USC quarterback Matt Barkley suffered a shoulder injury on Saturday and will not play next weekend against Notre Dame in the team's final regular season game, Trojans coach Lane Kiffin said Sunday night.
Barkley suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder in the fourth quarter of the team's 38-28 loss against UCLA. He was sacked with over two minutes left in the game and was able to walk off the field on his own after being examined by the team's training staff.
Following the game, Beto Duran, a reporter for ESPN Radio in Los Angeles, tweeted a picture of Barkley leaving the stadium with his right arm in a sling. He did not comment on the injury after the game, citing the policy of the team.
Kiffin and the Trojans have been historically quiet about injuries, including right after Barkley left the game on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, "USC normally does not disclose or discuss injuries unless the players are confirmed to be out for the season."
"I feel bad for him and his family," Kiffin said. "This is obviously not how you want it to be."
Kiffin said that Max Wittek, a redshirt freshman who came in after Barkley's injury, would start on Saturday against Notre Dame. He previously played at the same high school as Barkley and has competed just eight passes in his career, including three on Saturday for 40 yards against UCLA.
Wittek has played in three different games this season, throwing for 95 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
Barkley previously missed the 2010 game against Notre Dame after suffering a sprained ankle the previous week. In that game, the last one the Irish won, quarterback Mitch Mustain tried to rally the Trojans for a win, but fell short at home at the L.A. Coliseum.
The injury to Barkley is another black mark for USC this year.
The team had high expectations entering the season because Barkley decided he would return to USC for his senior season after the school finally completed its bowl-probation last year. He was expected to be a Heisman candidate and USC was expected to be in the national title hunt. Neither thing has turned out as expected.
"Nothing can do now," Barkley said, according to Duran's tweets. "Can't pout. Isn't how expected it to turn out."
After being voted No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll, the Trojans have gone just 7-4, including disappointing losses to then-No. 21 Stanford and unranked Arizona. The team has been unimpressive on defense, allowing nearly 25 points per game and more yards than half of the Pac-12.
This season Barkley has still put up great numbers despite the losses, throwing for 3,273 yards and 36 touchdowns, but hasn't factored into the Heisman race. The disappointing number for Barkley and the Trojans are his 15 interceptions, which is the most in his four-year career.
Barkley's best game this year came against Colorado on Oct. 20 when he threw for nearly 300 yards and six touchdowns.
The UCLA game will mark the end of Barkley's collegiate career since he will not play against Notre Dame. The senior quarterback has been impressive during his years at USC, ranking in the top five in the nation every year in passing efficiency and touchdowns. He also ranks first all-time in Pac-12 career passing yards.
Barkley holds many school records, including single game completion records (34 in 2011) and single game passing records (468).
While he had a downs season compared to USC teams of the past, Barkley is still expected to be a top pick in the NFL draft next year. Along with quarterbacks Aaron Murray and Geno Smith, Barkley is one of the highest rated players that are expected to enter the draft.
In his career, Barkley has thrown for 12,327 yards and 116 touchdowns with only 48 interceptions.
