Despite their focus on Saturday's game against UCLA, some USC players could not get their minds off the news that USC might play its future games in the Rose Bowl instead of the Coliseum.
After talks broke down between USC and the Coliseum Commission, USC looked into the possibility of playing its home games over the next two years in Pasadena.
But the concept of a new home stadium hit hard for a few Trojans who grew up in the area.
Defensive end Lawrence Jackson, an Inglewood native, said he would like to see the Trojans remain in the Coliseum because of the program's history in the stadium.
"Ever since I was a kid, the Trojans have played in the Coliseum, and I just couldn't imagine them in the Rose Bowl," Jackson said.
Running back Stafon Johnson, who grew up in Bellflower, played in the Coliseum during a high school championship game while attending Dorsey High School. The Coliseum has a place close to Johnson's heart after being part of the stadium's
history.
"The Coliseum is a place where everyone dreams to be," said Johnson, who had not learned of the possible move to the Rose Bowl until informed after practice Wednesday. "Just the feeling of all the guys that came through there, it makes you feel so good to even be playing in that type of atmosphere."
USC coach Pete Carroll has tried to keep away talk of a potential stadium switch.
"This is in the business rooms right now, so I don't really know anything about it," Carroll said.
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With a Pac-10 championship and Rose Bowl appearance on the line, the rivalry between USC and UCLA has reached its annual crescendo.
But a number of coaches and players for both the Trojans and the Bruins have ties to both schools.
USC linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr., played at UCLA from 1984-1987 before going on to star for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. Second-year UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker was an assistant coach at USC during Carroll's first year with the Trojans.
Both have found homes coaching for the rival schools.
Carroll said that the level of familiarity between the players and coaches in the two programs only increases the intensity of the rivalry.
"There certainly is a factor when you know the guys you're playing against and some of the guys are in the same schools," Carroll said. "That adds to just the juice of the game."
Running back Marc Tyler's father, Wendell, played running back for the Bruins in the mid-'70s. Marc Tyler turned down an offer from UCLA, among other schools, to play at USC.
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Carroll has allowed middle linebacker Luthur Brown to play outside linebacker this week and said he was pleased with the results.
With Rey Maualuga and Thomas Williams firmly entrenched at middle linebacker, the coaching staff has experimented with moving the redshirt sophomore to the other linebacker positions.
"He's looked really comfortable playing out there," Carroll said. "I've been really surprised with how he's played assignment-wise, so he's been really good."
Williams, who rooms with Brown, helped inspire the move. Carroll said that Brown wanted to earn the label of "most versatile linebacker" that Williams has earned after playing all three linebacker positions throughout his career.
Carroll said having players who can play multiple positions like Brown is a great benefit to the team.
"It's like having a few extra guys who can travel with you," Carroll said.
