Shrinking Injured List Gives Trojans a Boost

Buoyed by the return of several players who were sidelined because of injuries, top-ranked USC will enter the Notre Dame game in better shape physically than at any time since the season began, Coach Pete Carroll said Thursday.

Wide receiver Steve Smith, offensive lineman John Drake and cornerback Kevin Arbet will play, though they won’t start Saturday against the Fighting Irish. Receiver Chris McFoy, cornerback Ronald Nunn and safety Scott Ware also are available.

Sophomore defensive tackle Manuel Wright remains out because of a high ankle sprain. Wright will not return until a bowl game.

“The guys that have been out for a while, they’ll be in and out of the lineup,” Carroll said after a morning practice. “We’ll just fit them in and see how they’re going and see if they’re comfortable with the game speed and ... not rely on them solely,” to make all the plays.

Carroll is not peppering his players with tales about the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, which will be renewed for the 76th time.

“I know that some of the traditionalists don’t like to hear that, but it just doesn’t serve us,” Carroll said. “It will be significant as they look back. Hopefully, we can have a good game and call it a good memory.”

Senior tight end Alex Holmes said the players were focused on the game, not the history.

“It’s better to let the fans deal with that stuff,” he said.

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-- Gary Klein