While it isn't really a surprise, it's still kind of a surprise.
On Thursday, USC coach Pete Carroll named true freshman Matt Barkley the team's starting quarterback. The 18-year-old enrolled at school a semester early, and impressed the coaches throughout spring and fall practice. He will be the first true freshman to start a USC opener at quarterback.
An injury to Aaron Corp helped Barkley win the job, but indications are that Barkley had the inside track before Corp went down.
"It's clear to us as a staff that Matt Barkley is ready to be the starting quarterback at USC," Carroll said. "He has exceeded all our expectations. He has all the physical ability, he has the mentality and temperament to handle the position, his personality is very well received by all the players and he's extremely talented.Carroll also noted that he expects the competition to continue, as Corp is going to be healthy for next weekend's opener against San Jose State. Barkley doesn't have much time before he is thrown into the fire. USC's second game is Sept. 12 at Ohio State.
"At this point, he's ready to be the guy for us."
Also in the mix at USC is former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain, who transferred after one season there and hasn't started a game at USC yet. It doesn't appear that will happen anytime soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-27-2009 @ 10:43PM
Marlin said...
Who cares about USC?
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 11:15PM
Lakergregg said...
Martin don't be a hater...FIGHT ON!
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 11:54PM
duanezother1 said...
marlin obviously you care or else you wouldn't have read the article, FIGHT ON!!
Reply
8-28-2009 @ 12:31AM
zemog44 said...
If there was only a playoff system in place in college football. USC would have at least 5-6 National Championships in the past 10 years. Instead we only have mythical "champions" like Florida and LSU. My gosh, USC would have killed them if they had the chance to play them!
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8-28-2009 @ 2:28AM
hookmrl said...
Dream on zemmog--the SEC is the strongest conference in college footabll clown boy
8-28-2009 @ 4:04AM
jeamikvi said...
AMEN. Any real college fan knows this. I don't count the SEC maniacs who actually think Ark., Tenn, LSU, and Auburn are good teams! LMAO!
8-28-2009 @ 1:38AM
sirb1azeem said...
I know, USC actually play's contender's, Florida play's school's like: Charleston Southern, and Florida international? Only three teams in the SEC are decent, florida being one of them. Proof is some teams in the sec have to play pac 10 teams like Oregon this year, and aren't even considered to compete with them.
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8-28-2009 @ 1:41AM
sirb1azeem said...
Any sec or big 12 team that has to play UCLA this year was listed by ESPN as on of thier toughest games. LMAO
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8-28-2009 @ 4:38AM
rj121trap said...
Hey Martin, these people care.
09/05/09 vs. San Jose State L.A. Coliseum 12:30 p.m. PT
09/12/09 at Ohio State Columbus, Ohio 5:00 p.m. PT
09/19/09 at Washington * Seattle, Wash. 12:30 p.m. PT
09/26/09 vs. Washington State L.A. Coliseum TBA
10/03/09 at California * Berkeley, Calif. 5:00 p.m. PT
10/17/09 at Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. 12:30 p.m. PT
10/24/09 vs. Oregon State
(Parents' Weekend) * L.A. Coliseum 5:00 p.m. PT
10/31/09 at Oregon * Eugene, Ore. 5:00 p.m. PT
11/07/09 at Arizona State * Tempe, Ariz. 5:00 p.m. PT
11/14/09 vs. Stanford
(Homecoming) * L.A. Coliseum TBA
11/28/09 vs. UCLA * L.A. Coliseum 7:00 p.m. PT
12/05/09 vs. Arizona * L.A. Coliseum 12:30 PT
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8-28-2009 @ 6:54AM
scharabo said...
Factored into the BSC (or is it BCS) formula is strength of schedule. Designed to deter teams from intentionally playing weak opponents.
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8-28-2009 @ 9:04AM
William said...
Question: When was the last time a PAC-10 team won a National Championship
Answer: I DON'T KNOW, IT HAS BEEN THAT LONG.......
ROTFLMAO :)
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8-28-2009 @ 10:51AM
mdh461 said...
BETTER TO BE THOUGHT OF AS A FOOL, THAN TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.
USC, WE DONT CARE, WE DONT HAVE TO.
Reply
8-28-2009 @ 12:28PM
mislz7 said...
Man, that trophy that goes yearly to the winner of the Notre Dame/USC game is ugly! Looks like something out of the movie "Alien", or maybe a dildo.
Reply
8-31-2009 @ 10:54PM
ricdarulah7 said...
should do well it is the Pac 10 not the SEC, so all he need to do is hand the ball off to a slew of RBs that no team in America can match, and it is all good, just dont get fancy and try and pass the young boy off as if he is some Dan Fouts and his youth comes into play,no need for that with a youngster at the helm,they still should easily win the Pacify oops Pac10
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9-02-2009 @ 8:55AM
Steve said...
The only way an SEC team is not going to win the championship is to somehow keep them out of the championship game. Name me an SEC team that has lost the championship.
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