USC’s Sanchez takes all first-team snaps

USC’s third week of spring practice began Tuesday with what appeared to be a subtle shift in the quarterback competition.

Unlike the first two weeks, when Mark Sanchez shared some of the first-team snaps with Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp, Sanchez took every one.

Sanchez performed much like he did in Sunday’s scrimmage; short on highlight-reel plays but long on efficiency. With only six workouts left – including two scrimmages – the fourth-year junior from Mission Viejo seems to have widened the gap in the race to become John David Booty’s successor.

“I’ve really made a concerted effort to be efficient and take care of the ball and I’m accomplishing my goal so far,” said Sanchez, the front-runner to win the job when spring practice began. “We have six more practices and I have to do the same thing.”

Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian praised Sanchez’s command and the tempo with which he has run the offense of late.

“Even the mistakes that appear that he’s made haven’t necessarily been all his,” said Sarkisian, adding, “There’s obviously a lot of room for improvement still, but I like where he’s at.”

Despite struggling against the first-team defense during Sunday’s scrimmage, Mustain was thought to have gained momentum by passing for three touchdowns against reserves.

But on Tuesday, he split second-team snaps with Corp. When the Trojans went through an overtime drill, only Corp and Sanchez directed the offense.

Sarkisian said Mustain would get ample opportunity in the remaining workouts and scrimmages.

“Obviously, Mitch has a lot of big play-making ability to be able to throw the ball down the field, but there’s a lot of other factors he needs to improve on,” Sarkisian said.

Mustain did not disagree.

“I’m going to push for the job, but I’ve stopped worrying about the time [remaining],” Mustain said. “It’s something that will take care of itself. I’ve just got to get better.”

Though Mustain started eight games for Arkansas as a freshman in 2006, his experience in the Trojans’ offense puts him on par with Corp, according to Sarkisian.

“Aaron is a redshirt freshman and really in our system so is Mitch,” Sarkisian said. “And although he played the eight games at Arkansas, in our system these two guys are in the same boat right now.”

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Senior linebacker Brian Cushing participated in full-contact scrimmage drills for the first time since off-season ankle surgery.

“Cutting off it, I’m a little hesitant still, but I’ll get that back with the practices. I’m not worried about it,” Cushing said.

Cushing was selected to Playboy’s preseason All-American team.

“It’s an honor, of course, but it really doesn’t mean anything – it’s preseason,” Cushing said. “I want to be an All-American at the end of the season and take this team to where it needs to be.”

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Safety Taylor Mays and tight end Anthony McCoy were held out because of concussive symptoms that resulted from a collision in Sunday’s scrimmage… . Tailback Allen Bradford had another long touchdown run… . Joe McKnight was excused from practice to concentrate on academics, and offensive tackle Butch Lewis was absent because of illness, Coach Pete Carroll said… . The Trojans are off Wednesday and will resume practice Thursday.

gary.klein@latimes.com