COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT / USC : Mailo Feels Right at Home

The Trojans emerged from the Aloha Stadium locker room after practice Thursday wearing school-issued Hawaiian shirts, although a few had chosen their own designs, including linemen Travis Claridge, Eric Denmon and Faaesea Mailo.

Mailo came by his naturally. He’s Hawaiian, home for a visit in his first game after serving a two-year Mormon mission in Japan.

Mailo is known for packing light. When other players hauled suitcases to Irvine for USC’s two-week training camp, he took little more than a gym bag: two pairs of shorts, three lava-lavas and two T-shirts.

He packed a little heavier for his trip home as the No. 2 left guard for Saturday’s game against Hawaii.

“We have to dress kind of nice, so not too many lava-lavas,” he said. “Shorts, shirts, a couple of pairs of slacks.”

Mailo was planning to go out to dinner Thursday with his family, including his brother, Anipati, a freshman linebacker for Hawaii, and his father, James, who also played there.

“He played for them, but he’s not a die-hard. If anything, he leans toward being a die-hard USC fan,” Mailo said.

*

USC recruited officials from the Honolulu police department to address the team about staying away from trouble in Waikiki, including particular spots to avoid.

One historic problem area for athletes: moped rentals.

“No mopeds--except for coaches,” Coach Paul Hackett said.

The players will have a 10:30 or 11 p.m. curfew tonight, but after the game might be allowed to stay out as late as 2 a.m.

“I said all night, but I was advised to make it 2 or 3,” Hackett said.

*

David Newbury was named to kick field goals and extra points against Hawaii. . . . Cornerback Tanqueray Clark suffered a mildly sprained left ankle in practice but is expected to be OK. . . . The Trojans will visit Pearl Harbor today after practicing at a local high school.