As of a few weeks ago, USC coach Lane Kiffin indicated star quarterback Matt Barkley could be ready to play in the Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech. Barkley missed his final home game against Notre Dame with a shoulder injury he suffered late in a loss to UCLA the week before.
While Barkley could still play against the Yellow Jackets, he still hasn’t participated in practice since the injury. The Sun Bowl is now just over a week away.
“We’re going to look at it when we get down there (to El Paso), and see if he can practice,’’ Kiffin said via the OC Register.
If Barkley is unable to play, backup Max Wittek would start for the second straight time this year. Wittek threw for 186 yards, a touchdown and two picks against Notre Dame in his first start.
But here’s hoping Barkley can start. His career hasn’t been filled with the awards and championships like many fans and media thought it would be, but Barkley’s been a model example of how to handle adversity.
