USC football: Lane Kiffin says Matt Barkley will play against UCLA

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USC Coach Lane Kiffin on Tuesday told Times columnist T.J. Simers that quarterback Matt Barkley will play Saturday against UCLA.

Barkley was in uniform but did not play against Notre Dame because of a high ankle sprain suffered against Oregon State.

Simers said he told Kiffin that he had seen Barkley walking on campus and that the sophomore was limping slightly.

‘Slightly,’ Kiffin said.

‘So does that mean he will play?’ Simers asked.

‘He will play,’ Kiffin said. ‘Notice I didn’t say, like I normally do, ‘I hope he’ll play.’ ‘

The Trojans resume practice Tuesday afternoon.

Mitch Mustain will start against the Bruins if Barkley’s ankle is not sound.

I’ll have more later at latimes.com/sports

--Gary Klein