The Rose Bowl: Some Final Notes

As reported yesterday, versatile USC fullback Stanley Havili is academically ineligible for tomorrow’s game. Will it make a difference? Only in game planning, not in the final outcome. Havili, who has played injured quite a bit this year, has been missing from the lineup for long stints during games. In many of those instances, outgoing offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, has had to make adjustments on the fly. For this year’s Rose Bowl, Sarkisian has had an entire week to make those adjustments and has reliable replacements to count on. Rhett Ellison, a dependable tight end with good hands and excellent blocking skills, has filled in for Havili along with true freshman, D. J. Shoemate, who converted over to fullback from defensive back, and Havili’s regular backup, Adam Goodman, who has been injured, himself, this season. There is little that Sarkisian can’t do effectively between those three that he could do with Havili. The other day I mentioned that running ... (link)