Aaron Corp Gets His Chance

LOS ANGELES -- When USC's first-string offense takes the field at Washington on Saturday, the Trojans are expected to have third-year sophomore quarterback Aaron Corp leading the way.

Corp will be making his first career start after watching true freshman Matt Barkley lead USC to victories over San Jose State and Ohio State to open the season.

But with Barkley sidelined because of a right shoulder injury that he suffered in the third quarter against the Buckeyes, Corp has worked as the starter throughout the week in practice and Coach Pete Carroll seems confident in Corp playing against the Huskies.

"This is what he's been preparing for all along," Carroll said after Thursday's practice. "It's been in his mind that he's the starter."

Corp, who is more mobile than Barkley, played sparingly last season as a backup to starter to Mark Sanchez. But he's considered a veteran to his teammates.

"People seem to forget that Aaron Corp was our starting quarterback at the beginning of camp until he got hurt," USC starting offensive guard Jeff Byers said.

"Matt Barkley took advantage of the opportunity and earned that spot. Aaron is finally healthy and is playing great ball. We know that he can do the job. They are both fabulous quarterbacks. We are not stepping back at all. That's for sure."

Corp was 4-for-4 passing and led two fourth-quarter scoring drives in USC's 56-3 season-opening victory over San Jose State. Against Ohio State last week, Corp warmed up when Barkley suffered his injury in the third quarter, but did not play.

"Aaron knows he's ready to go," Carroll said. "I've told him, 'Get ready. You have to be thinking and preparing like you're starting the football game.' "

For Corp, this is just the latest twist in a rollercoaster early season.

After winning the starting job by outplaying Barkley and Mitch Mustain, a former Arkansas starter who transferred to USC, in spring drills, Corp spent the entire offseason as the Trojans' new leader.

Corp would be the first in the huddle calling plays in voluntary workouts and often traveled with USC wide receivers to find additional work against a variety of defensive backs around Southern California.

But once USC's training camp began, Corp was unable to maintain this role when he suffered a leg injury in the first week of camp. Once Corp returned to practice, he was less than 100 percent and that gave Barkley a chance to step up.

The true freshman did and Carroll named Barkley the starter to open the season.

"I have to practice well and just be ready," Corp told FanHouse before the season began. "[If Barkley had not already been named starter for San Jose State], we probably would have split the reps a little more but the decision was made.

"All I can do is keep battling and staying in there."

And now, thanks to Barkley's injury, Corp will get his chance.

Byers said it's going to be USC's offensive line that makes sure Corp's starting debut is a success.

"Matt is a tremendous quarterback and we're not taking anything away from him," Byers said. "We love Aaron just as much as we love Matt. He's a wonderful athlete and a wonderful quarterback.

"But you always rather have an experienced offensive line because everything starts up front. If you can't give the quarterback time, it doesn't matter how good of wide receivers that you have. If you can't open up holes, it doesn't matter how good your running backs are. That's just the way it is."