LOS ANGELES — USC fullback Stanley Havili has not practiced much the past three weeks because of an ankle injury. He didn't practice Friday because Coach Pete Carroll said he had flight problems.

Saturday was a different story.

Havili was absent for the second day in a row, this time because Carroll said he is not cleared academically.

"He can't practice until he is (cleared)," Carroll said. "We won't know until next week, Monday or Tuesday."

Carroll said Havili is the only player awaiting his grades where eligibility is affected. Havili played only a few plays against UCLA and has sat out most of USC's bowl practices while nursing a sprained ankle. He was expected to try and practice this weekend, but Carroll said Havili still is not healthy enough even if he were eligible.

Freshman D.J. Shoemate has gotten extended work at fullback this past week. Shoemate began the season as a receiver before switching to fullback in September, tailback in October, and back to fullback just before the UCLA game.

EYES ON A PRIZE

The storyline for the Trojans this time of year is a familiar one: They are not playing for a national title but are highly favored against a Big Ten team in the Rose Bowl. This has led some to question how motivated USC will be for Penn State.

Defensive tackle Fili Moala said the team has stayed focused by not treating this game any differently than the previous 12.

"It's just another game, another opponent, another person to beat," said Moala, adding he did not know USC is widely considered a 10-point favorite against the Nittany Lions. "Bowl season, none of that stuff matters."

The Trojans have beaten three Big Ten teams in the Rose Bowl under Carroll by an average of 20 points, as well as Iowa in the 2003 Orange Bowl, 38-17.

"I don't think it has anything to do with anything Big Ten," Carroll said. "It's just bowl time."

NOTES

It does not appear like safety Kevin Ellison, who has not practiced since he aggravated a knee injury against UCLA, will play in the Rose Bowl. "He's not looking good," Carroll said. "He's not responding as well as we hoped." Safety Will Harris, who started in all four games Ellison missed, is expected to start. ...

Receiver Damian Williams (shoulder) practiced with pads but did not have any contact. "We'll try to not bang him too hard all the way until game time," Carroll said. ...

Running back Stafon Johnson said he has no doubt he will play in the Rose Bowl. Johnson said he is close to running at full speed after dislocating his kneecap earlier this week during practice. "I'm almost there. I'm one step away," he said. "I made a big step today, as far as running the ball. I didn't think about (my knee)."