White Says He Carries No Grudge

USC running back LenDale White did not practice Tuesday because of a sore hamstring. The junior also sported a still slightly swollen right eye from a collision during Saturday’s season-opening rout over Hawaii.

But White appeared to have gotten over the frustration that surfaced after the game.

White, the Trojans leading rusher the last two seasons, finished with a team-high 13 carries in the 63-17 victory, but most came after the outcome was decided.

Fellow junior Reggie Bush got the bulk of the carries in the first three quarters, including short-yardage situations that were usually handled by White in 2003 and 2004.

After the game, a frustrated White said, “I don’t know what goes on around here anymore.”

On Tuesday, White said, “I was never mad. Let’s get that clear -- there was nothing wrong. I don’t dislike Reggie, I don’t dislike the coaches. I love SC.”

White said his demeanor in the locker room was affected by, “some family business back home,” that he learned of during a phone call.

“Everything’s good,” he said.

White said he did not seek counsel from Coach Pete Carroll or running backs coach Todd McNair after the game or since.

“I never do that -- I never will,” he said. “I don’t complain about carries. I don’t complain about playing time. That’s not me.

“I love football. I love winning. That’s all that matters.”

Carroll became impatient when reporters repeatedly asked him about White’s postgame comments and demeanor. He said he had no problem with White or with players becoming frustrated, especially if it spurs them to compete harder.

“They’re supposed to expand their roles -- if they’re not happy -- by the way they work and by the way they approach it,” he said.

Quarterback Matt Leinart said the flow of the game -- USC’s offense did not get onto the field until nearly the end of the first quarter -- affected the way White and other players were utilized.

“A lot of people just blew it out of proportion,” Leinart said. “But I’m not worried about the situation. I think LenDale is handling it fine.”

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Receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, said he did not think that crossing his arms after scoring the first of his three touchdowns was excessive.

“I don’t think I did anything that bad, but it’s up to the refs,” he said. “I apologized to Coach Carroll right away and said I wouldn’t do it again.”

Tight end Dominique Byrd also was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after he threw the ball at a Hawaii player. Byrd sat out the second half.

“We had some obvious penalties we needed to get rid of,” Carroll said. “We had good enough illustrations during the game and at halftime. Most of the dramatics were handled there.”

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Backup quarterback John David Booty was thrilled to throw his first touchdown pass, a two-yard play to Jarrett.

“I’m really pleased because I got to go in there and they let me have some throws downfield and to get a touchdown,” he said. “It wasn’t just run, run, run every time.”

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With an open date Saturday, the Trojans are expected to spend the next two weeks developing young players, especially at cornerback where freshmen Kevin Thomas and Cary Harris have yet to assert themselves.

“We’ve got to get one of those guys to make a move here on each other and become the legitimate fourth guy,” Carroll said.

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Safety Darnell Bing (hip flexor) said he would probably sit out most of the week but would be ready for the Trojans’ Sept. 17 game against Arkansas.... Freshman defensive end Kyle Moore (knee sprain) was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Tuesday night.... Fred Matua, who suffered a mild concussion against Hawaii, practiced Tuesday.... Leinart is scheduled to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Thursday.