Barkley continues to grow

COLUMBUS, Ohio — With USC looking down and out, freshman quarterback Matt Barkley pulled the Trojans up and led them to a big win Saturday.

The Newport Beach native, in just his second start, engineered what might be a memorable drive in USC’s rich history.

Barkley, who turned 19, Tuesday, led the No. 3-ranked Trojans on a 14-play, 86-yard drive that took up 6 minutes, 10 seconds and provided an 18-15 win at No. 8-ranked Ohio State.

Barkley completed 15 of his 31 passes for 195 yards with no touchdown passes and one interception. He three a two-point conversion pass to Joe McKnight after Stafon Johnson capped the game-winning touchdown drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

“We’re Trojans. That’s what we do,” Barkley told the Associated Press. “This is what we dreamed of, coming back like this.

“Doesn’t matter where we are in the score. We found a way. I love this.”

— From staff reports