Mitch Mustain

Former USC quarterback Mitch Mustain , who was arrested last month on suspicion of selling prescription narcotics, will not face misdemeanor charges if he completes a pre-file diversion program, a spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney's office said Wednesday. Mustain, 23, must complete a drug-education program, perform 100 hours of community service and not be involved in another instance with police over the course of one year, city attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said.

Cody Kessler and Jesse Scroggins saw it unfold live on television. Max Wittek was on a practice field going through an individual workout when he heard the news. It was Dec. 22 and USC quarterback Matt Barkley had just announced that he was forgoing a chance to turn pro and would remain in school through his senior season. While the decision brought wild cheers from USC fans — and a giddy grin from Coach Lane Kiffin — the three young players who would have competed to replace Barkley indulged in a moment of reflection.

After more than three seasons of sitting and watching other quarterbacks start for USC, senior Mitch Mustain is expected to be under center from the beginning Saturday night when the Trojans play Notre Dame at the Coliseum. Mustain started eight games at Arkansas in 2006 before transferring to USC. He redshirted while John David Booty started in 2007, sat behind Mark Sanchez in 2008 and backed up Matt Barkley in 2009 and this season. Mustain, 22, acknowledged that he was frustrated at times.

Reporting from South Bend, Ind. -- USC faces Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Saturday. The rivalry has a long history, and the Fighting Irish will be flashing a little something extra this time around – gold-flaked helmets, 80,000 'rally towels,' maybe a twist on the uniform. But, Coach Brian Kelly insists, it's not like they planned anything special. It's only a coincidence, Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly insists. Nothing special. No extra planning was involved.

There is no quarterback controversy at USC. Sophomore Matt Barkley was the starter last season, maintained his status this spring and, barring injury, will no doubt be under center for the Trojans when they open the season Sept. 2 at Hawaii. But on an afternoon when Barkley suffered a hand injury, senior Mitch Mustain stirred the fan base Saturday by passing for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns in the Trojans' final spring scrimmage at the Coliseum. Mustain has sat behind Mark Sanchez and Barkley since transferring from Arkansas in 2007.

And then there were . . . two? USC coaches insist the Trojans quarterback competition remains wide open. But on Tuesday, after a weekend scrimmage during which Aaron Corp and Matt Barkley each led three scoring drives, Mitch Mustain was the odd man out. The junior from Arkansas took only one snap during the final two extended team scrimmage drills, including an overtime period. Mustain acknowledged disappointment. "Obviously I'd like to keep going," he said. "I've still got two weeks left.

Mitch Mustain acknowledged the urgency. Sophomore Aaron Corp entered USC's quarterback competition with an edge and has done nothing to lose it. Freshman Matt Barkley is closing fast. So today's scrimmage on campus is a huge day for Mustain, the junior from Arkansas who is trying to remain in the race to succeed Mark Sanchez. "I've got to really have a solid performance . . . to make something out of it and kind of make a splash," Mustain said after Friday's practice.

It's 7:30 on a recent Friday morning at USC, long after spring practice has ended but still a few weeks shy of summer camp. Yet here are the Trojans, most of the team, on the practice field running plays. And in the middle of everything stands Aaron Corp, wearing his USC cap backward, calling plays, taking snaps, throwing passes. He already has been named the starter at quarterback. But his hold is tenuous. There will be plenty of official practices before the team's Sept.

USC quarterback Mitch Mustain apparently just needed a few kicks to move up the depth chart. Mustain, now the Trojans' No. 2 quarterback behind Matt Barkley , said Tuesday that his recent stint working as a punter helped him focus and perform better at his primary position. "Actually having something to do that was at least halfway constructive helped a lot," he said. Mustain is clearly buoyed by his elevated status, which was evident last week when he took most of the second-team snaps during the Trojans' off week.

Question: They call this a competition and say it's going to be competition. Do you view it that way? Answer: I certainly think I'll get a fair shot, but I don't think it's ridiculous to say that Mark's the leader. For good reason he is. I consider him the leader in the race and I think [redshirt freshman] Aaron [Corp] does, and I know the coaches do. But I think it is wide open and I think we'll all get a fair shot at it. Q: How do you overcome that?

