Possible Move Isn’t Popular

When the NFL announced Thursday that it had agreed in principle to lease terms with the Coliseum, it raised the prospect of USC being displaced temporarily if the stadium is ever remodeled to league specifications.

USC has won 25 consecutive games at the Coliseum.

“I would hate not to be able to play there,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “It would be horrible.”

School officials have said that Dodger Stadium or the Rose Bowl could be temporary alternatives for the Trojans if the NFL finalizes a return to Los Angeles.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and other officials visited with Carroll on campus, but Carroll said the topic did not come up during a 20-minute meeting.

“They can’t just fix it overnight,” Carroll said of the Coliseum. “It’s going to take a while I guess.”

Carroll said the NFL contingent discussed plans to aid in the revitalization of youth football programs in Los Angeles.

“I would think that before too long they’ll make an announcement about really making an effort to really help in our local area,” Carroll said.

Asked, jokingly, if he would have to coach the Saints as part of the deal, Carroll said, “the mini-Saints?”

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Junior middle linebacker Oscar Lua practiced for the first time since suffering a knee injury last week against Stanford, but Carroll said he would wait before deciding if Lua would start, or play, on Saturday against California.

Freshman linebacker Brian Cushing, who sat out Wednesday because of neck soreness, practiced and said results of a bone scan were negative. Cushing could start at the strong-side spot if Thomas Williams starts in place in Lua.

Keith Rivers, who returned from a hamstring injury on Wednesday, will probably start at the weak-side spot.

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Defensive end Frostee Rucker, who has been bothered by back soreness, said he would be ready to start against Cal.... Cornerback John Walker practiced for the first time since suffering an ankle injury against Washington on Oct. 22.... A spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office said it was still awaiting a report from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding an incident in which linebacker Rey Maualuga allegedly punched a man at a Halloween party.