least, the coach continued, the injury occurred early in the week and reserve Aaron Graham had more than two days to work with the starting defense.

Also on the brighter side, defensive tackle Shaun Cody had his best practice since suffering a knee injury several weeks ago.

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Having already lost one of its best defensive players to ineligibility, Utah now might be without a standout on the offensive line.

Senior Doug Kaufusi’s status remained uncertain as of Sunday. Kaufusi, who has been practicing with the team, was suspended last month when Coach Ron McBride learned that the senior faces misdemeanor assault charges. A final decision on Kaufusi’s availability might be made today.

This season’s line is widely regarded as the best in school history. “They’re efficient and they have played together for quite a while,” McBride said.