SC NOTEBOOK: DEFENSE MEETS TO HEAD OFF TROUBLE : BY SCOTT WOLF STAFF WRITER.

USC's defense held a players-only meeting after practice Wednesday to make sure it erased any lingering frustration over the offensive problems last weekend against Arizona.

``Everybody's waiting for 'SC to fall apart and that's why we called the meeting,'' said free safety David Gibson, who is also a team captain. ``We just talked about how when you are 3-2, you can have animosity. There would have been some blame but never any finger-pointing.''

Gibson said about 10 players spoke, and the main theme was that the season is far from over with seven regular-season games left.

``We need to rededicate ourselves to having a great defense,'' Gibson said. ``As a defense, we have to pull together. The offense has been injured and sputtering, it's not their fault. We have so much talent, to let Arizona score 31 points is a disgrace.''

Soward update: Wide receiver R. Jay Soward spoke to USC coach Paul Hackett after practice. One would assume that Soward was discussing the concussion he suffered against Arizona.

Instead, Hackett filled him in on the team meeting that he missed Wednesday afternoon.

``I couldn't find a place to park,'' Soward said.

Soward underwent a magnetic-resonance imaging test Monday and the results were negative.

Soward said he empathizes with Florida State wide receiver Peter Warrick, who was charged with felony grand theft after he and teammate Laveranues Coles were videotaped buying more than $400 worth of merchandise for $21.40 last month, with the aide of a store clerk.

The pair got to know each other last summer, while spending a few days in Arizona as members of Playboy's All-American team.

``I never expected it to happen to him,'' Soward said. ``I say it's the (clerk's) fault. Anybody in America who could buy that much clothing for that price would do the same thing.

``I feel bad for him because he's the Heisman front-runner. If everything goes good, we'll both be in the NFL next year.''

Big bet: Hackett said he called Joe Montana on Wednesday to renew his annual bet over the outcome of the Notre Dame-USC game.

The stakes are a case of wine.

``I told him there are a couple extra seats on the plane, he could come, and he said, `I don't think so,' '' Hackett said.

Hackett said the bet didn't always take place during the Irish's 13-year unbeaten streak from 1983-95.

``I kind of ducked out of it,'' he said.

Injury update: Left tackle Brent McCaffrey (ankle) and left guard Donta Kendrick (ankle) each practiced for one period Wednesday and Hackett thought they would be OK for the game. He did not know if they would be able to start.

New wide receiver? Hackett said true freshman safety Sandy Fletcher has been so impressive playing wide receiver on the scout team that he might play the position full-time next season.

Meanwhile, Miguel Fletcher of Alemany High has officially moved back to tailback after playing defensive back last season.