Staying on Top Is USC’s Game Now

Anger and frustration gave way to determination Monday as USC returned to the field for practice a day after being shut out of the Sugar Bowl.

The No. 1-ranked Trojans, who will play fourth-ranked Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, adopted a business-as-usual approach that allowed for cathartic hollering and laughter during the short workout.

It was a sharp contrast to a solemn Sunday, when USC found out it was ranked No. 1 in both national polls but had finished behind Oklahoma and Louisiana State in the bowl championship series standings and would not play in the Sugar Bowl, this season’s BCS championship game.

“We shifted right back into the mode that we’re most comfortable with and the way that we do it,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

Coaches who vote in the USA Today/ESPN poll are contractually bound to name the Sugar Bowl winner as their national champion.

Meanwhile, Trojan players said they have turned their attention to defeating Michigan, staying atop the Associated Press media poll and finishing with at least a share of their first national title since 1978.

“A lot of people are going to be wondering where is our focus at, or can we still play strong and finish even though we’re not in the BCS game,” wide receiver Mike Williams said. “That’s something we’ve got to go out and prove. Guys are starting to switch their focus towards that.”

Quarterback Matt Leinart, who attended a quarterback camp at Michigan before his senior season at Santa Ana Mater Dei High, said he was looking forward to playing against the 10-2 Wolverines when the Trojans make their 29th Rose Bowl appearance.

“We’re going to have the home crowd with probably 60,000 or 70,000 SC fans there,” Leinart said. “I know Michigan is going to bring a big crowd, but it’s right in our backyard. The Rose Bowl is kind of a home-field-advantage-type deal, so it’s going to be fun.”

USC will not practice today through Friday because of final exams, but will work out Saturday and Sunday.

Leinart or Williams, however, could be spending the weekend in New York if either or both are among the five finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which will be presented Saturday at the Yale Club.

Wednesday is the deadline for Heisman voters to submit ballots.

Williams, offensive lineman Jacob Rogers and defensive end Kenechi Udeze -- all named to the All-America team selected by the Football Writers Assn. of America -- will be among a USC contingent traveling to Orlando, Fla., for an awards show on Thursday.

Williams, also one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award that is presented to the nation’s top receiver, said he was not interested in individual awards.

He said Leinart, who passed for 35 touchdowns with nine interceptions, deserved to be among the Heisman finalists because of his performance as the successor to 2002 Heisman winner Carson Palmer.

“I keep telling people to just kind of sweep me under the rug because Matt had the biggest shoes to fill in all of college football, at any position, and I think he did it very well,” Williams said.

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Udeze, who had his right arm in a sling, said an MRI exam Monday revealed a slight tear in his right rotator cuff. Udeze said he sustained the injury in the first quarter against Oregon State on Saturday. He is expected to rest the next two weeks.... Tight end Gregg Guenther, who suffered a left knee sprain, also will be out two weeks, Carroll said.... Nick Holt was introduced as Idaho’s new coach Monday, but Carroll said he would still help the Trojan linebackers prepare for the Rose Bowl and coach in the game. “There are some critical times in the process of putting together our plan that I want his input,” Carroll said. Safeties coach Rocky Seto will oversee the linebackers if Holt is absent. ... Quarterback John David Booty threw passes in some light drills for the first time since fracturing his left wrist on Nov. 22 against UCLA. ... Freshman running back Chauncey Washington (ankle) will return to practice Saturday, Carroll said.