UPDATE BELOW

Word came down yesterday that USC FB Stanley Havili is currently academically ineligible and he could miss the Rose Bowl.

From Wolf...

USC's fullback position was thrown into doubt Saturday. Stanley Havili, the Trojans regular starter, is currently academically ineligible and could miss the Rose Bowl.

"He won't know until Monday or Tuesday,"' USC coach Pete Carroll said. "He has to wait to see if his eligibility gets cleared. He's got a couple days."

The Trojans were already shorthanded because backup fullback Adam Goodman is not 100 percent after undergoing minor knee surgery. Freshman D.J. Shoemate, originally a wide receiver, became the starter during Saturday's practice.

Disappointing to say the least.

I can't believe that with all the resources that the players have that this is an issue. With grades already being posted I have a hard time seeing how this could be resolved so I will plan on not seeing Havili in the game.

This hurts because we will need all hands on deck when going up against a very good PSU defense...a solid blocking back is an absolute must. Shoemate and Ellison as talented as they are will not be suitable replacement.

This is not the type news I am pleased to write about...

UPDATE...

This is from Ted Miller at ESPN.

USC coach Pete Carroll confirmed after practice that versatile fullback Stanley Havili won't play Thursday in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi due to academic ineligibility.

Carroll said the issue is short-term and the sophomore should be eligible to return for spring practices.

The fullback job will now be split three ways between junior Adam Goodman and freshmen Rhett Ellison and D.J. Shoemate.

Damn disappointing...

the offense isn't the same without him so Shoemate needs to have an out of this world game!