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After one last preseason workout at Southern California, the Trojans headed to Hawaii on Tuesday night.
And it wasn't for a restful vacation, no matter how much they need it.
The Trojans realize reinforcements for their depleted program aren't arriving any time soon, so their fate rests in their ability to stay on the field through every bump and bruise. Several of coach Lane Kiffin's players are nursing minor injuries, and a handful are out - including their backup center and their most talented freshman receiver.
But Kiffin finally has his preferred offensive line together just a few days before the 14th-ranked Trojans open at Aloha Stadium on Thursday night, and he's cautiously optimistic he can keep a healthy, competitive team on the field beyond the opener.
USC has been careful to avoid using injuries and personnel shortages as excuses this month, even if they might turn out to be legitimate reasons for any struggles.
''We don't make excuses, because we've got the ability to be successful with whatever guys are out there,'' starting tailback Marc Tyler said.
Still, Kiffin says he ran a lighter camp after realizing he couldn't afford many injuries on a team fighting through significant scholarship cuts and several transfers by reserve players after crippling NCAA sanctions.
USC held full-contact drills only once, and it was back in the opening week of camp. The scrimmages were about safety first, and some units - such as the offensive line - have avoided full-speed drills whenever possible.
''Once we realized where our numbers were at, this wasn't like what we put our kids through last year (at Tennessee),'' Kiffin said. ''We spent more time in the weight room, more time in the film room.''
Yet several veteran players believe the camp was more physical than anything they endured during the tenure of coach Pete Carroll, who got remarkable results from practices packed with hundreds of observers and featuring unorthdox drills built into high-intensity workouts.
''This is probably the hardest camp we've all been through since I got here,'' said Tyler, named the first-string tailback just a few days ago. ''The coaching staff is the best. When they came here, everybody bought in, and we've been practicing for a long time. Everybody is committed to showing that SC is still SC.''
With a little bit of NFL injury management thrown in, at least when dealing with the media, Kiffin has been deliberately vague about many injuries, usually just saying whether his players participated in practice.
Sophomore offensive guard Khaled Holmes has been hobbled, but Kiffin said he'll attempt to start against the Warriors. So will defensive lineman Nick Perry, while backup quarterback Mitch Mustain plans to be available after being limited in practice throughout the week.
The news wasn't as good on backup center Abe Markowitz, who had surgery Tuesday on a foot injury and will be out for several weeks. USC also is planning to redshirt receiver Kyle Prater, one of the top prospects in last season's high school class, after lower-body injuries hampered his development.
The Trojans tromped through LAX en masse Tuesday to make a commercial flight they bought out in its entirety since they were unable to use their usual charter company. They're still staying at a posh resort on Oahu's west side, and they plan to hang out Friday for a little relaxation before coming home to prepare for next weekend's home opener against Virginia.
''In our preparation and in guys' mindsets, we're ready,'' quarterback Matt Barkley said. ''When we're in the locker room, I'm hearing talk about how ready we are to play, and how we can't wait to get on the field. We know we've prapared hard and well.''
