Sanchez appears to have won USC quarterback job
USC FOOTBALL
Carroll says the junior would be Trojans' starter if the season opened this week. But the coach adds, 'the competition is still open.'
USC's quarterback competition is apparently over.
Shortly before the Trojans took the field for Tuesday's practice, Coach Pete Carroll said on his website that Mark Sanchez would start if USC were playing a game Saturday. The Trojans will hold their annual spring scrimmage Saturday at the Coliseum.
Sanchez, a fourth-year junior from Mission Viejo, started three games last season in place of injured John David Booty. He began spring practice three weeks ago as the acknowledged front-runner in a competition with sophomore transfer Mitch Mustain and redshirt freshman Aaron Corp.
"But as always is the case here, the competition is still open," Carroll said.
That seems unlikely, given that Sanchez has taken the majority of first-team snaps throughout spring practice, including two scrimmages.
Last Saturday, after he completed nine of 17 passes for 97 yards and guided the offense to two field goals and a touchdown, Sanchez was asked if he thought of himself as the leader going into the final week of workouts.
"Definitely, of course," he said.
Sanchez cited his efficiency and game-management skills.
"I'm taking care of the ball pretty well and managing the club," said Sanchez, who threw one intercepted pass in two scrimmages. "We've had some good, long drives and I'm expressing my leadership. Things are starting to click with that first offensive unit."
gary.klein@latimes.com
