Booty to Redshirt Season

The circumstances that precipitated the decision were not in the original plan, but USC Coach Pete Carroll on Monday finally confirmed what has appeared obvious for months: Sophomore quarterback John David Booty will redshirt.

“It’s the sixth-game mark, we’re going to hold him out,” Carroll said after the Trojans completed a light practice in intermittent rain.

Booty sustained a bruised nerve when he was hit on the right elbow during training camp in August and only began tossing the ball with team trainers last week.

He played catch with Carroll after practice and then huddled with the coach for about 10 minutes.

Booty said Carroll did not mention redshirting, but he was happy that his status had been determined.

“I’m glad a decision was made and I think it’s going to work out for me and the Trojans in the long run,” Booty said.

If junior Matt Leinart turns pro after this season, Booty would be on track to start next season.

“All along this was an alternative that we thought was quite likely to happen, we just had to play it out and see,” Carroll said. “As luck would have it, getting banged up has kind of forced the issue.

“Hopefully he can get back to practicing and get sharp again and have a good finish to the season so that when we go into spring football he’ll be ready to go again. Bowl preparation and stuff like that will really be important for him.”

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Top-ranked USC’s position atop the first bowl championship series standings did not elicit much reaction from Trojan players, who are preparing for Saturday’s game against Washington.

But with last year’s BCS debacle still fresh in his mind, Carroll was among those perplexed by a system that put Miami ahead of Oklahoma, which is ranked No. 2 in both major polls.

“Yeah, nice job,” he said with a strong dose of sarcasm.

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With rain falling throughout most of a short practice, the Trojans worked extensively on their field that features an artificial surface. It was the first time since the first week of training camp that the new field was utilized by all units.... Safety Scott Ware, who sat out the Arizona State game because of a foot injury, also will sit out Saturday’s game against Washington, Carroll said.... Safety Greg Farr (foot) did agility drills with trainers but said he had not been cleared to practice.