USC football coaches break for high school recruiting
USC FYI
With a bye before Ohio State, Trojan coaches fan out to watch prospective players. The team, led by Mark Sanchez, scrimmages before taking a weekend to relax.
USC running backs coach Todd McNair was out the gate on his way to the airport before today's early-morning practice ended.
Other coaches also were headed out of town, and Coach Pete Carroll was preparing to see three local high school football games this afternoon and evening.
While players were instructed to relax and enjoy a weekend off because of Saturday's open date, Carroll and his staff are hitting the recruiting trail.
"I love this," Carroll said. "This is all you can do with the bye so we're going to go ahead and go for it. You have to use these days wisely."
The day began with a 7 a.m. workout that included a lively scrimmage between starters and reserves.
The reserves intercepted two passes by quarterback Mark Sanchez, one of which defensive lineman Jurrell Casey returned for a touchdown. Sanchez, however, engineered a two-minute drill that ended with a touchdown pass to Patrick Turner for the victory.
Sanchez said he would use the time off this weekend to watch football and study third-ranked Ohio State, which plays Ohio. Sanchez also has DVDs of the Buckeyes.
"We'll keep them on our mind," he said.
Carroll was pleased with the Trojans' bye-week work, especially the play of back-up linebackers, safeties and young offensive linemen.
"Nothing dramatic turned for anybody, but we got guys closer to playing," he said.
Carroll and the Trojans expect Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells to play against the Trojans on Sept. 13.
Wells will not be in the lineup on Saturday against Ohio because of a foot injury suffered against Youngstown State. His status for the USC game remains uncertain.
"We're not worrying over it," Carroll said. "We're just figuring he's going to play and we're going to get their best shot."
gary.klein@latimes.com
