Nunn Won’t Blow Chance

Cornerback Ronald Nunn received clearance Tuesday to put the squeeze on Washington State’s receivers this weekend, but he was instructed not to blow his nose for at least two weeks.

Nunn, a redshirt junior, broke a bone in his right eye socket last Saturday against Washington and was initially projected to sit out a few weeks. But Nunn practiced Tuesday after seeing a specialist earlier in the day, and said he would be ready when the third-ranked Trojans play sixth-ranked Washington State on Saturday at the Coliseum.

“He didn’t think it was going to get any worse as long as I don’t have anymore trauma to my eye,” said Nunn, who returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble against Washington.

Nunn said he was told not to blow his nose or drink out of a straw because it could create air pressure that might cause his eye to swell shut.

“No blowing my nose, that’s the major thing,” Nunn said.

Nunn’s helmet was fitted with a plastic visor and reinforced with three straps. Extra air also was added to the helmet’s padding.

“It’s a lot tighter because they don’t want it to slip down and get anywhere near my eye,” he said.

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Junior linebacker Matt Grootegoed, already a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, was named one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, which honors the nation’s top lineman.

“I’m surprised,” Grootegoed said. “Being a linebacker for that award was kind of strange.”

Grootegoed did not practice again because of the high ankle sprain that forced him to sit out the Washington game, but he said he would play against Washington State.

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With wide receiver Mike Williams nursing a high ankle sprain, freshman Whitney Lewis had another impressive day working at wide receiver.

“I’m just taking it step by step and trying to learn from what [Williams] does,” Lewis said.

Coach Pete Carroll said Lewis looked quicker and more controlled than at any time since arriving for training camp in August.

“He realizes this easily could be a game where he’s playing on a regular basis if Mike can’t go,” Carroll said. Williams has said that he will play.

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Freshman running back LenDale White did not practice again because of blurred vision in his right eye caused by a scratched cornea.

White, who wears contact lenses, said he could not see out of his right eye when he awoke Sunday morning. White said he would practice today if his vision cleared.

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Daryl Gross, a senior associate athletic director, said contingency plans had been discussed if Saturday’s game were to be postponed because of poor air quality caused by the fires in Southern California. Gross, however, said he was confident the game would be played as scheduled because of favorable wind and weather conditions.

The Trojans and Washington State both have an open date on Nov. 29.

Carroll said the coaching staff had been supplied with a list of players with a history of asthma, but none were held out of practice.

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Defensive tackle Shaun Cody did not practice because of stomach flu, Carroll said.... William Buchanon remained at receiver but practiced only briefly because of a stiff back.