Linebacker Rivers Is Healthy, Ready to Play

Keith Rivers produced the best performance of his college career in USC’s most dramatic victory, the 34-31 win at Notre Dame.

The sophomore linebacker recorded a game-high 12 tackles, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble against the Fighting Irish on Oct. 15. He suffered a hamstring injury the next week against Washington.

Rivers said Thursday that he expects to be at full strength when top-ranked USC plays second-ranked Texas in the Rose Bowl. He has been working as part of the first unit with junior middle linebacker Oscar Lua and freshman strong-side linebacker Brian Cushing.

“It’s been the most frustrating thing of my college career -- to have a big game and not be able to come out and do it again and again,” Rivers said after practice.

“Hopefully I can pick up where I left off.”

USC is counting on the speedy, 6-foot-3, 220-pound Rivers to help neutralize a Texas offense led by quarterback Vince Young, the Longhorns’ leading rusher.

“He’s one of the fastest guys out here,” Coach Pete Carroll said of Rivers. “There’s a time when that’s going to come into play in this game.

“They’ve got extremely fast players on their offense and we’re going to have to run them down at times. The more speed you have the better, always.”

Rivers’ injury plagued him throughout the second half of the season, forcing him to sit out most of two games and all of another two, including the finale against UCLA. He finished tied for fourth on the team in tackles.

Carroll said he would wait before deciding whether to start Rivers or senior Collin Ashton against Texas. Both will play.

“Either one of those guys can play to keep us at a high level,” Carroll said. “I’m just glad to have him back.”

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USC and Texas visited Disneyland on Thursday afternoon after their practices.

Most of the players headed for the rides but park officials guided a handful of stars into a roped-off area in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart sought out Young and they hugged. Later, the two joined Reggie Bush for a photo session with Mickey Mouse.

Fans had gathered around -- many dressed in USC colors -- and began to chant Bush’s name.

“I can’t beat it,” Young said. “It’s the Reggie show.”

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Baseball Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson was among the crowd at practice and Carroll warmly greeted him.

Anderson, who attended Dorsey High, said he grew up in a house that was located in what is now right field at USC’s baseball stadium, Dedeaux Field, which is located next to USC’s practice fields.

Anderson said he did not attend the university, but recalled the years he spent around it as a youngster and said, “This is what made me.”

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Linebacker Thomas Williams (knee) participated in drills and said he hoped to play against Texas. Receiver Greig Carlson (groin) ran lightly with the team for the first time in more than a month and said he was uncertain whether he would be in uniform for the Rose Bowl.... Receiver Whitney Lewis attended meetings but did not practice because of a bruised sternum, Carroll said. Lewis was hurt during practice on Wednesday. X-rays taken Thursday were negative, a USC spokesman said.