LOS ANGELES — After suffering a second knockout blow in three weeks, USC began to lift itself up off the canvas with a spirited Tuesday practice.

Neither Pete Carroll nor his players detected any hangover effect from Saturday’s 55-21 loss to
Stanford that all for all practical purposes removed the Trojans (7-3, 4-3 Pac-10) from Rose Bowl contention.
“That doesn’t exist in this program,” Carroll said. “We’re going to come out here and find reasons and ways to get better and work on things and get going. There’s no dragging around out here at all.”
As recently as Monday, though, the team was “pretty down,” according to quarterback Matt Barkley. It took a couple of days to get over the shock of losing by 34 points on homecoming.
“It’s something that hasn’t really happened to the program while Coach has been here. It’s something we’re not used to,” Barkley said.
“At the same time, it’s a great challenge for us to see how we can respond to it. It definitely was a shock, but it comes to a point where you have to move on. It might sound cliche, but it’s true.
There’s nothing we can do about it.”
WHO’S NO. 2?
The coaches have reopened the competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot during the bye week.
Aaron Corp, who began training camp as the starter before getting hurt, is glad to have a chance to reclaim the backup job after losing it to Mitch Mustain. Neither Mustain nor Corp has had an opportunity to push Barkley for the starting job.
“It is what it is,” Corp said. “Matt’s our guy right now. The coaches are going to stick by him. If I was in his position, I’d want that too.”
WILLIAMS UPDATE
Leading receiver and punt returner Damian Williams remained out because of a high ankle sprain.
Williams was concerned that the injury might be worse and that he had a stress reaction or fracture.
But a post-practice examination did not reveal any breaks, according to a USC spokesman. Carroll said
Williams probably will be held out this week, and Williams isn’t sure if he’ll make it back for UCLA.
“I don’t know. I really don’t,” he said. “It depends on how this week goes. The sooner I get out of the boot, the closer I am to playing. The longer I’m in this thing, the worse my chances look.”
NOTES
Receivers Brice Butler (back) and David Ausberry (calf) also were out. ... Tailback Allen Bradford (bruised foot) did not practice. ... Safety Drew McAllister (hip injury) returned after missing several weeks.