The Trojans practiced Thursday for about 70 minutes in half pads, emphasizing kickoff and punt returns during the special teams periods, before heading to LAX for their charter to Nebraska.

• Pete Carroll acknowledged that Nebraska won’t utilize the same conservative offensive game plan as last year: “I think they’re going to mix a lot more and move it around to all the good receivers they have.” But the coach articulated the key to USC’s defensive approach: “We have to stop (RB) Marlon Lucky…He’ll control the game if we don’t get after it in the running game. I think they would like nothing more than to do that.”
• Carroll attempted to allay some of the concerns that have emerged since Josh Pinkard went down for the season on Tuesday, suggesting that losing the junior CB/S isn’t as drastic a situation as it appears because Cary Harris started all of last season at cornerback and has had great preparation for the 2007 season: “We don’t miss as much as we don’t get the addition of what Josh could bring.”
• Junior Clay Matthews will start at linebacker in Brian Cushing’s place against Nebraska because the later’s ankle is still bothering him, but Cushing will dress for the game and may see the field.
• No decision has been made as to who will start at right tackle on Saturday, but both sophomore Charles Brown and senior Drew Radovich will play, Carroll told reporters.
• The Trojans will practice at a local high school at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Receivers ready for the big stage (LA Times)
USC safety Mays is more aware (LA Daily News)
Dispatch from Howard Jones (Trojan Ticker)