Trojans Pause for a Break

Shortly after USC completed its final bye-week practice Thursday, several players from in and out of state prepared to say goodbye to Southern California for a few days.

Sophomore wide receiver Mike Williams is heading home to Florida. Redshirt freshman Kyle Williams is off to Texas, and freshman running back LenDale White is returning to Colorado.

But the player most eager to catch an early-morning flight today is probably freshman quarterback John David Booty.

Unlike his teammates, who went home during the Trojans’ first bye week in September, Booty is returning to Shreveport, La., for the first time since arriving in the Southland during the summer.

“I can’t wait,” said Booty, who split repetitions with starter Matt Leinart this week. “I’m just going to hang out, kick it and see my friends and family.”

Booty was regarded as the top high school quarterback in the Class of 2004 before he decided to forgo his senior season at Evangel Christian Academy and enroll at USC.

*

With no game until Nov. 15 at Arizona, Coach Pete Carroll gave his players today and Saturday off. The Trojans will practice Sunday night.

Before the Trojans left the field, Carroll said, he told his players to “take care of business just like we’ve been doing for a long time. Make good decisions, and set travel plans so you’re not rushing to get back.”

*

The first-string offense and first-string defense again were matched in most competitive drills.

“It was ones against ones all week,” Carroll said. “You can’t do much better than that.”

USC coaches, however, could not resist using the bye week to evaluate players who are redshirting.

Freshmen offensive linemen Sam Baker, Drew Radovich and Ryan Kalil worked with the second unit.

*

Linebacker Matt Grootegoed was held out of most competitive drills because of soreness in his left ankle.

On Tuesday, Grootegoed made it through a complete practice for the first time in more than three weeks. But Carroll said lingering soreness might prevent Grootegoed from full participation until Tuesday.

Carroll compared Grootegoed’s injury to the high ankle sprain suffered by safety Troy Polamalu last season.

“It’s not going away,” Carroll said. “He’s going to have to deal with it.”

*

Freshman running back Chauncey Washington could not practice because of lingering pain from the high ankle sprain he sustained against Hawaii. Carroll said Washington would be out for at least a week.... Defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey (shoulder) did not practice. Cornerback Will Poole (back) and linebacker Melvin Simmons (leg) were held out of most contact drills.