USC’s Matt Barkley on track to start against UCLA

USC quarterback Matt Barkley, on track to start against UCLA on Saturday night, said Thursday that he was not concerned that the Bruins might target his injured left ankle.

“It might happen, maybe get a late hit or something like that,” Barkley said after practice. “I don’t think you can be worried about that when you play because that will just hold you back.”

Barkley, sidelined last week against Notre Dame, took the majority of first-team reps and showed improved mobility.

“I would anticipate him starting,” Coach Lane Kiffin said. “It will be a decision as we get a little closer. … We’ll see how sore he is [Friday].”

Barkley is wearing a brace on his left ankle, which was injured at the end of the first half against Oregon State on Nov. 20.

The sophomore was held out of nearly all drills last week but has shown marked improvement since returning to practice Tuesday.

“Throwing on the run is still the one thing that’s kind of iffy,” he said. “But, hopefully, that will be good in two days.”

Senior Mitch Mustain, the starter against Notre Dame, is prepared to step in if called upon.

“They seem pretty ready to put him in there, so we’ll go with that and see what happens with it,” Mustain said. “I’m prepared to play the whole game if need be.”

End of the line

Thursday’s workout was the final full practice for Trojans seniors.

Other players did not form a human tunnel to send them off, as has been custom, but that tradition could continue after a walk-through in T-shirts and shorts Friday.

“These last three weeks have gone by like five minutes,” senior center Kristofer O’Dowd said. “I’ve tried to take in everything. There’s ups and downs in everything in life, and it’s how you look at them.

“Throughout my career here there’ve been a lot of both and I’m happy to be a Trojan.”

Fullback Stanley Havili, a fifth-year senior, surveyed the practice facility before exiting.

“I’ve been here forever, played a lot of games and put a lot onto this field,” he said, “so I’m just excited to go out there and finish my last game.”

Kiffin said he would not specifically play seniors in their final game because of sentimentality. But he allowed that a senior might play harder because the Notre Dame and UCLA games are so meaningful.

“It’s not a gift to them — it’s just a competitive edge that you’d think they would have because they’re so into the game,” he said.

Quick hits

Kiffin said he had yet to decide on a starting tailback. … Cornerback Brian Baucham, who suffered a shoulder injury against Notre Dame, practiced for the first time but was limited.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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