Woods Will Get the Start - Los Angeles Times
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Woods Will Get the Start

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LaVale Woods will start at tailback instead of Delon Washington on Saturday against California as the Trojans try to fix a running game that ranks last in the nation among 112 Division I-A teams.

“Woods and Malaefou [MacKenzie] and Delon Washington--all three will play. Woods will start,†Coach John Robinson said.

Robinson likes Woods’ ability to “push the pile†and get the most out of a short gain.

“That’s cool. I’m real excited,†said Woods, who emerged as USC’s leading rusher last season with 601 yards, starting three games at tailback because of suspensions to starters. He had been the backup fullback this season, and will get his first carry of the season Saturday.

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“I’ve been waiting for [a long time],†Woods said. “But I want to win. That’s all that matters to me.â€

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Robinson will be back to his customary no-headset look this week since he has decided to move offensive coordinator Hue Jackson from the press box to the sideline.

“I haven’t been comfortable the first two games with the quarterback not being able to talk to [Jackson],†Robinson said. “You put the intellectual guy upstairs. Hue, as you know, is good with the players and he’s good with our quarterback.â€

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NEXT FOR USC

WHO: California

WHERE: at Berkeley

TIME: Sept. 27, 4 p.m.

TV: Channel 7

RADIO: KLSX-FM (97.1)

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