Corp moves up to No. 2 slot

Aaron Corp once again is one play away.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that the redshirt freshman quarterback had performed well enough during postseason practices to be starter Mark Sanchez’s backup for Thursday’s Rose Bowl game against Penn State.

“I feel confident and comfortable,” Corp said. “I’m excited to regain the spot.”

Corp began the season in the same one.

With Sanchez sidelined during much of training camp because of a knee injury, Corp competed with sophomore transfer Mitch Mustain for a possible starting role. Sanchez returned before the opener against Virginia and Corp was installed as the backup.

Corp, however, lost the job because of mental mistakes made during bye-week practices after a victory over Ohio State. Mustain also struggled, and both dropped behind Garrett Green for the next game at Oregon State.

Mustain was elevated to No. 2 after the loss at Corvallis, Ore., and he held it the rest of the season.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Corp outplayed Mustain during bowl practices, Carroll said.

“He’s been very consistent all through the whole preparation,” Carroll said. “He just kind of jumped to the front so he deserves it and he earned it.”

Corp made the jump by eliminating miscues in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. He also appears to have grown stronger physically.

Though Sanchez has proved durable during games, Corp said he would be ready if the fourth-year junior is injured or removed from the game.

The mind-set of being No. 2 differs from No. 3.

“You just know you’re one snap away rather than having something crazy happen to get in,” said Corp, who has played in five games, completing two of four passes.

In the trenches

Sophomore nose tackle Christian Tupou is preparing to play against Penn State’s A.Q. Shipley, winner of the Rimington Award as college football’s top center.

“He’s the best of the best,” Tupou said of the 6-1, 300-pound senior. “I really can’t point out a weakness.”

Shipley is aided by senior left guard Rich Ohrnberger and sophomore right guard Stefen Wisniewski. The trio has keyed the Nittany Lions’ power running game.

“They reach guys out of their gaps, they’re blocking downfield, pushing guys way off the ball and creating holes for the running backs,” said the 6-2, 280-pound Tupou. “Those guys are the unspoken heroes.”

Small wonder

Running back Curtis McNeal, generously listed at 5-8, had perhaps the biggest play of the day when he slammed into middle linebacker Rey Maualuga while carrying the ball on the final snap of practice.

“I didn’t see him [until] the last second; I just dipped my head,” McNeal said.

McNeal, a former Venice High star who did not receive academic clearance until after the season opener, has attempted to make a big impression on the scout team.

Quick kicks

Carroll said there was no update on fullback Stanley Havili, who has been unable to practice because of academic ineligibility. D.J. Shoemate, Rhett Ellison and Adam Goodman will probably share playing time against Penn State. . . . After two days of practice on the women’s soccer field a few blocks from campus, the Trojans are scheduled to return to their regular practice facility.

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gary.klein@latimes.com