Trojans Get Close to Full Strength

The only thing brighter than the sunshine that splashed USC’s practice field Saturday was the Trojans’ outlook after one of their most spirited workouts since the end of the regular season.

USC has spent the last three weeks nursing several key players back to full strength. Nearly all of them are on track to start or contribute when the top-ranked Trojans play fourth-ranked Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

All-American defensive end Kenechi Udeze took part in contact drills for the first time since injuring his right shoulder against Oregon State on Dec. 6.

“For the most part, it was pretty good,� said Udeze, who has 13 1/2 sacks.

Tight end Gregg Guenther also absorbed hits for the first time since injuring his knee against Oregon State.

Linebacker Melvin Simmons no longer appears slowed by the bruised lower leg that plagued him during the latter part of the regular season, and fullback Brandon Hancock, who sat out the last two games because of a bruised knee, is running and cutting without hesitation.

In addition, senior defensive end Omar Nazel has returned from what was thought to be season-ending thumb surgery.

“[Guenther] was probably the one we were most concerned about, so we’re back on track,� Coach Pete Carroll said.

The Trojans have not practiced in full pads for weeks. Carroll said they remain in helmets, shorts and shoulder pads to avoid any setbacks or new injuries.

“We’ll try to get prepared to play real fast on game day and kind of hope for the best on the physical side of it,� he said.

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The Pacific 10 Conference was 2-0 start in postseason play after Oregon State defeated New Mexico, 55-14, in the Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday and California beat Virginia Tech, 52-49, in the Insight Bowl on Friday.

Carroll said he has changed his viewpoint on the importance of the Pac-10’s bowl-game performance.

“It’s important,� he said. “I didn’t think that a couple years ago, but now I do. I think it’s important how we match up outside of our conference,� he said. “[When] everybody’s having their days when they can beat anybody in the conference, it makes it look like maybe nobody’s really tough or whatever.

“But I think it’s the other way around. I think its a great conference with, obviously, great speed and great offense and great skill players. So we’ll see if we can do our part too.�

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Linebackers coach Nick Holt, who was hospitalized for two days because of a viral form of spinal meningitis, returned to practice and said he felt fine.... Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu practiced after sitting out the last two workouts because of travel-related issues.... The Trojans took part in the Lawry’s Beef Bowl and will attend the Laker-Celtic game tonight. Michigan will get its turn at Lawry’s on Monday.