Freshman Gable will get the start again

C.J. Gable was there at the start and he will be there again at the finish.

The freshman tailback from Sylmar, who started USC’s opener against Arkansas before others supplanted him, will make his third consecutive start in the regular-season finale against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday.

“I think I’m showing there’s a back they can count on,� said Gable, who gained a career-best 107 yards last week against Notre Dame.

Carroll likened the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Gable to former tailback Justin Fargas, whose aggressive running style energized the Trojans during the 2002 season, which ended with a rout of Iowa in the Orange Bowl.

Todd McNair, USC’s running backs coach, has been most impressed by Gable’s pass blocking.

“He’s picking up blitzes and understanding what’s going on,� McNair said. “Everything else? I know he can play. We know what he can do physically.�

Gable has supplanted junior Chauncey Washington, who did not practice again because of a lingering knee sprain. Washington, however, is expected to play against the Bruins.

“It’s the same,� Washington said of his knee. “It’s not going to get better until I get two weeks to heal� before a bowl game.

Freshman Emmanuel Moody returned to practice and said he was about 90% after missing two games because of a torn ligament and bone bruise in his ankle.

“I wouldn’t say I’m going to play right now, that would be too risky,� Moody said. “I still feel it, it’s still gimpy, but one day can make that much of a difference.�

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Assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian said he had not been contacted by Arizona State regarding its coaching opening. Carroll told The Times on Monday that he called Arizona State Athletic Director Lisa Love on Sarkisian’s behalf.... Defensive tackle Chris Barrett (calf) practiced and is on track to play against UCLA, Carroll said.... Director Spike Lee addressed the Trojans before practice and attended the workout in a USC sweatshirt and cap. Lee did the same last season before speaking to a class.... Oaks Christian High running back Marc Tyler, who has committed to USC, attended practice in a wheelchair. Tyler is recovering from a broken leg.... USC’s awards banquet will be held Dec. 14 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel. The event was moved from the Beverly Hilton to accommodate an expected crowd of 1,600, school officials said. The event drew 1,200 to 1,300 last year, according to school officials.

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