Demoted Maualuga Can Practice

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, who faces possible criminal charges for allegedly punching a man during a party near campus, will continue to practice with the top-ranked Trojans pending the outcome of law enforcement and university investigations, Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday.

Maualuga, however, has been demoted to the scout team. He will dress for Saturday’s game against Stanford, but almost certainly will not play.

“We’re treating this very seriously and have structured a program for Rey to comply to,” said Carroll, who declined to call his action a suspension. “It’s going to take a while for him to work through this because it is a serious situation.”

Maualuga, 18, was arrested and booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery early Tuesday morning, about three hours after the alleged incident occurred outside a house on the 1100 block of W. 29th Street. A Los Angeles Police Dept. spokesman, clarifying information his office distributed Tuesday, said bail was set at $20,000, but Maualuga was released on his own recognizance. Maualuga is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 22.

Frank Mateljian, a spokesman for the L.A. City Attorney’s office, said the LAPD is expected to deliver its report by next week. The city attorney will review the report and decide whether to file charges.

Carroll said he was contacted by Michael Jackson, USC’s vice president of student affairs, but did not have information regarding police or school investigations into the incident.

Jackson did not return messages left at his office or by e-mail.

Maualuga, who is regarded as a future star, has backed up middle linebacker Oscar Lua and also has played on special teams. But he worked with the scout team for the second consecutive day and also was replaced on special teams units.

“It’s been tough,” Maualuga said. “As you know, I can’t say anything right now. I’ll set the record straight [today].”

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A USC official said that the Trojans would exit the field first at halftime against Stanford. The decision comes after an incident Saturday when USC and Washington State jostled in the Coliseum tunnel. The Pacific 10 Conference, reacting to the incident, modified a rule that required the team with the bench closest to the tunnel to exit first. The new policy allows teams to change the order by mutual consent.... Collin Ashton continued to work at weak-side linebacker in place of starter Keith Rivers (hamstring). Ashton also backed up Lua.... Running back Michael Coleman (hip) did not practice and is not expected to play this week, Carroll said.... USC’s game at California on Nov. 12 will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will be televised by ABC.