Mark Sanchez Up, C.J. Gable Down: USC Wins One, Loses One

It was a "Win One, Lose One" proposition for USC at practice Tuesday afternoon.  Mark Sanchez continued his remarkable recovery from a dislocated knee just 11 days ago. At the same time, shifty tailback C.J. Gable, who started the last two season openers, went down with a sprained hip and a sprained ankle.

Sanchez threw to receivers for the first time since dislocating his knee and said he felt good.  He feels in rhythm and says his arm strength is fine. He threw over 30 passes during drills and continued pushing himself, hoping to do more at today’s practice.

Pete Carroll remains optimistic, if somewhat cautious.  He is waiting to see just how well Sanchez’ knee responds to the work he did yesterday.

Sanchez feels that his return to the starting lineup for the opener against Virginia is a "definite possibility."

Not so optimistic is the injury to C.J. Gable.  He went down hard on a hit by Wes Horton, a defensive end.  Later, he was diagnosed with a sprained hip and a sprained ankle.  The ankle is not so much a problem, but the hip is, according to Dr. James Tibone, who examined Gable.

The injury answers those who wonder about Pete Carroll keeping a stable of top running backs.  Just this past Saturday at the Coliseum, Joe McKnight suffered a hyperextended elbow.  Fortunately, McKnight returned to practice yesterday.

But what’s that commercial line: "You can never have too much of a good thing."  USC is proving that now, especially the way the players compete for a starting spot.  It was no fluke that C.J. Gable went down on "Competition Tuesday," the first one this brand-new season.

Cary Harris remains sidelined with a sprained shoulder, but Will Harris, taking his place, came up big with two interceptions.

The tight ends, Jimmy Miller and Rhett Ellison, continue to impress.  Even the new tight end, freshman All-Everything Blake Ayles, returning from an injury, caught a short touchdown pass from Mitch Mustain.

Mustain also threw another short TD pass to his classmate from Arkansas, Damian Williams.  Aaron Corp also threw a TD pass to Ellison.

With the opening kickoff just 10 days away, the defense, as expected, is still ahead of the offense—but not by much.  Slowly but surely, the O-line is coming together.

Don’t forget tomorrow’s (Thursday's) mock game at the Coliseum starts at 3:30 pm.  The Trojan band will be there.  Will you?