USC’s Sanchez Is Ready for a Real Test

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is looking forward to what he described as “a great test.”

Quarterback coach Steve Sarkisian called it “almost a pre-final.”

Today, USC will measure Sanchez’s progress during the annual “Trojan Huddle” scrimmage at the Coliseum.

“It will be a real game-like situation for me, which is what they need to see to make sure I’m not just a practice All-American,” said Sanchez, a redshirt freshman who has taken first-team snaps since junior John David Booty suffered a back injury the first day of spring practice. Booty had surgery last week.

Sanchez’s first foray into game situations at the Coliseum this spring produced mixed results. He completed 13 of 28 passes for 234 yards with a touchdown but had two passes intercepted in a mock-game last week.

“I was a little timid, I wasn’t myself,” he said. “I wasn’t a commanding authority out there. I was just kind of going through it trying not to mess up, and in trying not to mess up I blew it.

“Now it’s a matter of attacking the defense.”

The Trojans are low on healthy frontline players, especially at tailback, so fullbacks Brandon Hancock and Ryan Powdrell are expected to share the bulk of the carries.

Admission to the scrimmage is $10. Gates open at 11:30 and the scrimmage will begin at 1 p.m.