Trojans Look for Extended Celebration

With the UCLA game only days away, and his team needing a victory to become bowl eligible, USC Coach Pete Carroll has resisted looking forward to a potential postseason.

“It’s not about bowl games or even momentum,” he said. “This rivalry is enough in itself.”

His players, however, are eager to keep their season going, especially seniors such as defensive back Antuan Simmons. “I don’t want to lose my last game in the Coliseum,” he said.

A victory over UCLA would assure the Trojans fifth place in the Pacific 10 Conference. Depending on other outcomes--particularly the Washington State-Washington and California-Stanford games--they could finish as high as a tie for third. According to Pac-10 bowl arrangements, the Sun Bowl gets the third pick.

Though the Trojans would be 6-5, executive director Bernie Olivas said: “In El Paso, we like to see the teams we see on TV. We like to get teams like USC with the band and the tradition.”

The fourth pick goes to the Seattle Bowl, which is hoping for a Pacific Northwest team to boost ticket sales. That leaves the fifth-place Las Vegas Bowl as a more likely scenario.

Senior fullback Charlie Landrigan is just glad his team is in the running after a rough start.

“People ruled us out and here we are,” he said.

Still missing from practice Wednesday was receiver Keary Colbert, who insisted his sprained ankles will be ready Saturday. But unless he can practice today, Carroll said he will probably be limited to emergency use.

Colbert would be replaced by committee, a rotation that could include D. Hale, Devin Pitts, Steve Stevenson and even Grant Mattos, trying to return from a knee injury. Hale and Pitts were among the reserves who got valuable experience against Cal last weekend.

Hale caught three passes for 61 yards, Pitts caught four for 32.

“I think they’ve gained confidence,” Carroll said. “We’ve gained confidence in them as well.”

Another player who fits that category, and could play against UCLA, is seldom-used tailback Eric Reese, who ran for a 15-yard touchdown against the Golden Bears.

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The anti-spy saga continues. A campus security official is now attending practices and has two student workers at his disposal. On Wednesday, the pair was dispatched to check on an individual who appeared to be watching from a parking structure. “Awesome,” one of them said. “This job is getting exciting.” ... Offensive tackle Jacob Rogers continued to show signs he is recovering from a hyperextended elbow. Tailback Darryl Poston also practiced well.