USC football: Who replaces Stafon Johnson as short-yardage back?

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With USC tailback Stafon Johnson out after undergoing throat surgery, Allen Bradford and C.J. Gable move up the depth chart behind Joe McKnight.

But who will handle the short-yardage carries that Johnson specialized at converting? Gable said he thought it would be the 5-foot-11, 235-pound Bradford.

“He’s the biggest of all of us,” Gable said.

Bradford said coaches have not told him that he would take on the short-yardage role for Saturday’s game against No. 24 California at Berkeley.

But he is up for the task if called upon.

“I’m pretty sure if it’s one or two yards,” he said, “I’m going to get it.”

-- Gary Klein