[0] NOTEBOOK: PLAYERS HAVE GAME IN FOCUS.

Byline: - Scott Wolf 

TEMPE, Ariz. - USC held what might have been the shortest players-only meeting ever Friday night on the eve of its game with Arizona State. Depending on who you asked, the gathering lasted between three to five minutes, and players seemed to filter out nearly as soon as it started.

``It wasn't much of a meeting,'' punter Mike MacGillivray said. ``Guys were focused on the game and just wanted to get ready for it.''

No one complained about the length of the gathering, considering USC got off to a fast start against the Sun Devils and opened up its largest lead of the season (35-6) in the third quarter.

It was the first players-only meeting since the Trojans held one the week after their first loss against Oregon State.

--Room service: Officials at USC's team hotel in Phoenix couldn't wait for the Trojans to check out Saturday, because the Washington Redskins arrived for today's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Redskins coach Norv Turner was set to check into the same suite occupied by USC coach Paul Hackett, which was the main reason for the hotel staff's consternation. USC checked out at 4:30 p.m., and the Redskins were scheduled to arrive at 5. Turner was a USC assistant in the 1980s.

Hotel rooms were in short supply in the Phoenix area because of a NASCAR race scheduled for today.

--Four and counting: USC tailback Sultan McCullough already had 103 yards rushing by halftime, his fourth 100-yard game of the season. It's the most for a USC running back since Ricky Ervins had five in 1989.

Both McCullough and Ervins attended Muir High in Pasadena.

--Long boot: USC kicker John Wall of Birmingham High in Encino had his longest kick of the season, but it will only go down as an extra point in the stat book. After wide receiver Steve Stevenson scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, the Trojans were penalized for an excessive celebration.

That meant Wall's extra point was 36 yards. His longest field goal this season is 27 yards.

--Graham gets start: With outside linebacker Markus Steele sidelined with a sprained ankle, sophomore middle linebacker Aaron Graham made the first start of his career. Zeke Moreno moved outside to fill Steele's spot, which allowed Graham to move to the middle.

--Still unshaven: USC quarterback Carson Palmer remained unshaven, although he insists it has nothing to do with the Trojans' losing streak. Palmer said he was unable to buy a razor all week.

--Brother connection: Former Arizona State quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst, the older brother of USC quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst, was the color man for the Arizona State radio broadcast Saturday night.

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Box: USC vs. ARIZONA ST.: A CLOSER LOOK