USC FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: SOMBER DAY FOR HARRIS.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

It was an emotional day for USC cornerback Cary Harris, who attended a funeral for a high school classmate Saturday morning, then drove from Northridge to the Coliseum in time to make warm-ups for the Trojans' game against Washington State.

Harris received permission from USC coach Pete Carroll to arrive late because his friend, Abby Isabela, a classmate at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, died in a car accident and funeral services were held Saturday morning.

``I asked Coach Carroll if it was OK to be late and he said he was more concerned on how I was,'' Harris said. ``I thought I would make it to the game in time but traffic wasn't too bad. My dad went to Crenshaw (High School) and he knew the best way to get there.''

Harris said he dedicated the remainder of the season to Isabela and her family.

``I know she's in a better place and wouldn't want me to be sad,'' Harris said.

Harris played for the second straight game and recorded a tackle. He said he adjusted to being physical at the line of scrimmage with the receivers, which he never did in high school.

``I've got the technique down and I'm way more comfortable,'' Harris said.

--Rivers disappears: Linebacker Keith Rivers started but barely played after the first series as the coaches decided to rest his sore hamstring. Rivers said he could have played but the lopsided score made it unnecessary.

``It wasn't really my call, I wanted to play,'' Rivers said.

Rivers played just two series last week against Washington but was expected to play against Washington State. And he didn't sound 100 percent after the game.

``I'm in a little pain right now,'' he said.

Also in pain was tight end Dominique Byrd, who suffered a hip pointer and didn't return.

``I'm just real numb right now,'' said Byrd, who received a pain injection.

X-rays were negative and Byrd is expected to be available against Stanford. Offensive tackle Winston Justice sprained his shoulder but was OK.

Linebacker Thomas Williams sprained his ankle, which is compounded by the season-long groin injury he has played with.

--Man for all positions: Sophomore Josh Pinkard has played five different positions this season, shuffling between safety, cornerback and linebacker depending on the defensive formation. He's also a gunner on the punt team and plays on the kickoff team. Pinkard recorded 10 tackles against Washington State.

--Approaching record: Tailback LenDale White has rushed for 41 touchdowns and scored 44 overall. He's within reach of former tailback Charles White's school record of 53 touchdowns.