Trojan Triumph

There is a new hero in Southern California.
Just his second collegiate game, 19-year old Matt Barkley, before 106,000 excitable Ohio State fans smelling blood and against the hungry Jaws of defenses nationally, calmly punched the eye of the Buckeyes with a late-game touchdown drive and two-point conversion to lift No. 3 USC to a 18-15 victory Saturday night.
It certainly wasn't the rout of meetings past, but USC, thanks to the big plays by its true freshman quarterback, found a way to move to 7-0 against Ohio State under coach Pete Carroll's tenure and 10-0 against the Big Ten.
Barkley completed passes of 21 and 26 yards and converted two fourth downs with quarterback sneaks on the winning drive that began at the Trojans' own 18 and took 14 plays.
Entering Saturday's tilt, the Trojans' average margin of victory was more than three touchdowns, and zero games were decided by 10 or fewer points.
Those games also featured Trojan teams with well established talent, many of whom are now in the NFL.
After Saturday's impressive performance it's safe to say, Barkley has established that he's well on his way.