White Says He’ll Play Despite Thigh Bruise

USC running back LenDale White remains slowed by a thigh bruise, but the junior said Wednesday that he would play against Washington State.

“By Saturday, I’ll be 100%, it just takes awhile,” said White, who did not participate in contact drills for the third consecutive day. “They got some magic stuff to make me feel better. I’ll take some Advil, I’ll be feeling way better.”

White rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games but gained only 26 yards against Notre Dame and 56 yards against Washington.

White said the offensive line is giving him room to run.

“I’m probably thinking too much, if anything, not just playing football,” White said.

Coach Pete Carroll said White was “trying to make a couple big cuts instead of just digging in,” and that he was “pressing a little bit trying to make something happen.”

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Film director Spike Lee attended USC’s team meeting and also part of practice before speaking to a class on campus.

Lee grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and often attends Knick games at Madison Square Garden and Yankee games at Yankee Stadium. But he said that he has always been a USC football fan, and that he thanked the Trojans for beating Notre Dame.

“Notre Dame, Red Sox, Celtics; don’t like them at all,” Lee said. “So I thanked them.”

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Center Ryan Kalil did not practice because of back soreness, but said he would return today. Guard Fred Matua worked in Kalil’s spot, and redshirt freshman Chilo Rachal worked at right guard.