Gable Has Returns in Sight

Freshman C.J. Gable made history when he started at tailback for USC in the opener against Arkansas.

Gable could add another starting assignment to his resume if he returns kickoffs Saturday in the third-ranked Trojans’ Pacific 10 Conference opener at Arizona.

Early this week, Coach Pete Carroll said Gable would replace sophomore Cary Harris against the Wildcats. But Gable missed most of Wednesday’s practice because of a groin problem. He returned on Thursday and pronounced himself fit for the assignment.

“I want to show what I can do and take one to the house,” Gable said. “No guarantees, but I’m going to try.”

Gable developed an affinity for returning kickoffs at Sylmar High.

“My coach always told me, ‘If you score on the first drive on a kickoff return that turns the whole game around,’ ” Gable said. “When he first told me that, I scored. Then after that, the next game, I scored again, and they stopped kicking to me.

“We had to do little switch plays so I could get the ball.”

Gable remains in a tailback rotation that includes freshman Emmanuel Moody, who started last week against Nebraska, and junior Chauncey Washington, who was making a bid to start for the first time at Arizona.

Washington, however, did not practice Thursday.

Carroll said Washington’s grandmother suffered from a serious health issue on Wednesday night.

The running back attended to her with family, took an exam on campus on Thursday and then returned to his family.

Carroll said Washington would make the trip to Arizona.

Pac-10 rules limit to 64 the number of players who can travel for conference games.

Because of Gable’s and Washington’s status, the Trojans will take five tailbacks, including Moody and fellow freshmen Allen Bradford and Stafon Johnson.

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Freshman Stanley Havili is expected to get the bulk of playing time, and possibly start, at fullback against Arizona, but Mike Brittingham also will play.

Brittingham, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound fifth-year senior from Santa Ana, played receiver and safety at Foothill High before walking on at USC in 2002.

“That’s when we had a freshman camp,” he said. “So they put me in at fullback the second practice and I just went with it.”

Brittingham developed into a fearless special teams player and earned a scholarship last season. He has caught one pass in his career, a nine-yard reception against Arizona last season.

After Ryan Powdrell suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Nebraska last week, Brittingham stepped in and played most of the game.

“I did OK, but there were definitely some areas I could have done better in,” he said. “I learned a lot from watching the film.”

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Senior Oscar Lua (hamstring) has practiced this week, but he is not considered at full strength so sophomore Rey Maualuga will remain the starter at middle linebacker, according to Carroll.... Sophomore cornerback Kevin Thomas (ankle) will not make the trip, Carroll said. Freshmen Shareece Wright and Vincent Joseph and junior Mozique McCurtis will back up Harris and Terrell Thomas.