Johnson Has a Message

USC is coming off a bye week. Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson is just beginning one.

So Johnson stopped by Howard Jones Field on Monday, watched the final 30 minutes of a practice that lasted a bit more than an hour and addressed the team afterward at the behest of Coach Pete Carroll.

USC, ranked 10th in the Associated Press poll, moved up to No. 9 in the BCS rankings earlier in the day.

“I told them it’s all in front of them for the most part,” said Johnson, an All-American at USC during the Trojans’ last Rose Bowl season in 1995. “I don’t think this university has been to a major bowl game since I left. They have an opportunity. Don’t let it pass them up.”

Carroll said he was pleased by Johnson’s appearance: “I like that they’re coming back because they feel good about what they’re seeing.”

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Johnson said he was impressed by the play of wide receiver Mike Williams, the 6-foot-5, 223-pound freshman from Tampa, Fla., who has a team-high 50 receptions.

“As long as he doesn’t let it go to his head and he continues to keep playing, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with for a long time,” Johnson said.

How big of a force?

“He could become one of the best receivers here,” Johnson said with a laugh. “He could be like the second-best receiver to ever play here.”

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Freshman lineman Fred Matua took repetitions with the scout team for the first time since having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 3.... Wide receiver Sandy Fletcher returned to practice after missing the last week because of a sprained ankle.... USC’s Nov. 16 home game against Arizona State will kick off at 4 p.m. and be televised nationally by TBS.

-- Gary Klein