Matt Barkley on return to USC: 'I don't regret it one bit'

Although Matt Barkley will be injured and unable to play in the final home game of his USC career, the quarterback has no regrets about returning to school for his senior year.

Here is what Barkley had to say about the decision, with his quotes coming via an Associated Press article on AOL.com:

"It didn't turn out the way I planned," Barkley said. "But I think over these last four years, and especially this year, I've learned so much."

Barkley then told the AP:

"I don't regret it one bit."

It's safe to say that things haven't gone quite as planned for the senior quarterback and his USC teammates. Last spring, Barkley was projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick, but he turned down NFL riches to return for his final year of eligibility at USC. And because of Barkley's return, the Trojans were picked by many as the No. 1 team in the country and entered the season as a national championship favorite, as well.

Unfortunately for USC, neither Barkley nor the team has lived up to expectations.

Barkley has personally struggled, throwing 15 interceptions to go along with his 36 touchdown passes, and his season unceremoniously came to an end last Saturday when he separated his shoulder late in a 38-28 loss to UCLA. The loss dropped the Trojans to a disappointing 7-4 on the season and out of the Top 25.

USC will host No. 1 Notre Dame Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.