As Havili Goes, So Go USC’s Rose Bowl Hopes

It doesn’t rain that often in Southern California but when it does, it pours. It was raining when the Trojans took off for their three-day Christmas break last week, and pouring when they returned even though the sun was shinning.

Two days of California sunshine wasn’t enough to dry out Howard Jones Field, the Trojans practice facility. So, the normal Monday game week practice on Friday was held on the artificial turf at the track and field facility, Cromwell Stadium

The 35-play simulated intra-squad game focused on the players regaining their timing and bringing up the tempo after their holiday break. However, the blustery conditions prevented the quarterbacks from really working out the kinks.

Meanwhile the Athletic Department hired a helicopter to dehydrate Howard Jones Field. Nevertheless, the Trojans “Competition Tuesday” practice on Saturday found the footing precarious in a lot of spots.

Pete Carroll held the practice despite the soggy field and warned the players not to complain about the conditions. “The field’s not complaining about you,” he told them.

However, Carroll didn’t press his luck and switched Sunday’s “Turnover Wednesday” practice to McAllister Field, the women’s soccer facility, which has a natural grass turf similar to the Rose Bowl.

But the wet conditions may have been the least of the Trojans difficulties. So, far first-team All Pac-10 cornerback Kevin Ellison has not responded well to rehab and is not expected to play in the Rose Bowl.

Although Damian Williams practiced in pads, he will not be cleared for actual contact until game day.

However, aside from the rain, the greatest difficulty pouring down on the Trojans is the ineligibility of fullback Stanley Havili. If they lose Havili, the bulk of the responsibility for beating Penn State will fall squarely on the defense.

It is impossible to tell how much Havili’s absence could hurt the Trojans. Returning late from the three-day Christmas break, Havili learned that he had not been cleared academically and was ineligible to practice.

Pete Carroll said the team will learn either Monday or Tuesday whether or not Havili will be cleared.

The redshirt sophomore is fourth on the team with 24 receptions for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns. But statistics alone do not tell the whole story. Havili’s blocking has kept the Trojan offense up to speed for these past two years.

Whether blocking for the Trojans assembly of running backs or providing terrific pass protection for John David Booty last year and Mark Sanchez this season, Havili’s contribution cannot be underestimated.

Losing Havili will definitely hamper both the Trojans running and passing games and give Penn State one less receiver that they need to account for. That could mean a long day for the Trojans, who are trying to end the season with their seventh consecutive Top 5 ranking.

Even before the announcement, Havili missed several practices with a sore knee and has been playing through injuries all season.

His regular backup, Adam Goodman, a junior, underwent knee surgery, so true freshman D.J. Shoemate, converted to fullback around midseason.

A highly sought after receiver from Servite High School in Anaheim, Shoemate saw extended work during the weekend practices. Shoemate, who wants to do what he is told and play as hard as he can, said the transition from wide receiver to fullback is an ongoing one.

Shoemate’s ability as a pass receiver is beyond question, but can he pick up the vital blocking assignments that Havili handled superbly?

Despite the gloom over the Ellison and Havili announcements, there were a couple of bright spots. Stafon Johnson seems to be feeling no effects of his kneecap injury and should be ready to go on Thursday.

David Buehler, who missed three field goals in the UCLA game, connected on all five attempts on Saturday and kicked a 56-yarder on Sunday.

Mark Sanchez looked particularly sharp on Sunday tossing three TD strikes in the 7-on-7 drills.

In the team workouts, the offense held onto the ball throughout the Turnover Wednesday practice. It has been weeks since they last managed to get through the themed workout without committing a turnover.