USC QB Matt Barkley to Play in Sun Bowl

By Michael Amato

 

Jayne Kamin-Oncea – US Presswire

 

When the USC Trojans take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31st, their quarterback Matt Barkley should return to the lineup. Head coach Lane Kiffin made the announcement and is confident Barkley can go after missing the Trojans final regular season game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a sprained shoulder.

The game will be an exciting opportunity for both Barkley and the Trojans. USC hasn’t been to a bowl game in the past two seasons thanks to sanctions on the team after it was discovered that former running back Reggie Bush had received improper benefits. USC came into 2012 ranked number one and needless to say a 7-5 campaign was a major disappointment. They surely will be looking to make statement against Georgia Tech and go out on a high-note.

Barkley will be looking to show scouts some of the magic that he displayed so often in 2011. Had he left college after last season and declared for the draft, he surely would have been a top five pick. Now coming off a shoulder injury and a year that saw his interception totals more than double, there is some question as to where Barkley will be taken come April.

USC’s opponent will be playing in the Sun Bowl for the second straight season. The Yellow Jackets actually finished 2012 with a 6-7 record, but were granted a waiver from the NCAA to appear in a bowl game. Although Georgia Tech has lost their last seven bowl games, they are tied at the fourth-longest active streak in college football by appearing in 15 straight bowls.

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