Fullback Stanley Havili may not play a glamorous position for the Trojans, but he is as pivotal to the team's success as any player on the field.
Much of the reasoning used to explain USC's lack of a rushing attack last season centered on the loss of legends Reggie Bush and LenDale White to the NFL. On the contrary, USC's coaches will say the absence of a solid fullback was as much, if not more of a problem.
On Saturday, USC rushed for 131 yards in the first half and 214 for the game, looking like a much improved unit.
The personnel at running back was no more experienced than the bunch that started last year, but the man in front of the running backs provided the group with a service they were without in 2006.
Havili, a redshirt freshman, missed the final 10 games of last season to a broken leg. Against Idaho Havili was back in action, solidifying running lanes for USC's running backs.
"[Havili] is really going to be a big time football player for us," coach Pete Carroll said following the game. "You got a little taste of what he can do today."
In addition to paving the way for multiple USC touchdowns, Havili earned one for himself - a three yard reception from quarterback John David Booty early in the third quarter.
His final statline read one carry for 10 yards and five receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown. But as life goes for fullbacks, Havili's contribution is predominantly measured by the performance of the guys running behind him.
Sophomore C.J. Gable ran for 68 yards at a clip of 8.5 yards per carry, and sophomore Stafon Johnson gained 64 yards while scoring the first two touchdowns of his career.
Johnson was as complimentary of Havili as he was of himself. "Stanley is a future No. 1 draft pick right there," Johnson said. "His tenacity and his competitiveness - there is none other."
Gable said that one of the keys to his success running the ball is the understanding between him and Havili.
"Me and Stanley, our chemistry is good," Gable said. "I know what he's thinking, and he knows what I'm thinking."
The day wasn't a complete success for the USC backfield, however. After scoring three touchdowns in the first 18 minutes, the team only scored one touchdown in the next 23.
The holes became a little smaller and save for a dazzling 21-yard run by freshman Joe McKnight in which he completely reversed the field, the running game was underwhelming.
"I'd rate my performance a six," Havili said. "I have a lot to work on; I missed a lot of blocks."
With all the talk from Carroll and the other coaches, it's hard to remember that this was only Havili's second collegiate start and first full game.
In spite of his inexperience, Carroll said in August that Havili could be the best fullback he's ever had.
After the game today, the praise from Carroll kept coming.
"He can make people miss; he's a really good runner with the football. I loved the hurdle play," Carroll said. "That is just another dimension - it's an important aspect [of our offense] that we didn't have last year."
As for Havili, he remained modest about his breakthrough performance.
"I got lucky today [to get the ball]," he said. "That [hurdle] was another lucky play.
"I'm happy to still be healthy, to still be standing."
From what he displayed Saturday night, as long as he is standing and lining up behind Booty, USC's offense will regain much of the form it missed last season.
