Bush to Start, White to Play

Sophomore running back Reggie Bush will start Tuesday for top-ranked USC against No. 2 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday.

Bush will start in place of sophomore LenDale White for the second time because White has been nursing a sore ankle he sprained in the regular-season finale against UCLA on Dec. 4.

White participated in all drills and ran plays at near full speed for the first time in nearly a month during the Trojans’ final practice at Nova Southeastern University on Sunday evening. He is expected to play extensively against Oklahoma and is regarded as a key to a Trojan victory.

But Bush will be listed as the starter.

“Reggie had a fantastic month of practice,” Carroll said.

Bush started against Washington State on Oct. 30 because White had been slowed during the week by thigh and ankle injuries.

Bush rushed for 42 yards in 14 carries and scored a touchdown and White gained 77 yards and scored twice in the 42-12 victory at Pullman, Wash.

White said he was inspired Sunday by the presence of Ryan Davidson, an 11-year-old Trojan fan and cancer survivor from Wisconsin who visited the Trojans in October when they played California. Ryan attended a team meeting, rode the bus to practice and will also be at the Orange Bowl.

“I see him and it took all my pain away,” White said. “Nothing can be harder than that. That’s real life.”

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Carroll said USC’s final workout was “reminiscent of the finish we had two years ago here.”

USC defeated Iowa, 38-17, in the 2003 Orange Bowl.

The Trojans will have a short walk-through at Pro Player Stadium today.

“We’ve done what we’ve come here to do at this point,” Carroll said. “Now we just have to stay level until game time and let it go when it comes time. We’re ready to play.”

More than ready, according to center Ryan Kalil.

“I’m so excited, I wish we could play right now,” he said.

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USC participated in a media day at the stadium in the morning, an event that spotlights several players but leaves the majority sitting in the stands or milling among the cameras and microphones for most of an hour.

As Bush, quarterback Matt Leinart and other starters fielded questions from various stations, redshirt quarterback John David Booty took in the scene while teammates snapped photos, recorded video or jokingly interviewed themselves.

Booty, who has three years of eligibility remaining, will be No. 1 on the depth chart heading into spring practice if Leinart decides to enter the NFL draft.

“Lots of the young guys that are here are going to learn how to handle these types of events,” Booty said. “Just to be part of these big games only helps you when you get a chance to play.”

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Oklahoma’s experienced offensive line is regarded as the best in college football, but USC linemen said the Trojans should not be overlooked.

“Everybody says we’re still young pups, but we like to go out and prove that age doesn’t matter, it’s how hard you work,” said tackle Sam Baker, a redshirt freshman.

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Snapper Will Collins, who handles field goals and extra points, said he is content to remain nearly anonymous, especially in a national championship game.

“If no one knows my name, I’m doing my job,” said Collins, a redshirt freshman. “There’s no glory in the position. That’s fine with me.”