White Isn’t Sure if He’ll Be Able to Face Bruins

USC running back LenDale White practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his left shoulder, but the junior said his availability against 11th-ranked UCLA would be a game-time decision.

“If I really don’t feel that healthy at game time they’ll probably pull me or I’ll pull myself just to let them know it’s not worth playing hurt,” said White, who suffered a bruised shoulder when he was tackled during practice Sunday.

White was in shoulder pads and went through several drills Wednesday, but he was ordered by doctors to avoid contact all week. With tailback depth an issue, defensive players also have been cautioned to avoid hitting Reggie Bush.

“It felt good being out there, just running around giving my teammates hope, or myself hope, that I can play this game,” said White, who has rushed for 1,024 yards and 19 touchdowns.

White’s status will be determined during warmups at the Coliseum on Saturday, according to Coach Pete Carroll. “I don’t know how effective he’s going to be, but he’s going to give it a go,” Carroll said.

White said he probably would not know the true condition of his shoulder until he got into a game.

“From the first play I get in and hit somebody or not, that’s when I’ll know if I’m going to be able to go at 100%,” he said. “Right now, I feel like I’m healthy. I mean, it hurts. Of course, it’s going to hurt, but it doesn’t hurt that bad.”

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The award season officially began with quarterback Matt Leinart winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation’s top senior quarterback. Leinart is the third Trojan to receive the honor, joining Rodney Peete (1988) and Carson Palmer (2002).

Leinart and Bush also were selected as finalists for the Walter Camp award. The other finalists are Vince Young of Texas, Brady Quinn of Notre Dame and A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Leinart won the award last year.

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Linebacker Keith Rivers and receiver Patrick Turner will not play against UCLA because of hamstring injuries, Carroll said. Senior Collin Ashton will start in place of Rivers. Freshman Kaluka Maiava, who also has been nursing a hamstring injury, will back up Ashton. Carroll said receiver Chris McFoy probably would play more because Turner is out.