Friday was the first of three consecutive days of bowl practice which will conclude with a scrimmage on Sunday. After two full weeks away from live action following SC’s victory over UCLA, John David Booty practiced Friday and noted that he feels “just like [he] did last year” when he blistered Michigan for 391 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. Incidentally, transfer QB Mitch Mustain will be permitted to practice through Sunday, but because the semester will have ended, he won’t be eligible to practice thereafter or play in the Rose Bowl per NCAA rules. Read on for more notes from Friday.

• 2007 Rose Bowl MVP Brian Cushing, who has announced that he’ll be returning for his senior season in 2008, was held out of part of Friday’s practice with shoulder soreness. The junior linebacker told reporters that his doctors to him he would not require surgery for the ankle fracture and sprain that kept him off the field for much of the season following the first quarter of the opener against Idaho.
• Senior RB Chauncey Washington and sophomore WR Vidal Hazelton missed practice with intestinal illnesses. Senior LB Keith Rivers also missed practice because his ankle is still healing, but he is expected to play in the Rose Bowl.
• RB Stafon Johnson told reporters his left foot feels the best that it has since he injured it against Washington, putting his health at 90-95%: “It’s not even close…I’m starting to do the things I’m capable of doing. Now, it’s more of a trust thing. It doesn’t hurt.”
• The coaching staff hasn’t received news that any players will be declared ineligible because of academics, but they remain concerned that several freshmen could be ruled ineligible for the Rose Bowl, citing the difficult transition to college-level work as the primary potential cause.
• Pete Carroll noted that players would be presented with the game plan for Illinois next week.
• Senior DT Sedrick Ellis and Keith Rivers were named first-team All-Americans by Pro Football Weekly. TE Fred Davis and LB Rey Maualuga were picked for the publication’s second team.

After a layoff, Booty re-energizes his game (LA Times)
USC’s Cushing feeling healthy (LA Daily News)
USC’s Cushing slowed by injuries (Orange County Register)