After practice ended Tuesday, Matt Barkley spent about 15 minutes firing pass after pass to Damian Williams and other USC receivers. Never mind the wind chill (yes, there was a wind chill, I swear) — Barkley was determined to get the hang of some new routes he hadn’t worked on before.

Once the throwing session was complete, Barkley became the focal point for the shivering media throng. (Top quarterback competitor Aaron Corp had to leave early to go to class.) Here’s what Barkley had to say, including his vision for Sept. 12, 2009:

(on his film review of Saturday’s scrimmage) It was kind of sporadic at times. It was kind of backyard football. (So I’m) trying to tighten down on some fundamentals and footwork stuff to get the little things right. Overall, it really wasn’t too bad.

(on his comfort level with the offense) I’ve gotten really comfortable with it. I’m trying to get the protections down and my hot reads. Concept-wise and terminology-wise, I’ve progressed a lot since I first got here.

(on how much time he spends with the playbook) As much as I can. I don’t know hours … when I’m done with tutoring, looking at it before I go to bed, whenever I get a chance.

(on dispelling the notion that a freshman QB can’t start for Pete Carroll) That’s why I came here. … You dream about it. You picture yourself at The Horseshoe (Ohio State) in front of 100,000 people. It’s up to Coach, but he’s known for letting freshmen play (at other positions). I just know I have a shot and I’m in this thing.

(on whether he has to definitively outplay Corp to win the job) That might be a little spur to get me going, to play harder. I don’t know if that’s true or not. It might be just because of the fact I’m new; I don’t have any experience. I might have to do a little extra to give them confidence.

I’m just having fun knowing that I have the opportunity to play. The opportunity is there. In the end, whatever happens, I need to know that I did what I could to be where I’m at.

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: QB Q+A with Jeremy Bates
• NFL draft: The case for Mark Sanchez
• USC football poll: Who’s your QB pick now?
• USC football: QB decision might require overtime
• USC football: Disappointed Mustain gets fewer snaps
• USC football: C.J. Gable has MRI on hip
• USC football: The defense puts up a front
• USC basketball: Feeling lost? You aren’t alone
• USC football: QB Q+As
• USC basketball: DeRozan still 50-50 on agent, but …

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