Fiery Goux Spins Irish Yarn

Former USC assistant Marv Goux spoke at a special team meeting Tuesday afternoon, telling players they would remember the Notre Dame game for the rest of their lives.

“He was a little animated,” receiver Keary Colbert said. “He’s an emotional guy.”

Coach Pete Carroll invited Goux to campus as part of an effort to impress upon his players the importance of Saturday’s game. The team will travel to Indiana on Thursday and spend part of Friday at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend.

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A specialist examined Sultan McCullough Tuesday, prescribing therapy and rest for the tailback’s injured abdominal muscle.

McCullough must do a daily stretching routine to align his hips so the muscle can heal. “You really can’t do too much to get it better,” he said. He will be reexamined Thursday, at which point Carroll will decide whether he travels to Notre Dame.

Sunny Byrd was listed as the starter in his spot. USC officials have clarified Byrd’s standing: Listed as a senior, he is actually a redshirt junior with another season of eligibility remaining.

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Among the backup tailbacks, Carroll said he wants freshmen Darryl Poston and Chris Howard to show more consistency in practice. He also hopes Chad Pierson, returning from a back injury suffered while lifting weights last winter, will be healed enough to play Saturday.

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Defensive lineman Bobby DeMars practiced after missing last week because of a neck injury. Carroll was hopeful he could be available for spot duty against the Irish. ... Receiver Grant Mattos (knee) has been ruled out for this week’s game.