Matt Barkley a mixed bag based on mock scrimmage

(A/P Photo)

Coach Pete Carroll and Matt Barkley made headlines after the head coach of the Trojans vaulted the true freshman into the starting role on Thursday.

It was thought that Coach Carroll would wait until after Saturday's mock game or dress rehearsal of sorts before naming the starting quarterback for the Trojans; however, he shocked many by naming Barkley as his man earlier in the week.

The Trojans are counting on Barkley to mature in a hurry, but after the first half of Saturday's scrimmage, it appears Barkley still has a ways to go.

Barkley fared better than his earlier scrimmage but was still shaky in the first half, throwing for 113 yards on 6 of 11 passes along with one interception. Barkley also recorded a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

It is unknown whether the results of the mock game will have Pete Carroll reconsidering his decision to name the true freshman as his quarterback going into the start of the season.

In other news, USC's receiving corps took a major hit after Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone during the mock game.

According to ABC7:

Johnson was hurt Saturday during the second series of the mock game at the Coliseum when he was tackled after catching an underthrown 34-yard pass from freshman quarterback Matt Barkley.

The injury to Johnson does not bode well for the Trojans, who need as many of their starters on the field in order to ease Matt Barkley's development.

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