Younger Players Will Get Chances

Roster restrictions, hostile environments and stubborn opponents prevented top-ranked USC from rotating players as it had hoped against Oregon and Arizona State.

On Thursday, Coach Pete Carroll said freshman middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and freshman receiver Patrick Turner were among those expected to receive extended playing time against Arizona on Saturday at the Coliseum. He also said sophomore defensive end Jeff Schweiger and junior linebacker Ryan Powdrell would play.

Carroll, however, stopped short of saying that the game against the struggling Wildcats would offer the heavily favored Trojans more opportunities to play reserves.

“I’m not going there,” said Carroll, whose team has won 26 consecutive games and 22 in a row at the Coliseum. “We’re trying to get our guys playing time, anyway, and we need to get them in the rotation.”

Arizona, under second-year Coach Mike Stoops, is 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference after last week’s 28-0 loss to California.

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Middle linebacker Oscar Lua returned to practice and said the gash on his right pinky finger, which also was dislocated during practice on Tuesday, was healing.... Defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey (ankle) practiced but said it was more to gauge his progress than to prepare for Arizona. Ramsey said he probably would be ready for Notre Dame next week. Redshirt freshman Fili Moala is expected to start again in Ramsey’s place against Arizona.... Freshman safety Kevin Ellison said he would have arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday. If doctors confirm that reconstruction is needed, he will also have that done the same day.... Fewer than 2,000 tickets remain for Saturday’s game.... USC announced that off-site parking would be available the rest of the season at Staples Center and the Los Angeles County Autopark. Parking at both facilities is $10. Shuttles from Staples Center begin four hours before the game and stop running an hour after the game. Shuttles from the autopark begin two hours before kickoff and end an hour after the game.