It will be a kick-back Saturday

For the first time in nearly two months, USC players have a free Saturday.

No game. No practice. And for many, apparently, no big plans.

“Recline on the couch, chill, and take a break,” junior cornerback Kevin Thomas said.

“Relax, watch some games, do some rehab-type stuff,” said senior receiver Patrick Turner.

The sixth-ranked Trojans were off Friday, have an open date today and will reconvene for a team meeting Sunday night to begin preparations for next week’s game against Notre Dame.

Along with his usual warning about avoiding potentially troublesome off-the-field situations, Coach Pete Carroll had sent players on their way Thursday night with orders to refrain from working out.

“I’m counting on these guys feeling great going into the week,” Carroll said. “We should feel strong, we should be healed.”

Interested observer

Carroll will no doubt monitor Notre Dame’s game today against Syracuse, and not just because the Fighting Irish, 6-4 after holding on for a victory over Navy last week, are the Trojans’ next opponent.

Carroll also has an interest in Syracuse.

Daryl Gross, Syracuse’s athletic director, is a former USC assistant athletic director who worked under Mike Garrett. When Paul Hackett was fired as coach after the 2000 season, it was Gross who led the search that ultimately netted Carroll.

Shortly after he was hired by Syracuse in December 2004, Gross fired football coach Paul Pasqualoni. He sought input about a replacement from Carroll, who said at the time, “It sounds like he’s looking for a defensive guy. He likes the way we did it here and it sounds like that’s the kind of formula he’s trying to put together.”

Gross hired Texas co-defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, who coached with Carroll at Pacific, North Carolina State and the New York Jets.

Last week, with the Orange 2-8, Robinson was fired effective at the end of the season. He is 9-36 in three-plus seasons.

Quick kick

USC announced that information regarding ticket availability for bowl games will be e-mailed to support group members and season-ticket holders today and mailed to those without e-mail addresses on Nov. 26. The deadline for returning applications is Dec. 4. USC students will be e-mailed about a student-ticket lottery once USC’s bowl destination is determined.

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gary.klein@latimes.com