Matt Barkley watched from the sideline at the Coliseum last November as Notre Dame ended USC's eight-game winning streak in the series. The Trojans quarterback had suffered an ankle injury the previous week. "I was feeling kind of helpless," Barkley said Tuesday. "It's a terrible feeling. " Barkley is looking forward to Saturday's game at Notre Dame Stadium, where as a freshman he passed for 380 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-27 Trojans victory in 2009. "I just remember it being electric," he said of the environment, adding that it was not as hostile as Oregon's Autzen Stadium or Ohio State's Ohio Stadium.

After watching from the stands as former teammates auditioned for NFL scouts the day before, USC quarterback Matt Barkley was asked Thursday whether he could envision himself going through a pro day workout on campus next year. "I might be out there in the same position I was [Wednesday]," the junior said. "But I could be out there on the field. " Much of Barkley's draft stock, be it in 2012 or 2013, will be determined by his efficiency. Last season, he passed for 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, an improvement over his freshman season, when he passed for 15 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.

Tyron Smith has simultaneously put on 25 pounds and lightened his load. The USC offensive tackle no longer has to make the weighty decision of where to watch next month's NFL draft. He has accepted the league's offer to await his selection at Radio City Music Hall. Not so long ago, that would have been a controversial choice. The NFL Players Assn. initially encouraged the elite prospects to snub any such offer from the league, reasoning that those players should not support a league that had locked them out. The decertified union promised to plan an "alternative" celebration in New York.

Former USC quarterback Mitch Mustain , who was arrested last month on suspicion of selling prescription narcotics, will not face misdemeanor charges if he completes a pre-file diversion program, a spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney's office said Wednesday. Mustain, 23, must complete a drug-education program, perform 100 hours of community service and not be involved in another instance with police over the course of one year, city attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said.

Former USC quarterback Mitch Mustain was arrested on suspicion of selling prescription narcotics, police said Wednesday. Mustain, 22, was arrested Tuesday at 8:10 p.m. and was booked on the felony charge at the West Valley-area station, said Los Angeles police officials. As of late Wednesday, he was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail. The arrest came as the result of a sting operation, law enforcement sources said. Police had been monitoring advertisements posted online, and Mustain was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to sell Adderall to an undercover officer, the sources said.

Richard Brehaut opened the season on the bench. Mitch Mustain has spent nearly four seasons there. But the backup quarterbacks could be at center stage Saturday night when UCLA plays USC at the Rose Bowl in the 80th meeting between the crosstown rivals. Brehaut, a sophomore, will start for the Bruins. Mustain, a fifth-year senior, will either start for the Trojans or be at the ready if Matt Barkley's injured left ankle pushes him to the sideline. Heroics by Brehaut or Mustain would not be unprecedented.

I e-mailed USC sports information director Tim Tessalone to find out what time Monday I might talk to punter Mitch Mustain . He replied: "QBs available on Tuesdays after practice as always." My response: "I had no idea Mustain is a QB -- does Pete know?" What better time to drop by USC than on "Tell the Truth Monday," as Pete & the Boys like to call it, to find out what they've got against Mustain. The last time I asked the question was during Carroll's "Tell 'em anything to go away Tuesday" media session before the season opener, Carroll becoming very testy and dismissing the question.

Cody Kessler and Jesse Scroggins saw it unfold live on television. Max Wittek was on a practice field going through an individual workout when he heard the news. It was Dec. 22 and USC quarterback Matt Barkley had just announced that he was forgoing a chance to turn pro and would remain in school through his senior season. While the decision brought wild cheers from USC fans — and a giddy grin from Coach Lane Kiffin — the three young players who would have competed to replace Barkley indulged in a moment of reflection.

As a high school and college quarterback, Lane Kiffin was known more for his football acumen than his passing or footwork. But USC's coach showed Tuesday that he knows how to dance in the pocket, especially when pressured to address quarterback Matt Barkley's status for Saturday night's game against UCLA. Barkley was sidelined last week against Notre Dame because of a left ankle sprain. The sophomore practiced Tuesday, but he was limited. Asked if he would play against the Bruins, Barkley did not hesitate.

After more than three seasons of sitting and watching other quarterbacks start for USC, senior Mitch Mustain is expected to be under center from the beginning Saturday night when the Trojans play Notre Dame at the Coliseum. Mustain started eight games at Arkansas in 2006 before transferring to USC. He redshirted while John David Booty started in 2007, sat behind Mark Sanchez in 2008 and backed up Matt Barkley in 2009 and this season. Mustain, 22, acknowledged that he was frustrated at times.