Players Focus on Future

USC players and coaches met Monday for the first time since the Trojans defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl, but after watching a highlight tape of the victory that clinched a share of the national title the Trojans began focusing on the future.

USC players begin formal off-season weight-training workouts next week. Spring practice starts in March.

“We talked about the work and directed that toward the young guys who haven’t been through the off-season and don’t know what that’s all about,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “I’m concerned about that. Guys who have been here only a semester, they have no idea what it takes

Freshman running back LenDale White said there was no reason to worry.

“It’s going to be hard and we have to fight through it, but we all came from winning programs in some way or another and we all had to put in work before we got here,” White said. “So I know this class is going to fight through it and step up.”

USC will honor the football team and its national champion women’s volleyball and men’s water polo teams at noon on Jan. 21 at Cromwell Field on campus.

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Matt Cassel, who was moved from quarterback to tight end during the season, is working out with the Trojan baseball team as a pitcher and was clocked at 91 mph last week. Cassel is playing baseball for the first time since his junior year at Chatsworth High.... Athletic Director Mike Garrett dismissed a computer company’s multimillion-dollar offer to have USC play Louisiana State as “a real good publicity stunt.” ... Cornerback Kevin Arbet, who sat out all or most of the last two seasons because of a foot injury, said he would submit paperwork to the Pacific 10 Conference on Wednesday to request a sixth year of eligibility.

Defensive linemen Van Brown and Lawrence Jackson are scheduled to have arthroscopic ankle surgery.... Tackle Jacob Rogers, receiver Keary Colbert and defensive back Will Poole are scheduled to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 24 in Mobile, Ala. Center Norm Katnik, cornerback Marcell Allmond, defensive lineman Omar Nazel and linebacker Melvin Simmons are scheduled to play in the Hula Bowl on Saturday.

Freshman quarterback John David Booty was home in Shreveport, La., when LSU won the Sugar Bowl. “I heard a lot of stuff from people,” Booty said. “But it was all in good fun.” ... Season tickets for the 2004 season are on sale.