Starting as a true freshman is nothing new for USC quarterback Matt Barkley, and neither is playing in some of college football’s most daunting venues.
In his first year under center he’s led the No. 4 Trojans (6-1, 3-1 Pacific-10 Conference) to three road victories against Ohio State, California and Notre Dame, and this weekend’s matchup with the No. 10 Oregon Ducks will be another test of character for the young signal-caller.
Through the first seven games, Barkley has thrown completed 97 passes for 1,540 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions, while leading the Pac-10 in both passing yards per game with 256.7 and passer efficiency rating with 148.7. But what separates him from most true freshman quarterbacks is his poise under pressure.
“He’s played in big games before,” Oregon linebacker Spencer Paysinger said. “He’s won championships, and he came to SC early to learn the playbook. He’s a freshman quarterback, but he definitely doesn’t play like a freshman because he doesn’t have many flaws.”
The thought of coming to Autzen Stadium on Halloween night for what has been hyped up to be the game of the year in the Pac-10 would be a startling task for a quarterback of any age, but with the composure Barkley has shown so far it looks as though the rowdy Oregon faithful will have their work cut out for them.
Paysinger feels that if the Duck defense can disguise its fronts and keep things moving, then Barkley could have trouble with the play-calling.
“They read the most intricate things,” he said. “So for us to move and shift, along with playing a night game in Autzen with our fans, it’s going to be really difficult for a quarterback to come in here and win.”
But for ninth-year head coach Pete Carroll, the talent surrounding Barkley ought to be reassuring.
“You know, the noise is one aspect,” Carroll said. “But you can feel the intensity of their crowd and they do a good job.”
The USC backfield features a plethora of talent, with junior running back Joe McKnight leading the Trojans with 634 yards on 97 carries, while reaching the end zone seven times.
McKnight has had to split time with junior Allen Bradford who has tallied 386 yards and four scores as a backup this season.
On the outside, USC features yet another versatile wide receiver and return man in junior Damian Williams. Williams has pulled down 34 receptions for 525 yards and three touchdowns, while returning 15 punts for 270 yards and two more scores.
“I hope we’ll continue to be really explosive (on punt return),” Carroll said. “Guys are working really hard on that team and they believe in (Williams) and know he can take it to the house.”
Senior tight end Anthony McCoy has been a major contributor to the Trojan offense that averages 31.4 points per game, as he’s pulled down 16 receptions for 375 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-5 inch, 250-pound McCoy was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention selection last season, and has been one of Barkley’s favorite targets so far this season.
“They have very talented athletes at every position,” Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti said, “which creates matchup problems. They’ll make some plays and score some points.”
And with numerous talented athletes playing for USC throughout Carroll’s tenure, his teams have become notorious for winning on the biggest of stages. But as the Ducks showed in 2007, coming to Autzen can be a whole different obstacle.
“(We) love being in these settings,” Carroll concluded. “And every one of these road challenges have been enormous for us and the guys have really looked forward to it.”
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