USC’s Stanley Havili is no stranger to this

Reporting from Honolulu — 

USC fullback Stanley Havili has been in this situation before.

The fifth-year senior will make his fourth consecutive opening-game start when No. 14 USC plays Hawaii on Thursday night at Aloha Stadium.

“It does seem like I’ve been here forever,” Havili said this week.

Havili’s final season got off to an awkward start when he was suspended one day into training camp for punching cornerback T.J. Bryant during a conditioning drill a few days earlier. Bryant had surgery on a broken cheekbone and will sit out the opener.

Coach Lane Kiffin, at the urging of Bryant and other players, reinstated Havili after one day. And this week Havili’s teammates elected him co-captain along with senior cornerback Shareece Wright, sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley and senior linebackers Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan.

Havili caught a touchdown pass in the 2007 opener against Idaho, had a 14-yard pass reception in the 2008 opener at Virginia and had two carries and three receptions last season against San Jose State.

Kennard is ready

Sophomore Devon Kennard said he would not be nervous about facing Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense in his first start at middle linebacker.

“There’s going to be a lot of excitement, but that’s what football is about,” he said. “I know all my checks, so I’ll be fine.”

Kennard started one game at defensive end and four at strong-side linebacker last season.

No vacation

USC arrived at its hotel late Tuesday night. The Trojans had meetings Wednesday, and then bused to a local high school for a short practice before players were allowed a few hours to relax.

Many cooled off in a lagoon.

Kiffin did not plan to join them.

“I won’t be renting any snorkel gear,” he said.

Quick hits

USC is 6-0 against Hawaii and has scored at least 61 points in each of its last three games against the Warriors. … The Trojans have not lost an opener since 1997, when Florida State defeated USC, 14-7, at the Coliseum. … USC has four players from Hawaii, the Warriors have 33 players from California…. USC offensive lineman Abe Markowitz, who played high school football in Hawaii, did not make the trip after he had foot surgery Tuesday. … Hawaii has two of the youngest coordinators in the Football Bowl Subdivision: offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, 31, and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, 33.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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