Aaron Corp: Failure to Launch

I am writing this article with Washington leading USC 13-10 midway through the fourth quarter.

Typically I would exhibit the restraint to wait at least until the game was over before I would attempt to consolidate my thoughts into a coherent argument as to why a particular player has failed woefully in their big moment.

However, with complete disgust overwhelming me, I have decided to let my stream of consciousness be my guide in analyzing Aaron Corp and his efforts to take over for the injured Matt Barkley and guide the Trojans against the Huskies.

A couple of months ago I wrote an article that Corp should be the starting quarterback for the Trojans and that Barkley should be redshirted.

Wrong.

Earlier this week, I also wrote a slide show stating why the Trojans would easily handle the Huskies and roll to victory.

Wrong again.

I had to answer many readers claims that Steve Sarkisian, the ex-assistant head coach of the Trojans, and Nick Holt, the ex-defensive coordinator, were so familiar with the Trojans that they would make this a tough game.

Many of these people who made these claims are probably feeling pretty smug right now.

Except that familiarity had little to with it.

The fact is that if USC loses this game it will be because Aaron Corp let the moment overwhelm him.

Time after time, Corp either threw into coverage or made bad throws.

I know it must be tough for a kid to be thrust into the starting lineup when he has had the experience of being demoted after an injury.

Yet, this is the Trojans and this is what is expected when you are playing a 21-point underdog.

Consider this a failing grade for Aaron Corp.

At the moment of his big chance for the Trojans, Corp gagged.

It pains me to write these words except that it must be stated that these are the facts.

Of course many other factors played into what now appears to be another unexplainable loss (the Huskies just kicked a field goal to give them a 16-13 lead with less than two minutes to go) for the Trojans who have once again squandered another season by losing to a team that had no business beating them.

Pete Carroll will have to explain why once again the Trojans have failed miserably to play to their capabilities throughout the season.

Too many turnovers, poor execution, and missed opportunities resulted in what has become an annual rite of passage for the Trojans who now become just an afterthought in the college football season.

In this game, all it took was a reasonable effort from Aaron Corp to lead the Trojans to victory and hold the fort until Matt Barkley returned form injury.

For Aaron Corp, in this game, it was too much to ask for and the kid didn't deliver.

If I am Mitch Mustain, USC's third-string quarterback, I would be pissed.

I have little doubt that Mustain would have done a better job than Corp because he couldn't have done much worse.

Game over, 16-13, Washington wins.

Let the second guessing begin.