USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley completed 26 of 39 passes for 324 yards against the Syracuse Orange on Saturday night. He threw five touchdowns for the third time in his career, tying the USC school record. As a result, Barkley was rewarded with the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week. It is the second time the junior quarterback has won the weekly award in his collegiate career.
↵Sophomore receiver Robert Woods is Barkley's favorite target this season, with 33 catches through three games, but constant double teams have forced Barkley to spread the ball around. His five touchdowns against Syracuse were to five different receivers. "If they're going to put a corner over [Woods] and press him, plus a safety over the top, then other guys are going to be open," Barkley said after Saturday's win.
↵↵Barkley is the second Trojan to win Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week this season, as Woods won for his 17-catch performance against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Week 1. USC travels to Tempe for its first road game of the season on Saturday, facing the Arizona State Sun Devils.
↵For more news on Matt Barkley, Robert Woods, and USC football, be sure to read Conquest Chronicles.