LOS ANGELES – Southern California fullback Stanley Havili was allowed to return to practice Saturday after a one-day ban for a pre-training camp fight with teammate T.J. Bryant.
Just one day after telling Havili to stay away from Friday's team activities, coach Lane Kiffin acquiesced to the pleas of Bryant and several Trojans to allow his senior team leader back into workouts.
"The biggest thing was T.J. explaining to me that this thing was done eight days ago, that Stanley came to him and he apologized," Kiffin said. "I think it speaks volumes for — outside of this decision that Stanley made, the mistake he made — who he is and what he's been about. He made a mistake, and one I know he's very remorseful for."
Havili and Bryant got into a fight last week during the final players-only conditioning drill before the start of camp. After an exchange of shoves, Havili apparently struck Bryant in the face.
Bryant needed surgery to fix his broken left cheekbone, which will keep him out for at least three weeks. The injury will hinder Bryant's competition for a starting job.
But the junior doesn't harbor a grudge toward Havili. When they spoke to reporters together after practice, Bryant said the players "were both at fault."
"Emotions just got the best of us, and those things happen," Bryant said after watching practice while wearing his jersey and dark sunglasses. "We made up that day, and everything has been OK since then. We're all emotional people, and sometimes emotions can get the best of us."
Kiffin says he doesn't anticipate any further punishment for Havili, a three-year starter and the Trojans' career leader in receptions for a fullback.
"It meant a lot for T.J. and my teammates to say they wanted me out there on this field," said Havili, who was limited in Saturday's practice because of a sore hamstring. "I feel like we had a bonding moment, you could say that. Me and T.J. are totally cool toward each other."
The Trojans practiced without tight end Blake Ayles, who has a hamstring injury. Freshman receiver Kyle Prater was limited for the second day with a strained hip.
USC will hold its first scrimmage of camp Sunday.
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