School’s Out for Ferrell

Coach Pete Carroll, who has been sporting vintage Rose Bowl sweatshirts at USC practices this week, kept to the “Old School” theme Thursday.

After the top-ranked Trojans completed a full-contact scrimmage, actor and USC alumnus Will Ferrell, decked out in a Trojan home uniform and helmet, was ushered onto the field.

“Let’s go streaking!” yelled some of the surprised players, in reference to Ferrell’s nude jogging scene in the movie comedy “Old School.”

“He’s one of my favorite actors,” sophomore linebacker Dallas Sartz said. “That guy is hilarious.”

Carroll and USC officials welcomed the light-hearted celebrity stir created by Ferrell -- a marked contrast to their uneasiness last season when O.J. Simpson showed up at an Orange Bowl practice in Davie, Fla.

Carroll sounded like a Hollywood dealmaker in the “The Player,” as he recounted meeting Ferrell at a Laker game a few years ago and arranging for Thursday’s surprise visit through the actor’s agent.

“Only at USC,” said Carroll, who had told players during a pre-practice meeting that an ex-fraternity member might show up to take a few repetitions at tight end.

Ferrell, who appeared for seven seasons on “Saturday Night Live,” was unaware of his destination on Thursday when a college friend picked him up at his home in the morning.

“He showed up at my house at 9 a.m. and my wife was like, ‘You just have to go with him. Don’t ask any questions,’ ” Ferrell said.

After changing into uniform and greeting Trojan players, Ferrell lined up at wide receiver, ran a route and caught a long pass from quarterback Matt Leinart.

“He needs to work on his form a little bit, but he caught the ball,” Leinart said. “That’s all that matters, really.”

Ferrell said he hoped to attend the Rose Bowl, “if I can score a ticket,” and enjoyed his visit with the Trojans.

“As you can tell, I intimidate a lot of guys with the way I fill out this uniform,” Ferrell said. “Hopefully, I won’t throw them off their quest.”

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After practice, Carroll and assistants Lane Kiffin and Greg Burns were scheduled to be part of a USC contingent that was to fly to Ohio for a recruiting visit with high school standout Ted Ginn.