Pete Carroll had nothing but well-wishing for the departing Green. As quoted on LA Times:

"Broderick's been a great kid in our program and we're going to miss him," Carroll said on his site. "We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him get settled in wherever he ends up in the future."

Although Green's grandmother's ailing health was his primary reason for his return to Arkansas, playing time was a definite consideration. Green has been back five deep on the talented six man tailback depth chart. Green ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns this semester.

Shoemate, a freshman from Servite High, worked at a new spot during practice Monday - tailback. It’s the third position since training camp for Shoemate, who began the summer as a wide receiver before shifting to fullback. He mostly has played special teams during games.

USC coach Pete Carroll said Shoemate’s latest switch had nothing to do with tailback Broderick Green’s departure from the team. Green disclosed Saturday that he intends to transfer so he can be closer to his family in Arkansas.

Still, Monday’s practice was USC’s first since Green’s announcement - and Shoemate’s first at tailback.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to be a contributor,” Shoemate said. “I haven’t really been in the mix.”

Carroll said offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian wanted Shoemate to have more chances to handle the ball, take hits and work on his ball security.

Shoemate (6-0, 220) also can serve the big-back role on the scout team that Green often assumed. Carroll said USC’s defense will “need some thumping” this week to prepare for Stanford running backs Toby Gerhart (6-1, 232) and Anthony Kimble (6-1, 217). They have combined for 1,582 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Shoemate isn’t sure where his long-term future lies. He knows learning multiple positions only will help him in the long run.

“It make me more versatile,” Shoemate said. “I’m here to play some football - whatever I have to do to get some playing time. I just want to be a team player.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Mark Sanchez doesn’t believe in revenge
• USC football: Blake Ayles still out
• USC football: Taylor Mays honored
• USC football: Cal’s critical penalty explained
• Grade it: USC’s offense vs. Cal
• Grade it: USC’s defense vs. Cal
• Grade it: USC’s coaching vs. Cal
• Grade it: USC’s special teams vs. Cal
• USC football: Why Broderick Green is leaving

USC steamrolled over Washington for the Trojans third shutout of the season. Runningback CJ Gable (10 carries for 108 yards) and Patrick Turner (6 receptions for 100 yards) each came up big with two touchdowns. Mark Tyler saw significant playing time, amassing 85 yards on 16 carries and a TD. Stafon Johnson, Broderick Green and quarterback Mark Sanchez all rushed for a touchdown. Sanchez finished 15/19 for 167 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Washington QB Fouch wasn't as lucky, getting picked off by the Trojans' Galippo, McAllister and Maualuga.

And kudos to 4th-string QB Garrett Green, who delivered a nice block for Broderick Green during the WSU game.

Sanchez cleaned up his act with no interceptions and 5 touchdowns in the first half: 2 to Turner, 2 to RoJo and 1 to McCoy. Three tailbacks had over 100 yards, Broderick Green (126 yd, 2 td), Stafon Johnson (111 yd) and CJ Gable (104 yd, 3 tds). The Cougar's only bright spot was a blocked extra point to start the second quarter. And to credit the Trojan-D [who made it look effortless] USC has not been scored on in their last ten quarters of play, without a touchdown against them since Oregon managed a single TD in the first quarter, three games back.

Regarding Joe McKnight’s case, which had him in a boot Monday, USC coach Pete Carroll said: “This is a hard one to tell. Obviously this is a real critical and painful injury for a running back particularly, but it’s hard on everybody.”

With Stafon Johnson (illness) and Allen Bradford (hip) also missing practice, redshirt freshman Broderick Green moved up to the No. 2 tailback spot behind C.J. Gable.

Related link:

• McKnight in a boot
• Mark Sanchez stays the course

The 235-pound "hammer" back took a handoff outside and leveled All-American linebacker Rey Maualuga.

"I gave him his 10 seconds of fame," Maualuga said. "I told him to watch out."

Feeling left out of the Virginia game, where he only got one carry for 0 yards, Broderick Green met with Coach Pete Carroll on Wednesday. He was told to run big.

Green tries to 'hammer' out role in USC backfield [The OC Register]

Mitch Mustain in the game. Stafon Johnson loses 4 yards and then Mustain finds Vidal Hazelton for 15 yards. Mustain is then hit as he throws and the ball dies in the air but no one sees for the possible interception. Stafon Johnson then fumbles and Drew McAllister recovers. That's the end of Mustain's drive and back to the well-used Garrett Green.
Maybe to get Mustain some time, Johnson's fumble is ruled a dead ball after a long delay.
Joe McKnight gains 11 yards. Mustain throws a 23-yard pass to Hazelton, who extends his arms and drops it. Mustain comes back and finds Anthony McCoy for 7 yards. Two false starts against the offense. It's 3rd and 20 and Mustain hands off to McKnight, who gains 15. On fourth down, Mustain finds Hazelton for nine yards. Mustain to Hazelton again, for nine yards.
TOUCHDOWN: After a personal foul on the defense, McKnight runs it in from 6 yards. White team 14, Cardinal 7.
It's halftime. Unofficially, we have Mustain 4-7 for 39 yards and Corp 3-4 for 14 yards. Green is 4-9 for 90 yards with a TD and INT.

Corp to Travon Patterson for 2 yards. Corp in the shotgun, throws for a yard to D.J. Shoemate under a strong rush.
Mitch Mustain is in with a new group. He rolls out and finds Patterson for 9 yards. Broderick Green carries for no gain on the next play. Mustain throws a little pass to Green, who runs 16 yards.
More Green on a rush, for no gain. Green again for a couple yards. Mustain gets sacked on the next play. Change of possession.
Corp finds Anthony McCoy over the middle for 8 yards. Allen Bradford loses 1 yard on a carry. On 3rd down, Gerald Washington blocks Corp's pass. Next!
Actually, they are still going with Corp. Bradford gains 2 yards on a carry.
Corp escapes a sack and gains about 19 yards on a scramble. Joe McKnight jukes a couple times and gains 14 yards. Corp's pass in deflected by Taylor Mays. McKnight then drops Corp's pass to avert a potential good gain.
Corp calmly rolls out and finds Damian Willaims for 12 yards. Corp then fumbles the snap and Stafon Johnson picks up the ball, lose of five. Corp's pass is deflected, looks like Wes Horton got it. On 3rd and 16, Corp's pass is incomplete.
Time to catch a breath. Corp looks calm, his arm is not the strongest but he plays under control and can avoid the rush.
Mustain back in the game. Green loses a yard. Mustain throws to Adam Goodman, who can't hold on to it. Mustain then throws incomplete to David Ausberry, who is well covered.
Garrett Green in at QB. B. Green carries for a loss of one. Green then throws to Blake Ayles, but for no gain and follows with an incomplete pass.
Mustain throws to Goodman for 9 yards. Bradford then loses a couple yards. Mustain throws behind Ronald Johnson, incomplete.
Corp back in and throws an incomplete pass. He then finds Travon Patterson open for about 17 yards. He throws a nice ball to Scott Stephens, who drops it, but pass intereference is called. Corp is sacked by Derek Simmons. Corp finds Patterson for 19 yards.
Corp scrambles for 10 yards. Corp fumbles another snap and this time the defense recovers.

Allen Bradford 4.46
C.J. Gable 4.68
Broderick Green -- injured
Stanley Havili -- injured
Stafon Johnson 4.44
Joe McKnight -- did not run
Marc Tyler 4.59