By Robbie Loeb and Michael Aronson

The Syracuse University football team practiced at Ted Slavin field Friday in preparation for Saturday’s matchup with the University of Southern California Trojans.

Harvard-Westlake’s new offensive coordinator Scot Ruggles organized the practice because of a connection he has to a member of the Orange coaching staff.

“Their football operations coach and I coached together in college,” Ruggles said. “I talked to the administration here and they welcomed them with open arms.”

Syracuse used the field for the players to do walkthroughs of their playbook before Saturday’s game at the Coliseum.

Athletic Director Terry Barnum played football at USC and remains an avid Trojan fan, but he was keen on the idea of having a college football team practice at the school despite being an opponent.

“I am a Trojan fan but I am also a football fan,” Barnum said. “I enjoy college football and I’m fine with the idea of helping out a football program.”

The team had four motorcyle officers as escort upon arrival and departure. The officers blocked the intersection of Coldwater and Ventura to allow the team buses to pass.