Freshman Quarterback Will Keep a Cool Head

Mark Sanchez wanted to eliminate distractions. So the freshman quarterback arrived at USC’s afternoon practice Saturday sporting a shaved head.

“It was a fresh start into college,” Sanchez said. “I just felt like I needed a new look. Forget about worrying about my hair and focus on the field.”

Sanchez, who displayed impressive accuracy during most of the first two days of practice, struggled with new plays in the final split-squad workout, throwing several interceptions.

But he has clearly emerged as the leader of the freshmen, most of whom will practice with veterans for the first time today in USC’s first full-squad workout.

New players ended Saturday’s practice by performing a punitive set of calisthenics. The players lost a football they were charged with protecting from upperclassmen -- a violation of Coach Pete Carroll’s mantra about taking care of the ball.

Sanchez said he intended to call the new players together Saturday night.

“We’ll have a meeting about the ball, and probably just getting ready for [today] and keeping our heads up,” Sanchez said. “It will be easier for me to not necessarily preach to them, but almost like a testimony-type thing, you know, having a rough day today and just keep your head up because these guys are still going to be with you.”

Carroll said he was eager to see the new players on the field with the veterans for the first time.

“It’s not a one-day evaluation, but it is the first indicator we get on them,” he said.

Heralded freshman receiver Patrick Turner, who has not practiced because of a heel bruise, probably will work out for the first time Monday, according to Carroll.

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USC lost its most versatile, and perhaps valuable, offensive lineman when John Drake completed his eligibility last season.

Senior Taitusi Lutui is stepping into the role without missing a beat.

Lutui started every game at right tackle in 2004. During spring practice, he was supplanted, as expected, by Winston Justice, a two-year starter who was suspended last season.

Lutui took snaps at tackle and both guard positions during the first three days of training camp.

“Not center,” Lutui said, laughing. “I’m not smart enough to play center.”

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Senior John Walker did a brief stint at receiver last season, but the senior returned to defense and is regarded as the Trojans’ third cornerback. He will play in obvious passing situations. “I’m more comfortable playing defense,” he said. “I like to hit.”

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USC canceled today’s morning practice and will work out only once in the afternoon.... The Trojans will hold a scrimmage at the Coliseum on Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. Admission is free.... After Reggie Bush ran through the defense in the morning workout, sophomore Desmond Reed did likewise in the afternoon. “It just gives us more and more reason for wanting to find ways to get the ball to him and do things with him,” Carroll said.... Freshman linebacker Luthur Brown, who had been nursing a sore back, practiced for the first time and got into a brief shoving match with players on offense.... Former USC All-American Brad Budde, the 1979 Lombardi Award winner, observed the morning workout.