The quarterback?s mistake-free play is exactly what the Trojans have needed lately now that their defense is taking the ball away from the opposition.
By MICHAEL LEV
USC quarterback Matt Barkley did not post eye-popping numbers in Saturday's 31-17 victory at Notre Dame. Barkley completed 24 of 35 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns.
But Barkley played a "really clean game," Trojans coach Lane Kiffin said. And the way USC's defense has played lately, that was more than enough.
"He's doing exactly what we need to win," Kiffin said Sunday. "If you play defense like we did the last two games, you don't need gigantic numbers."
USC's defense has eight takeaways in its past two games. Barkley has not suffered a sack or committed a turnover.
Barkley also scrambled for first downs on fourth-and-1 and third-and-1 against the Fighting Irish.
"There were dropping deep," Barkley said after the game. "Sometimes you just have to take off and run."
BAXTER'S 'SITUATION'
Kiffin gave a cryptic response when asked about tailback Dillon Baxter's status, saying: "Until Dillon's situation is finalized, I'd rather stay away from it."
Kiffin did not specify what "situation" meant. Baxter did not travel with the team to Notre Dame. He has had several off-the-field incidents since arriving at USC in spring 2010 and missed practice this past Sunday to attend to a family matter.
USC NO. 20
USC is back in the Associated Press Top 25.
After enduring a week when it was the only team in school history to be 5-1 and not in the Top 25, the Trojans came in at No. 20 in the poll released Sunday.
Next Saturday's opponent, Stanford, moved up from No. 7 to No. 4.
NOTES
Kiffin said kicker Andre Heidari was on crutches Sunday after spraining his right ankle against the Irish. Special-teams coordinator John Baxter was optimistic Saturday night that Heidari would be available against Stanford. ... Kiffin became the first USC coach to win his first away game against Notre Dame. ... Jawanza Starling's 80-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Irish was USC's longest since Zeke Moreno's 80-yarder against Oregon State in 2000. ... ESPN will broadcast its "College GameDay" show from the Coliseum on Saturday. Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Erin Andrews will call the 5 p.m. game on KABC/7.
Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com
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