Trojans Looking to the Future

USC still has a bowl game to play, but the Trojans will turn their attention to next season when they resume a light practice schedule today.

Young players and others who redshirted because they transferred or were injured will receive the majority of repetitions in the next few weeks. The competition is expected to set the stage for more intense battles during spring practice.

“The coaches kind of told us, ‘This is your time. Your chance to make an impression. It’s up to you,’ ” freshman lineman Fred Matua said Thursday.

Tim Davis, an offensive line coach, said he learned the value of bowl practices during his five years on the staff at Wisconsin.

“It’s like having another spring practice,” Davis said. “Do you know why all the best teams keep going to bowl games? It’s because of those practices.”

Redshirt sophomore Matt Cassel, redshirt freshmen Matt Leinart and Billy Hart and junior transfer Brandon Hance all will take plenty of snaps as senior quarterback Carson Palmer travels the banquet circuit next week. Palmer is scheduled to attend award ceremonies in Orlando, Fla., and Louisville, Ky., and is likely to conclude the trip in New York for the Heisman Trophy announcement.

“With Carson gone, it is even more important for those guys to step up,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said.

Nick Holt, who coaches linebackers, said transfers Frostee Rucker and Lofa Tatupu, and freshmen Oscar Lua and Dallas Sartz are among those that will practice with the first unit in place of starters Matt Grootegoed, Mike Pollard and Melvin Simmons.

“Those guys will be ready for the bowl game,” Holt said of the starters, “but we don’t need overkill. This is a chance for the young guys to learn the system even better.”

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Tight end Gregg Guenther was on crutches Thursday, two days after having arthroscopic surgery for a torn ligament in his left knee. He said he would sit out two weeks of practice but will play in the bowl game.

Guenther said he thought he suffered the injury against Arizona State on Nov. 16. He caught his first career touchdown pass against UCLA the next week but did not play against Notre Dame.

“I waited to have anything done because I wanted to be able to play a full season,” said Guenther, sidelined almost all of the previous two seasons because of a back injury that required surgery.

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USC Coach Pete Carroll reportedly spoke with Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill about Chow, who is due to return in time for practice today after a three-state recruiting trip that concluded in Hawaii.... USC will practice today and Saturday before breaking until next Thursday.