Walk-On Takes Prosser’s Place on Trip

Chris Prosser felt hopeful at the start of practice Thursday morning but, after a few minutes of running, his optimism turned to dizziness. That meant he was still suffering from a concussion and could not travel with USC to Notre Dame for Saturday’s game.

The USC linebacker’s loss was an unexpected gain for little-used defensive lineman Jay Bottom. Minutes before buses took the team to Los Angeles International Airport, coaches informed the freshman walk-on from Newport Beach that he was making the trip.

“I’ve heard about this game all of my life,” Bottom said. “Now I get to see what the thing is all about. Now I get to live it.”

The Trojans flew east a day earlier than usual for two reasons. Coach Pete Carroll wanted to give them time to visit the College Football Hall of Fame today and soak up the atmosphere of a big rivalry. He also wanted to mitigate the long flight and time-zone change. It’s a routine he learned as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

“I’m trying to make it as normal as possible,” he said. “They’re not running around at the last minute.”

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As expected, tailback Sultan McCullough stayed behind to nurse an injured abdominal muscle. Sunny Byrd, expected to start in his spot, practiced in a yellow jersey--meaning he was off limits to tacklers--but Carroll said he would be ready to play.

“He’s banged up from the [Arizona State] game, as you’d expect,” the coach said. “As physical as he runs, he has to play like that.”

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Linebacker Bobby Otani will be in uniform Saturday but will be used only in an emergency, Carroll said.