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Barkley leads USC to victory
By Jeremy Kahn December 26, 2009 |
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SAN FRANCISCO-After playing in the BCS for the past seven years, the University of Southern California Trojans faltered this season and ended up playing in the Emerald Bowl. Freshman Matt Barkley threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, as the 24th ranked Trojans defeated the Boston College Eagles 24-13 before 40,121 in the eighth annual Emerald Bowl at AT&T Park. Damian Williams was on the receiving end of 10 catches for 118 yards, including a 38-yard reception in the fourth quarter that basically sealed the game for the Trojans. Williams, a junior could possibly leave for the NFL, and as the fans chanted one more year, Williams also received an endorsement from a teammate. “I second that (the fans one more season to Damian). He’s had such a great season,” said Barkley. Without Joe McKnight, who was forced to sit out the game after being investigated for driving around Los Angeles in a SUV that was not properly registered to the running back. “I’d go about it differently. I think we should take care of our care first. I’d like to be discussions about to handle things in the future,” said Pete Carroll. Allen Bradford carried the ball 14 times for 57 yards in place of McKnight, as the Trojans won their fourth straight bowl game and are now 7-2 since Carroll took over the program back in 2001. The Eagles also started a freshman at quarterback, but there was one difference between Barkley and Eagles quarterback Dave Shinskie. After he graduated from high school, Shinskie did not come to straight to college, but instead signed a professional baseball contract with the Minnesota Twins as a right-handed pitcher. Shinskie, who is 25 years old, is known as Uncle Dave by teammates and went 9-for-19 for 167 yards passing and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Rich Gunnell caught three passes for 91 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown pass that cut the Trojans lead down to 14-13. Following that touchdown, Jordan Congdon connected for a 38-yard field goal to put the Trojans up by four in the third quarter. Barkley sealed the deal with 11:53 remaining in the game, as he plunged in from a yard out to give the Trojans their final margin of victory. Williams was named the most outstanding offensive player, while freshman Luke Kuechly of the Eagles took home the most outstanding defensive player award after a 16 tackle game, including six solo and 10 assists. |
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