Bush Is Alone at Top of Chart

Reggie Bush utilizes his speed to separate from defenders almost instantaneously.

On Friday, with an assist from Coach Pete Carroll, Bush put some symbolic distance between himself and fellow junior running back LenDale White.

Bush was listed as the No. 1 tailback on the depth chart USC released for its Sept. 3 season opener at Hawaii.

“Reggie deserves to be the No. 1 guy,” Carroll said. “He’s just worked consistently and had a tremendous impact on us day in and day out. So it’s a small nod, but he’s deserved that.”

Bush and White were both listed as No. 2 running backs as freshmen in 2003. They were both No. 1 at the position last season when Bush was a Heisman Trophy finalist and White led the team in rushing.

But White missed spring practice because of academic issues and was sidelined for five days during training camp because of toe injury. Bush returned from a summer of intense conditioning and has been nearly unstoppable in scrimmage situations.

“It really doesn’t matter; it’s all about perception,” Bush said of his spot atop the depth chart. “But I definitely like the feeling.”

White, who was slowed in practice by injuries throughout his first two seasons, said he was not disappointed because he knows that he will play, and possibly be on the field before Bush depending on the formation.

“It’s not a big deal at all,” he said. “We all get our reps, we all get our playing time.”

White, though, acknowledged that he needed to become a more consistent practice player.

“That’s up to me to do,” he said. “I’ve got to take it upon myself to do more.”

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Split end Patrick Turner, defensive end Kyle Moore, linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, cornerback Kevin Thomas and strong safety Kevin Ellison are true freshmen listed No. 2 at their positions.

“You look at all the freshmen before us and more than half of them have had an impact on the team,” Turner said. “That’s just part of SC football.”

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The NCAA informed USC on Friday that it has restored a year of eligibility to linebacker Ryan Powdrell.

Powdrell, who transferred to USC from Saddleback College last year, was listed as a senior going into this season because he played briefly on special teams in the 2004 opener against Virginia Tech. He did not play in any other games. He appealed and was granted a redshirt year. As part of the reinstatement, he must miss two games this year or next, a USC spokesman said.

Carroll said punter Tom Malone (hip) would kick for the first time in team drills on Monday. Backup Taylor Odegard will also travel to Hawaii for the opener, Carroll said.... The Trojans will return to Cromwell Field today so they can practice on FieldTurf for the second time.