USC NOTEBOOK: GETTING TOUGH ON FIGHTING.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

With player altercations making headlines in the NBA and last weekend's Clemson-South Carolina game, USC has drawn up a new policy regarding fighting in athletic contests.

--If a player starts a fight in a game, he will be suspended for one year.

--If the player goes into the stands, his scholarship will be terminated.

--If a player is attacked by another, the player is to defend himself, then separate immediately. The brawling is not to continue.

--No one will be afforded the right to empty the bench to participate in a fight. To do so will result in the suspension of the player.

``It's a shame what happened (in the Clemson-South Carolina game),'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``It takes something away from the game.''

The policy applies to all sports.

--Big weekend: USC will have nine recruits visiting this weekend during the Notre Dame game, most from out of state. The top prospects are tailback Jonathan Stewart of Olympia, Wash., defensive tackle Callahan Bright of Bryn Mawr, Pa., linebacker Eugene Hayes of Madison, Fla., and linebacker Brian Cushing of Oradell, N.J.

Bright is ranked the fifth-best player and Stewart the 11th-best in the nation, according to Rivals.com. Hayes is No. 31, and Cushing is No. 50.

Also visiting are safety Adam Myers-White of Hamilton, Ohio, offensive lineman Josh McNeil of Collins, Miss., linebacker Neefy Moffett of Melbourne, Fla., and linebacker Kevin Ellison of Redondo Beach.

``We do have a lot of guys, it's the biggest group yet,'' Carroll said. ``Obviously, the game is a big deal and they'll see the meetings and how things go.''

Also scheduled to visit is cornerback Myron Rolle of Princeton, N.J., considered one of the top juniors in the country. Rolle is a friend of USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett.

--What about Bush? While questions flowed toward quarterback Matt Leinart this week about the Notre Dame game's significance toward his Heisman Trophy hopes, it could also be a make-or-break contest for tailback Reggie Bush.

``It's hard to say how important it is because it's my first time being up for the Heisman Trophy,'' Bush said. ``It would mean a lot for me, though, to get to go to New York.''

--Drake improves: Offensive guard John Drake practiced and impressed Carroll with his agility.

``That's a real surprise,'' Carroll said.

Carroll said he hasn't decided if Drake could start, but that appears unlikely right now.

One player who won't start is senior cornerback Kevin Arbet, who is still not 100 percent recovered from a sprained knee.

``I'm just going to play in the nickel (defense),'' Arbet said.

Linebacker Matt Grootegoed got kicked in the knee during practice, but Carroll said the injury was not serious.

--Thanksgiving plans: USC practices this morning, and then players will be given the rest of the day off. Bush said he will drive home to San Diego, while defensive end Jeff Schweiger will meet his family in Fresno.

Out-of-state players, like linebacker Keith Rivers of Florida, will join their teammates for Thanksgiving dinner.

``I think (assistant coach) Rocky Seto's feeding half of them,'' Carroll said.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com