USC competition heats up between Sanchez, Mustain

USC’s much-ballyhooed quarterback competition finally began to look like one on Thursday, with junior Mark Sanchez and sophomore Mitch Mustain engaging in what occasionally seemed like a game of one-upsmanship.

“Today was really the first day when I felt confidence that I could come out and actually play my game and compete a little bit,” Mustain said.

Mustain, who started eight games at Arkansas in 2006, clearly benefited from the extended and faster scrimmage drills during the second half of the Trojans’ sixth spring workout. Mustain was at his best when plays broke down, completing several impressive passes on the run.

During one period, Sanchez connected with split end David Ausberry on a difficult throw, only to have Mustain immediately follow with a sideline strike to receiver Brandon Carswell.

The full-pads workout concluded when linebacker Malcolm Smith intercepted a tipped pass by Sanchez, but Sanchez, Mustain and redshirt freshman Aaron Corp all played substantially better than the previous three workouts.

“To end on a pick like that is frustrating … but I felt good and everything else felt good,” said Sanchez, who remains the leading candidate to succeed John David Booty as the starter. “It felt like we were starting to click a little bit and starting to get a little momentum.”

Coach Pete Carroll praised Sanchez, Mustain and Corp, but said the lack of protection, especially by the second-unit offensive line, was “forcing them to show us their resourcefulness… . We’re not really happy with the protection of the second group.”

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Corp is coming on after consulting with USC pitching coach Tom House and implementing some mechanical adjustments in his throwing motion.

“Before, I would step and my shoulders and hips would come through at the same time,” Corp said. “Now, it’s just my hips coming through first. It creates a little more torque.”

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Senior cornerback Cary Harris is a two-year starter, but he knows that coaches regard his position as up for grabs with the maturation of junior Shareece Wright and the return of Kevin Thomas and Josh Pinkard from injuries.

Harris sent a message by delivering huge hits on consecutive plays, first breaking up a pass to running back Allen Bradford and then pounding receiver Travon Patterson. Both plays generated whoops and hollers from fans and the Trojans defense.

“I’m still here,” Harris said.

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The Trojans practice Friday, will be off Saturday and will scrimmage Sunday… . With receiver Damian Williams still out because of a foot injury, Ausberry and Patterson got more opportunities. Both made several outstanding catches… . Safety Taylor Mays sat out much of practice after he was kneed in the thigh, Carroll said. Running back Joe McKnight (hip) also was limited. Linebacker Rey Maualuga remained out because of a hamstring strain, Carroll said… . Redshirt freshmen tailback Marc Tyler had the most impressive run of the day, moving left and then cutting back against the grain for a long gain.

gary.klein@latimes.com