QB Matt Barkley will miss Saturday's regular season finale against Notre Dame with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, Lane Kiffin announced on his weekly conference call. Max Wittek will start in the senior's place against the No. 1 Fighting Irish.
Barkley was injured on a crunching hit in the fourth quarter against UCLA, which knocked him out of the game. Wittek, who succeeded Barkley at Mater Dei High School, has played in six games this season completing eight passes in nine attempts for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Coincidentally, Barkley sat out the 2010 Notre Dame game at the Coliseum with an ankle injury. On that night, he was relieved by Mitch Mustain in a losing effort.
Barkley was injured on a crunching hit in the fourth quarter against UCLA, which knocked him out of the game. Wittek, who succeeded Barkley at Mater Dei High School, has played in six games this season completing eight passes in nine attempts for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Coincidentally, Barkley sat out the 2010 Notre Dame game at the Coliseum with an ankle injury. On that night, he was relieved by Mitch Mustain in a losing effort.
Wittek was named the backup before the season over Cody Kessler, but Kiffin has stated several times that the two redshirt freshmen will compete for the starting job next spring. There is no word on whether or not Barkley will be available for the bowl game.
Barkley and Wittek...
Thanks, Matt. What you have done means a lot to all of us.