LOS ANGELES — One quarterback plans to play regardless of his health. The other is preparing as if he’s the starter and desperately wants a shot at redemption. The coach still doesn’t know who will take the first snap.

Just another day of quarterback drama at USC.
Freshman Matt Barkley practiced Tuesday but couldn’t throw with his usual velocity because of lingering tightness in his bruised right shoulder. After missing USC’s upset loss at Washington, he vowed to return against Washington State on Saturday.
“I’m playing no matter what,” Barkley said. “I don’t care if it hurts or not, I’ll be in there.”
Coach Pete Carroll wasn’t nearly as resolute and acknowledged the situation could play out as it did last week, when he refused to name a starter. Carroll waited until the morning of the game to see if
Barkley could go before officially handing the reins to third-year sophomore Aaron Corp, who struggled.
“I don’t think I have any choice at this point. I don’t know which way to go yet,” Carroll said. “I’d like Barkley to get back in there. We’ll just have to wait to be sure. ... We’ll see what happens.”
Carroll said managing Barkley’s reps and making sure he doesn’t overdo it is “the most difficult challenge right now.” Carroll also must deal with a frisky young player who, like a pitcher without his best fastball, is willing to take the ball and take his chances.
“If I’m the same today as I am on Saturday, then I’ll just make it work,” Barkley said.
Corp was in better spirits Tuesday after a rough starting debut. Asked if he was aware of all the criticism he is facing, Corp jokingly responded: “Criticism?”
His self-critique of his performance at Washington remained the same: He wasn’t happy about it. Corp is hopeful it won’t be his last shot.
“I’d like to get back out there and get a win under my belt,” he said. “Coming off that field was not a good feeling, and I don’t want that to be my only feeling as a starter. I definitely want to get back out there and prove that I am capable and that this team is the real deal.”
MAYS UPDATE
Carroll was disappointed that All-America safety Taylor Mays was unable to practice Tuesday. Mays, who missed the Washington game because of a sprained right knee, ran full speed straight ahead but still isn’t able to do all the necessary lateral movements.
“I don’t think that’s a great sign,” Carroll said. “I was hoping he’d be ready. That doesn’t mean he won’t make it (for Washington State).
“I wished he would be able to do more than that. He did all the early-practice stuff and got the assignment stuff and all that, but we’re still restricting him. That’s not great for him.”
NOTES
Third-year sophomore Jordan Campbell got most of the reps at weakside linebacker in place of Malcolm
Smith (ankle), but Carroll said others would rotate there throughout the week. Luthur Brown and Shane
Horton are the other candidates. ... Team sack leader Nick Perry worked extensively with the first unit at defensive end opposite Everson Griffen. ... Nickel cornerback Brian Baucham remained out after suffering abrasions in a traffic accident last week.