USC's final practice before the Trojans' first in full pads took on a palpable sense of urgency Saturday as quarterbacks Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp battled for a possible starting job in place of injured Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez suffered a dislocated left kneecap Friday, an injury less serious than a possible season-ending ligament tear. But the fourth-year junior's availability for the Aug. 30 opener at Virginia and beyond is up in the air.
The opportunity has infused Mustain, a transfer from Arkansas, and Corp, a redshirt freshman. Both consciously asserted themselves as if they were the starter.
"It gives you a little shot," Mustain said. "The way you prepare doesn't really change, but it does give you that little edge."
Mustain and Corp both had their moments on a day when the Trojans concentrated on third-down situations.
"I think I'm in a good spot right now," Corp said. "I just have to keep consistent, keep doing well."
Coach Pete Carroll said Mustain and Corp would be evaluated on an ongoing basis. For all the good plays each made, bad ones were not a surprise.
"There's obviously some times when they're struggling with the installation and they're thinking [too much]," Carroll said. "That's totally what should happen."
Sanchez, who will begin rehabilitation Monday, stayed close. With his left leg elevated, he drove a cart to different areas of the practice fields to watch and offer encouragement.
"He's yelling at guys and trying to get his two cents in," Carroll joked.
Sanchez said his knee felt better and that he was mostly encouraged by dozens of phone calls and text messages from well-wishers and others who wanted to relay recovery stories. Projections regarding his return ranged from 10 days to four weeks.
"I'm hoping mine will be like all the shorter ones I heard," he said.
Speaking from experience
Sophomore center Kristofer O'Dowd sat out six games last season after suffering a dislocated kneecap against Washington.
O'Dowd required surgery because of cartilage damage. Sanchez's injury is not believed to be as serious, but the quarterback still had questions for O'Dowd, who told Sanchez, "It's going to feel like you tore your ACL or something because it's going to hurt on the side and then in the middle. You're fine. It's just the soreness."
O'Dowd could not help noticing the cart Sanchez was driving.
"I never got a cart," he quipped. "I didn't even get a crutch."
