The Barkley-Woods Connection is Alive and Well

The Trojans concluded their fall camp on Sunday in a fitting way, at the Coliseum in the their third scrimmage, or as Lane Kiffin likes to call them: preseason games.

As mentioned last week, the ankle of Robert Woods had started to take a toll on the Trojans, not only on coach Lane Kiffin, but other receivers and quarterback Matt Barkley. Sunday however, Woods got the green light from Kiffin and surely didn’t disappoint.

Despite starting 1-for-7, Barkley had an enormous day through the air, feeding Robert Woods, as the potent duo hooked up for three scores on the day. Woods totaled six catches for 122 yards, and Barkley wasn’t too shabby either, racking up 261 passing yards and five touchdowns. It’s safe to say that both Barkley and Woods are officially back.

It hasn’t been a secret that Barkley struggled during camp, and when you take into account the ankle injury to Robert Woods, it’s easy to see just how much those two needed a big day on Sunday. The health and production of the duo is likely to be the telling sign of the Trojans this season, as just a year ago they were seconds away from beating a high-ranking Stanford squad, thanks to the pair.

Woods spoke to the media afterwards, and here’s what they had to say:

In other news from the scrimmage, Kiffin began the game in what he said would be the starting lineup as of now. The notables to get the start? Safety Jawanza Starling, linebacker Marquis Simmons and guard Abe Markowitz, all of whom battled for a starting role during the camp. Simmons was the most surprising of the trio to start, due to the emergence of Dion Bailey as a likely candidate to start at outside linebacker.

Looking back at the offense, Kiffin started Curtis McNeal at running back again, noting than Amir Carlisle had taken over Dillon Baxter for the No. 2 spot in the backfield. It makes you wonder what’s more of an influence in that? Carlisle’s phenomenal start to camp, or Kiffin’s nearly obscene need to continuously motivate Baxter. Given the comments of Kiffin throughout camp, and the performances with the first team in the absence of Marc Tyler, there really is little reason why Baxter shouldn’t have locked up the top job a while ago. For Kiffin, McNeal’s intangibles are a big deal, but is that enough of a reason to continuously challenge Baxter without any reinforcement? I’m not so sure.

Neither of the running backs performed well on Sunday nonetheless, as the passing game was far and away the priority. Current fourth stringer D.J. Morgan led the group in carries and yardage, going 12 for 44. Carlisle struggled profoundly, with only 10 yards on seven carries.

Also, it appears as though Cody Kessler has all but wrapped the backup quarterback role, as the Bakersfield product threw for 229 yards and a couple of scores, despite being a smidge under 50-percent on the day. Marqise Lee also had a big scrimmage, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, with 165 yards on seven catches. Also, Nickell Robey scored on a 90-yard fumble return, and kicker Andre Heidari added two field goals, the first from 48-yards.

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Tags: Fall Camp, Matt Barkley, Robert Woods, USC