As Matt Barkley has suddenly begun to realize “oh sh-t, I’m a true freshman!”, Southern Cal received some good news as far as injuries to both the quarterback and the man who has said quarterback’s hands implanted in his nether regions are concerned.
Erstwhile starting QB Aaron Corp could return next week after X-rays revealed his cracked fibula is progressing at a rate slightly better than expected.
Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, the timeline for the return of offensive line linchpin Kristopher O’Dowd has been set at 2-3 weeks.
O’Dowd has a dislocated kneecap, but a medical examination has deemed surgery unnecessary. Even if the All-Pac 10 center is out for the three weeks, he would still return in time for USC’s trip to Columbus for the rematch with Ohio State.
The news on the injury front comes at a good time for the Trojans, who watched Barkley struggle Monday like he hadn’t at any point during his eight months with the club.
“It was the first time Matt showed he could have a day like that,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “He hadn’t had a day like that before.”
