Holt Is Out of Hospital

USC linebackers coach Nick Holt, who experienced a whirlwind month during which he was named head coach at Idaho, was released from the hospital Friday morning after being treated for a viral form of spinal meningitis.

Holt, 41, said he sought treatment for what he thought was a bad case of flu early Wednesday morning.

At the hospital, he underwent a battery of tests, including a brain scan and spinal tap. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics during a two-night hospital stay.

The viral form of spinal meningitis is not contagious and not as problematic as the bacterial form of the illness.

“I hadn’t been feeling 100% for about the last month,” Holt said in a phone interview from his home. “I really started feeling bad after practice on Tuesday but thought it was just flu, which I usually get for a day, and then it goes away.

“This one didn’t go away.”

The Trojans were off Wednesday and Thursday. Holt, who had been shuttling back and forth to Idaho during breaks in the Trojans’ bowl-preparation schedule, missed Friday’s practice but said he planned to return today if he is feeling up to it.

“I just can’t overdo it,” he said.

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Junior defensive end Kenechi Udeze said he would return to practice today for the first time since injuring his right shoulder against Oregon State.

Udeze, who suffered a slight tear in his rotator cuff, has performed conditioning and rehabilitation exercises the last few weeks and is looking forward to playing against Michigan.

“The range of motion has really improved over the last couple of weekends,” Udeze said. “I feel like I’m going to be ready for the game.”

Senior defensive end Omar Nazel practiced for the first time since he had a pin removed from his right thumb and was cleared to play in the Rose Bowl.

“I don’t feel as though I’m far away at all,” said Nazel, who still has a cast on his right wrist. “All I need to do is come out here and bust my butt and everything else will take care of itself.”

Coach Pete Carroll said Nazel would not start against Michigan.

“He’s already played with a cast on so at least he’s functional like that,” Carroll said. “There’s some hope that he could contribute some plays for us.”

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Senior offensive tackle Jacob Rogers practiced, but he did not accompany the team to Disney’s California Adventure so he could continue to recover from flu. Rogers returned to the team’s Century City hotel, where the rest of the Trojans checked in Friday evening.... Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu missed practice because of flight schedules from his family’s home in Massachusetts. Tatupu will not be punished for a late return -- as wide receiver Mike Williams was about two weeks ago -- because coaches were notified in advance, Carroll said.... Linebacker Matt Grootegoed (ankle) took part in light drills, as did sophomore linebacker Oscar Lua, who had major surgery on both knees within the last year.... The Trojans will participate in the annual Lawry’s Beef Bowl today from 4-6 p.m. ... The USC Alumni Assn. will host a pep rally Tuesday at Universal CityWalk from 6-8 p.m. Information: (213) 740-4971.