It was supposed to serve as the final proving ground for USC quarterbacks Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain in their competition to possibly replace injured starter Mark Sanchez.
It still might, but today's scrimmage at the Coliseum looks more like a stage to decide who could be Sanchez's backup.
On Wednesday, Sanchez took another step toward returning for the Aug. 30 opener at Virginia, participating in 7-on-7 passing drills for the first time since suffering a dislocated left kneecap Aug. 8. If the junior has no setbacks, he will participate in all drills next week and probably start the opener.
"He looked terrific," Coach Pete Carroll said.
Sanchez said he was "a little rusty" and his timing was a bit off. But his leg felt fine.
"I didn't even think twice about it," he said.
Sanchez moved well and threw the ball with velocity. Maybe too much. His first pass to running back Joe McKnight conjured images of a Boston Red Sox reliever, according to offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
"He threw like Jonathan Papelbon, a 99-mile-an-hour fastball -- and Joe has two [injured] fingers," Sarkisian said.
Sanchez will be held out of the scrimmage, but he took first-team snaps during the Trojans' walk-through Wednesday afternoon.
Corp took first-team snaps during the morning practice and will start the scrimmage. Corp's and Mustain's performances could go a long way toward deciding who would be No. 1 if Sanchez can't play against Virginia.
"We're going to look closely at it," Sarkisian said. "We need to assess how they can manage the football for us."
Comeback kid
Running back C.J. Gable, who suffered hip and ankle injuries Tuesday when he was tackled during a scrimmage drill, moved without crutches after the afternoon walkthrough. Players and coaches were not available to the media.
A school official said Gable suffered a hip strain and ankle sprain, but added that team medical personnel were still awaiting final results of an MRI exam.
Gable's availability for the opener is uncertain. Asked how the loss of the former Sylmar High star could affect the Trojans, Sarkisian did not hesitate.
"We lose our most complete running back," Sarkisian said. "The guy that can do all three phases of the game: can run the ball, can catch the ball and can pass protect.
"A lot of the other guys can do two of the three things. I don't know if any one of them have all three facets."
