Long Beach Press Telegram: Some on 'SC chastized on bus after loss

Several younger USC players were chastised on the bus ride to the airport following the Oregon State game for not displaying the proper reaction to the Trojans' first regular-season loss since 2003.  "The younger guys didn't know how to take it, some guys were joking around and (assistant coach Todd McNair) got mad and yelled at them," wide receiver Steve Smith said.  USC coach Pete Carroll said he was on the bus with McNair and downplayed the incident as "low key," but Carroll said he is concerned about how the new players react to a loss.

"It is something we're trying to convey and demonstrate," Carroll said. "There's a certain way we want to conduct ourselves."

Williams to FB

Linebacker Thomas Williams was moved to fullback for the rest of the season because Carroll said he wanted a "physical presence."  "We're going to find a spot for him," Carroll said. "He can identify the defense."

Trojan tidbits

Linebacker Rey Maualuga pulled his groin against Oregon State and will sit out parts of practice this week. Maualuga said he did not stretch as much before the game because he knew he would sit out the first half after being late for a team meeting.  ... Linebacker Dallas Sartz did not practice Tuesday because of a sore leg. ... Fullback Stanley Havili will need at least another week off before returning from a broken ankle.  

 

Van benched self

After UCLA cornerback Rodney Van was beaten on a 34-yard reception by Washington State's Jason Hill, he made a decision he believed was heady, and in the best interest of his team.

Van benched himself.  He was already beaten for three touchdowns in Saturday's 37-15 loss, and the 34-yard catch was the third straight Wazzu play on which Van gave up a completion. Freshman Alterraun Verner, from Mayfair High, took over, and Wazzu was held to a field goal on the drive as the Bruins remained in striking distance at 23-15 late in the third quarter.  "I pulled myself out of the game because, honestly, I felt I was hurting our team. I honestly did," Van said. "I felt things were going wrong for me. I don't like playing in a game when I know there's somebody else behind me.  "We have a big motto on our board: Don't let your teammates down. Saturday, I felt I was letting my teammates down. I'm glad I did it because it showed my level-headedness and team spirit."  Van, a junior, said in hindsight he is concerned his decision would be misinterpreted as quitting on his teammates. Van, a stand-up guy, said he believed Verner was a better option at that point.  "That's my one regret, that people don't see the true meaning of it," Van said. "They may see it and think I was quitting on my team, or walking away from a challenge. That, by no means, is the case. I just felt like it wasn't my day, and I thought Verner could come in and cool the fire down."

Van worked with UCLA's first-team defense at practice, and is gearing up to face the Pacific-10's top passing team this Saturday at No. 10 California.

Bruin bits

Injured starting quarterback Ben Olson (knee) went through some individual drills Tuesday, iced his knee and then said his latest target date for a return is Nov. 11, when the Bruins host Oregon State. ... Coach Karl Dorrell said receiver Terrence Austin, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, should play at Cal. ... Dorrell reiterated that receiver Joe Cowan (knee) and defensive back Michael Norris (knee) would likely redshirt. Neither played this season.