Havili Has Chance at Fullback

After starting freshman tailbacks in each of its first two games, USC could add a freshman fullback to the mix for the Pacific 10 Conference opener at Arizona.

Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday that Stanley Havili would be given a chance to take the place of senior Ryan Powdrell, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the Trojans’ victory over Nebraska. Powdrell had surgery Sunday.

Havili, 6 feet 1 and 220 pounds, played against Arkansas and Nebraska but has not carried the ball or caught a pass. He will receive an extended look with the first-unit offense during practice this week.

“We’re just going to throw him to the front, let’s go,” Carroll said. “It’s a Taylor Mays-type of move.”

Mays, a freshman safety, started against Nebraska in place of injured junior Josh Pinkard and made five tackles against a Cornhuskers offense that passed only 16 times.

“I thought I did pretty well,” Mays said. “With all the guys around me supporting me, I didn’t really feel intimidated.”

Senior Mike Brittingham and junior Jody Adewale will try to help bring along Havili, who amassed about 1,500 rushing yards and about 1,000 receiving yards last year at Cottonwood High in Utah.

“He catches the ball, blocks hard, runs well; we’re just going to go with it,” Carroll said.

Carroll said the coaching staff had not decided whether another player such as freshman tailback Allen Bradford would be moved to shore up depth at fullback.

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Freshman tailback Emmanuel Moody showed flashes in his first start, freshman C.J. Gable also had moments and junior Chauncey Washington got his first score.

But the offensive line underperformed, according to Carroll and offensive line coach Pat Ruel.

Asked what he thought of the Trojans’ running game, Ruel said, “What running game? I don’t think we were very good, but part of that was Nebraska has a pretty good front seven. We just need to clean things up.”

The Trojans also were handicapped by the condition of center Ryan Kalil, who suffered a concussion last week. Carroll said the senior was cleared to play but fought dehydration throughout the game.

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USC moved up one spot to No. 3 in the Associated Press poll. The Trojans are No. 2 in the coaches’ poll.... Carroll praised the defense, especially a linebacker corps led by sophomore Rey Maualuga, who had a game-high 11 tackles in his first start.... Carroll said Moody’s performance and running style warrant more opportunities.... Washington’s first touchdown would be acknowledged during a team meeting today, according to Carroll, who added that he would like to see the junior “make a big jump” in production as junior receiver Dwayne Jarrett has. After catching five passes for 35 yards against Arkansas, Jarrett had 11 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Nebraska. Jarrett is ranked fifth nationally with eight receptions per game.