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Check out the FIRST QUARTER UPDATE for a recap of the first quarter.
After a slow start, true freshman Matt Barkley finally got settled and started showing the nation exactly what he can do on the field.
Barkley engineered a scoring drive from the Spartans 45-yard line that was capped off by a 4-yard run, compliments of Stafon Johnson. Enroute to the score, Barkley looked sharp, completing a couple of passes to his fullback Havili and the wideout Ausberry.
Stafon ran for another touchdown with a little over five minutes left in the second quarter. The Trojans got the ball back after recovering a Spartans’ fumble and drove 58 yards for the score. A 33-yard dink-and-dunk pass from Barkley to wideout Damian Williams highlighted the drive.
Allen Bradford, considered the fourth tailback in a stable of awesome running backs, broke through the Spartans defense for a 43-yard touchdown. Joe McKnight also got in on the festivities, scoring from six yards out to cap off an impressive second quarter for the Trojans.
Pete Carroll and the rest of the Southern Cal coaching staff have been incredibly cautious with the play calling as they appear to be easing in the true freshman Barkley. The only time that Barkley even attempted a deep ball was when he was throwing the ball away due to pressure from the Spartans staunch defense.
Quick notes:
- Damian Williams looked pretty darn smooth on a 33-yard pass play in the 2nd quarter.
- Good news for the defense, linebacker Chris Galippo seems to be everywhere on the field.
- Malcolm Smith is looking pretty swift as well.
- Trojans have slowly churned out 279 yards of total offense in the first half after a slow start to the game.
- Jurrell Casey is a big boy, who is tough to stop at the DT position.
- Ausberry is filling in nicely for the injured Johnson. Johnson’s injury may give him a chance to finally break out and show his big-play potential.
- USC’s first five possessions (3 punts, 2 turnovers)
- USC’s last four possessions (4 touchdowns)
Recent news:
USC ranks #4 in Examiner.com Top 25 poll
Matt Barkley a mixed bag based on mock scrimmage
True freshman Matt Barkley to lead Men of Troy
Walk-on Jordan Congdon walks into starting job at kicker
O'Dowd on the O'rebound
Training camp update: Trojans in the NFL (Part IV)
Photo finish: A look at USC's Fall Camp 2009
Mark Sanchez named starting QB for the Jets
Trojans vs. Buckeyes gets the 3-D treatment
School is back in session:
USC 101: History of the Song Girl
USC 101: Meet Pete Carroll (Part I)
USC 101: Meet Pete Carroll (Part II)
USC 101: A look at the Trojans 2009 football schedule
USC 101: The many ways to catch USC football in 2009
USC 101: Five football questions that need to be asked and answered
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