Booty's progress minimal

Quarterback John David Booty threw without a glove on Tuesday for the first time since breaking his finger against Stanford on Oct. 6.

Booty said it was different after throwing with a glove last week at practice but said the pain has subsided since last week.

"The pain wasn't really that bad today," Booty said. "So that's a good sign for me. I'm getting feeling better in my finger and gripping the ball."

Booty said Thursday will be the most important day in terms of determining his progress.

He said his velocity was much better than it was last week.

"For the most part, it surprised me a little with the velocity on it," Booty said. "So to me that's a good sign."

USC coach Pete Carroll said getting Booty's velocity back up to where it should be is the most important thing. But Carroll said Booty is still not where he should be.

"He wasn't all the way back," Carroll said. "This isn't John at his best. We just have to check it out

tomorrow."

Redshirt sophomore Mark Sanchez continued to get most of the snaps at practice and is looking forward to possibly making his third start of the season this Saturday.

But he said the return of Booty to practice Tuesday didn't motivate him any more.

"I'm motivated as can be," Sanchez said. "Once you get a taste of it, you never want to stop. You can't just have one good game, it's got to be a consistent thing."

Sanchez is also excited about the prospects of playing against high school teammate Nick Reed, who starts at defensive end at Oregon and leads the team with 7.5 sacks.

"The coaches on our staff said great things about him, so I know he's doing well just like in high school," Sanchez said.

Sanchez said he has never played against Reed, but Sanchez did play at the end of USC's win against Oregon last year. His one pass was

intercepted.

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Offensive guard Chilo Rachal threw his helmet to the ground in frustration and left practice after his injured knee flared up.

"He lost it, because he could feel his leg more than he wanted to," Carroll said. "The swelling from his knee went into his calf. It's giving him problems, and he can't get through it yet."

Rachal, however, is expected to play this Saturday.

Offensive tackle Sam Baker participated minimally at practice after missing Saturday's game against Notre Dame because of a hamstring injury.

"He's not ready yet, but he's closer," Carroll said. "He's just trying to see what he can and can't do."

Baker said he's not sure if he will have an MRI but just wants to play again Saturday.

"It's just one of those things where I want to get back," Baker said.

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Tailback Stafon Johnson played against Notre Dame on Saturday after missing two games in a row because of a sprained ankle.

Johnson said his ankle is still not at 100 percent but is getting better.

"I'm just taking it slow and getting my rest," Johnson said.

Johnson said the pain is getting better and his ankle didn't hurt the day after the game.

"Sideways ankle-running [sic] hurts now," Johnson said. "I got better at straight-ahead, so now I'm just working at running sideways."

Johnson ran for 47 yards against Notre Dame, despite the injury.

"I was surprised I got that many carries, but I need it," Johnson said. "Now I'm getting back on track and getting my reads."

Johnson said he is ready to play against Oregon and said he's heard a lot about the atmosphere at Autzen Stadium

"I heard it's crazy," Johnson said. "But coach Carroll is making sure we're revved up for that."