Aca'Cedric

Ware

Ware (6'0/205) stepped up as USC’s most used and most effective running back in 2018 with Stephen Carr unable to breakout. On 125 carries, Ware picked up 825 yards (6.6 YPC) and scored six touchdowns. The Trojans never really used Ware as a receiver and Ware didn’t look like a goal line back in college, so Ware will have to make it as a rotational back in the NFL if he can improve his draft profile at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Ware currently leads the Trojans in rushing, and his presence will be welcomed by a team that needs an upset win over Notre Dame in order to become bowl eligible. The senior running back has rushed for 757 yards and six touchdowns this season, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. There’s been no word as to how healthy Ware is, but at minimum he’s healthy enough to give it a go.

Ware certainly did his part trying to get the Trojans over the hump in this one, including the game’s longest play of 44 yards in the first quarter which took the Trojans from midfield into the red zone to set up the game’s first touchdown. If the Trojans are going to become bowl eligible, needing a win at UCLA next Saturday or against Notre Dame in the finale on Nov. 24, Ware is going to be a huge part of the game plan.

Ware is considered questionable for Saturday’s game against Arizona State. The tailback battled knee issues for the Trojans earlier in the year, and he wasn’t able to make a single carry against the Utes because of the shoulder injury. If Ware can’t go, Stephen Carr and Vavae Malepeai should get the majority of the carries against the Sun Devils.

Ware was considered to be questionable for Saturday’s game, so there’s a good chance that he’ll still see time against the Sun Devils. Vavae Malepeai received the starting nod, and Stephen Carr should also see playing time Saturday afternoon.

Ware suffered an AC joint sprain last Saturday against Utah and unsurprisingly probably won’t play too much in this one. Stephen Carr and Vavae Malepeai will likely shoulder the majority of the workload in this one.

The Beavers were hanging around for a while, down just 28-21 after three quarters. But the Trojans quickly put to bed the notion of an upset with a 10-0 fourth quarter, and it’s thanks in large part to a rushing attack Oregon State just couldn’t stop. Ware led the way, showing no ill effects of his shoulder injury, as USC piled up 332 rushing yards and four scores. The Trojans need one more win for bowl eligibility and California is coming to the Coliseum next Saturday.

Ware was limited to just one carry eight days ago against Washington State due to knee pain, but he showed no ill effects of the ailment in this one. Even with Ware back, Stephen Carr spelled him frequently with 14 carries for 80 yards. It’s not quite Reggie Bush and LenDale White, but they’re a pretty effective backfield duo when both are healthy. Ware will have two weeks to rest his knee before the team returns to action Oct. 13 against Colorado.

Ware attempted just one carry in USC’s Sept. 21 win over Washington State due to knee pain, with Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr handling the running back responsibilities that night. Ware being announced as a starter is good news for USC, and if the knee pain is once again an issue the Trojans can have two solid alternatives in Malepeai and Carr.

USC HC Clay Helton said that Ware had a bit of knee pain flaring early in the practice week which limited his reps, but he was looking sharper as of Wednesday. Barring an unexpected late scratch, he’ll be suiting up versus the Cougars Friday evening. Ware will split carries with Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr as the Trojans look to snap a two-game losing streak.