Gable Is Ready to Make Some History in Opener

C.J. Gable has yet to play a down for USC, but today against Arkansas he will do something Heisman Trophy winners Charles White, Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush never accomplished.

Gable will be the first USC freshman to start an opener at tailback since the NCAA first allowed freshmen to play on the varsity in 1972.

“It’s big, a lot of pressure, but I’m just going to come out and play hard and not change anything,” said the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Gable, who starred last season at Sylmar High.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said juniors Chauncey Washington and Desmond Reed and freshmen Allen Bradford and Emmanuel Moody also would play.

Gable “just won the race at this time,” Carroll said. “This is a competition that hasn’t ended. It’s just warming up.”

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USC is staying in a hotel that is a short drive from Bentonville, Ark., home to Wal-Mart headquarters.

The Trojans practiced Friday morning at Bentonville High, which has a football facility that, other than the size of the stadium, would rival those of many major college programs.

The 6,000-seat stadium features a huge scoreboard and enclosed press box overlooking an immaculate artificial turf field. Adjoining the stadium is a complex that includes a full-length indoor practice field, locker rooms and coaches’ offices.

“This is amazing,” said Dennis Slutak, USC’s director of football operations.

After a short workout, Carroll said the Trojans were ready for the Razorbacks.

“The offense has just had a great finish to the week; they were about perfect [Thursday] and perfect out here again so they’re ready to go,” Carroll said.

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Sophomore cornerback Cary Harris, who will return kickoffs for the Trojans, would love to break a long return in front of family and friends. Harris said his father, Cary Harris Sr., had come to the game from Southern California and was staying with relatives in Arkansas.

“There’s a lot of cousins out here,” Harris said. “I hope I can do something that will make them proud.”

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Chris Carlisle, USC’s strength and conditioning coach, earned a master’s degree in history at Arkansas in 1997.... USC has no players on its roster from Arkansas and Arkansas has no Californians. Center Ryan Kalil’s father, Frank, was a center for Arkansas in 1978 but transferred to Arizona. John David Booty’s father, Johnny, was a quarterback at Arkansas in the early 1970s before transferring to Mississippi State.... Tight ends coach Brennan Carroll was to spend Friday night watching high school running back Broderick Green of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Ark. Green has orally committed to USC.

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

No. 6 USC

at Arkansas

Today, 5:45 p.m. PDT

TV: ESPN. Radio: 710, 830

1 Quarterback survival: John David Booty’s only meaningful snap in two seasons as USC’s backup was a one-play cameo last year against Arizona State while Matt Leinart cleared his head after a late hit. Booty probably won’t be asked to do too much in his first start, but he still must be able to complete easy throws and keep the offense moving. If he falters against a defense that returns nine starters, or his surgically repaired back does not hold up, the coaches could turn to redshirt freshman Mark Sanchez. Arkansas’ Robert Johnson passed for a touchdown last season against the Trojans before suffering a back injury.

2 Backfield production: Freshman C.J. Gable will start, but the Trojans will go with tailback by committee. Arkansas led the Southeastern Conference in rushing last season. USC, which is expected to play a 3-4 defense with linebacker Brian Cushing on the line of scrimmage, caught a break when Arkansas running back Darren McFadden injured his toe in July. Still, sophomore Felix Jones was second nationally in kickoff returns (31.9-yard average) and junior fullback Peyton Hillis led the Razorbacks in receptions.

3 Miscues and kicks: The Trojans ranked second nationally in turnover margin last season. With a new quarterback and young running backs, they must avoid mistakes that could give Arkansas momentum and keep the crowd in the game. Arkansas ranked 65th in turnover margin. Johnson had six passes intercepted in 158 attempts in eight games. If USC requires a late field goal from 40 yards or closer, Mario Danelo has proven reliable. He made 11 of 12 attempts last season. Arkansas’ Stephen Arnold, a sophomore walk-on, has never attempted a field goal.

-- Gary Klein