Carroll Pulls No Punches

With a free weekend facing idle USC, Coach Pete Carroll used the recent problems of another Pacific 10 Conference team to warn his players about staying out of trouble until they return to practice Monday.

“We saw a lot of problems at Washington State, just in a flash,” Carroll said after the Trojans’ final practice of the week Thursday. “And it can happen to you.”

Washington State, which plays host to Arizona State Saturday in a battle for first place in the Pac-10, lost two defensive starters this week after a locker-room fight sidelined cornerback Jason David with a broken cheekbone and led to the indefinite suspension of linebacker Ira Davis.

“I did use it as an example,” Carroll said. “They lost two guys with one punch.”

Carroll said he’s hopeful his players will show good judgment during their three days off. USC’s next game is Nov. 9 at Stanford.

“I hope all the time we spend together and the things that we do and the way that we think as a team will help us make good decisions,” he said.

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USC wrapped up practice Thursday with an intrasquad scrimmage that Carroll dubbed the Halloween Bowl.

Appropriately enough, it got off to a frightening start when offensive guard Chris Doyle was injured on the first play. Doyle, a freshman expected to redshirt this season, limped off the field and was treated on the sideline for what Carroll described as a sprained left knee.

Things went smoother during the rest of the scrimmage, which featured reserves and players expected to redshirt.

Among the most impressive was linebacker Frostee Rucker, who is sitting out the season after transferring from Colorado State. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Rucker made two tackles for losses and batted away a pass that he nearly intercepted.

“It was good to be able to get some reps,” Rucker said. “It’s been hard just being on the scout team for the second year in a row. It’s not the life for me. I don’t like that.”

Rucker, a former standout at Tustin High, redshirted last season as a freshman at Colorado State. He left the school after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge.

Though Rucker said he enjoys being at USC, he doesn’t like watching games.

“It’s very frustrating, especially when I watch the TV and see my friends back in Colorado playing,” he said. “Pretty soon it’s going to be my turn. I’ve just got to wait patiently.”

Another player waiting his turn is freshman offensive tackle Kyle Williams, who is expected to redshirt. He said the scrimmage was a chance to “hit some people and have some fun.” The 6-6, 280-pound Williams was an All-American at Dallas Highland Park High.