Barkley, Houston Named Pac-10 Football Players Of Week
October 18, 2010 | Football
Oct. 18, 2010
Quarterback Matt Barkley and placekicker Joe Houston have been named Pac-10 Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for their performances against California.
Barkley, a sophomore, completed 25-of-37 passes for 352 yards and a record-tying 5 touchdowns (16, 22, 9, 8, and 11 yards) and no interceptions in the 48-14 win over California. He threw all 5 scoring strikes in the first half (also a school game record) to lead USC to a 42-0 lead at halftime. He helped USC's offense roll up 602 total yards (391 passing) against a Golden Bears defense that led the Pac-10 in total (254.8) and pass (148.8) defense. It was the second time this season that Barkley threw five touchdowns in a game (also at Hawaii). He currently is eighth nationally in passing efficiency (167.3). His 20 touchdown passes are second most in the nation.
Houston, a senior, hit a pair of 27-yard field goals, all 6 of his PATs and even had a 26-yard pooch punt down to the Cal 8-yard line. A former walk-on now on scholarship, Houston is 28-of-28 on PATs in 2010 in his first year as USC's placekicker and now is 4-of-8 on field goals.
Cornerback Shaquille Richardson of Arizona was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week.
