Barkley gets first touchdown pass

Staff Writer

Sept. 5, 2009 3:38 PM PT

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It wasn’t fancy but it goes in the record books.

With just under 8:30 remaining in the third quarter, USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley faked a handoff, rolled right and lofted the ball four yards to tight end Rhett Ellison for the first touchdown pass of his college career.

The score gave USC a 42-3 lead in an offensive performance that, for Saturday at least, should quiet the debate over Coach Pete Carroll’s selection of Barkley over third-year sophomore Aaron Corp.

Of course, the Trojans travel to Ohio State next week.

-- David Wharton

Sports Now

David Wharton

David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.

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