USC football: Who replaces Stafon Johnson as short-yardage back?

Staff Writer

Sept. 30, 2009 2:52 PM PT

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With USC tailback Stafon Johnson out after undergoing throat surgery, Allen Bradford and C.J. Gable move up the depth chart behind Joe McKnight.

But who will handle the short-yardage carries that Johnson specialized at converting? Gable said he thought it would be the 5-foot-11, 235-pound Bradford.

“He’s the biggest of all of us,” Gable said.

Bradford said coaches have not told him that he would take on the short-yardage role for Saturday’s game against No. 24 California at Berkeley.

But he is up for the task if called upon.

“I’m pretty sure if it’s one or two yards,” he said, “I’m going to get it.”

-- Gary Klein

Sports Now

Gary Klein

Gary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams for the Los Angeles Times. Before that, he covered USC’s football program and athletic department. He began working for The Times in the San Fernando Valley edition and has reported on high school, college and pro sports. He grew up in Southern California and graduated from Cal State Northridge.