USC assistant coach Ruel not planning to leave for NFL
USC offensive line coach Pat Ruel has received job offers from NFL teams the past two years, but Ruel said he intends to remain with the Trojans next year even if he is courted again by a pro team.
"What I really want is another championship. I want to be back in that atmosphere," Ruel said. "It crushed me that we didn't make it back last year."
Ruel spent five years in the NFL before coming to USC in 2005.
"There's always a pretty good opportunity we can get to (the BCS title game)," he said. "I don't really see a reason to change."
Broken wrist
Linebacker Kaluka Maiava discovered Wednesday he broke his wrist several weeks ago.
"It was broken for sure," Maiava said. "They didn't know all this time."
In the spotlight
Freshman tailback Marc Tyler (Oaks Christian of Westlake Village) broke some runs in practice as the reserves get more playing time in the bye week.
"He looks like a classic tailback in the mold of Chauncey (Washington), he can do all the stuff," Carroll said. "I don't think we'll split him out a lot although he did it in high school. I think he'll weigh about 225 pounds.
"He's real instinctive. It's taken him awhile. He's having fun and juiced up."
Carroll noted freshman quarterback Aaron Corp looked stronger than he remembered and that Arkansas transfers Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams used their familiarity to their advantage.
"There's no doubt they played together," Carroll said. "Mitch counts on Damian at times."
Freshman offensive tackle Martin Coleman also impressed the coaches during his second day of contact since returning from off-season shoulder surgery.
"Pat (Ruel) is excited about his foot quickness," Carroll said.
Too many questions
Safety Taylor Mays received a cortisone shot Tuesday in his sprained ankle and wore a protective boot on his foot. But he took the boot off Wednesday because too many people inquired about his injury.
"I got asked all day, it was too much," Mays said.
Mays originally sprained the ankle against Notre Dame.
Meanwhile, defensive end Kyle Moore received a special brace for his hand that allows him to grasp things. Moore bruised a nerve in his arm and was unable to close his hand.
"I don't know what it means for the (Arizona State) game," Carroll said.
Moore said he intends to play.
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