On Monday, Pete Carroll addressed the biggest lingering question from the Washington State game: why did tailback C.J. Gable, who had such a great performance at Nebraska, get only a single carry on Saturday night? Carroll assured the media that “there’s no problem with what he’s done at all,” attributing the lack of touches for Gable to the team’s throwing 19 of the first 24 plays and the staff’s desire to work freshman Joe McKnight into the offense later in the game. Gable, who appeared upset leaving the locker room on Saturday night according to Scott Wolf, is determined to remain at SC and compete: “I’m not a quitter…I don’t want to hear why (I’m not getting touches) as long as we’re winning. but if we lose, then I’ll be like, I could have done something to help.” Read on for more from Monday.

•  The MRI on CB Cary Harris’s dislocated shoulder revealed no major damage, though his range of motion remains limited. Harris felt well enough to begin practice before the trainers forced him off the field. It’s unlikely he’ll play Saturday against Washington, despite Harris’s optimism, and Carroll is very comfortable with Shareece Wright starting in his place.
• LB Brian Cushing says he is day-to-day with his sprained ankle and is questionable for Saturday, even though USC’s official injury report lists him as “probable.” He told Scott Wolf that he came back too soon by playing against Washington State.
• Even though center Matt Spanos (torn triceps) returned to practice Monday and will be back in the competition for starting center when cleared for contact (possibly Tuesday) and when fully healthy, Carroll sees “no reason to change anything” by moving Kris O’Dowd out of the starting position. O’Dowd spent a portion of Monday’s no-helmet, no-pads practice rolling from end zone to end zone as further punishment for arriving late to a meeting Friday, which also cost him a start Saturday. He was joined by WR Ronald Johnson, who rolled for undisclosed “issues he had to take care of,” according to Carroll.
• CB Vincent Joseph will learn if he’s cleared for contact Tuesday, but Carroll expects him to be ready for Washington.

Gable has no complaint (LA Times)
Carroll not worried about secondary’s depth (Daily Trojan)
USC’s Carroll recalls ’spy’ days (Long Beach Press-Telegram)
Monday Insider: Mixed thoughts on burned redshirts (Rivals, $)