LOS ANGELES — Running back Broderick Green said he has been feeling left out of USC's tailback mix and needed to speak with Coach Pete Carroll. They met for 10 minutes Wednesday.

It might have come at linebacker Rey Maualuga's expense Thursday.

Green took a handoff outside and flattened Maualuga in practice, prompting Carroll to call it the "play of the day." The 6-2, 235-pound back said Carroll made it clear during their talk that he wants Green to be a "hammer."

"Pound the defense, push the pile, I have that mindset now," Green said. "It's already my style, but I'm more aggressive now because I'm more hungry.

"I felt like (the meeting) helped big time."

Green, a redshirt freshman, had one carry for zero yards in USC's victory against Virginia. As a team, USC gained 224 yards on 40 carries. Green is one of six scholarship tailbacks for the Trojans.

"We probably lost a little communication with him," Carroll said.

Green said he is happy for the success of the other running backs but wants to make sure he has a chance to be a part of it.

"I felt like I was being out-competed," Green said. "I told him I wanted to be a part of this team, to get more reps and show what I can do. I'm still a team player. I'm not whining. No excuses. I'm just going to work hard and hopefully earn a shot."

He almost looked unimpressed after laying out Maualuga, heading directly back to the huddle while others piled on their fallen teammate.

"I was just running hard," he said. "I wasn't excited. Everybody else went crazy, but I need to do this every play."

Give youth a chance

Green is one of several younger players getting an opportunity this week to make an impression.

"They can move themselves up in the eyes of the coaches and the depth chart," Carroll said. "That's exactly what we're looking for."

So far freshman left tackle Tyron Smith seems to have caught Carroll's attention.

"I think he's as special as anybody we've had, physically, at his spot," Carroll said. "He's got amazing strength an unbelievable reach and length. And he's got really good feet. Very flexible. Big guys usually can't bend and get real low."

Carroll said he has played Smith alongside left guard Jeff Byers, hoping the senior captain will help Smith learn his position.

"Jeff's telling him what to do," Carroll said. "There's too much for a young guy to know. (Smith) misses some footwork. He's not quite ready yet."

Smith's expanded role in practice has led to Charles Brown splitting time with Butch Lewis at right tackle. This after Brown had 16 knockdowns against Virginia.

"He's kind of wondering, I had a pretty good game," Carroll said of Brown. "But we're just trying to see the next guy and see how far he can take it. That's the way it is."