Max Browne started the first three games for USC, including Saturday’s Stanford debacle.
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Darnold has been named the Trojans’ starting quarterback for Friday’s matchup against Utah, Joey Kaufman of the Orange County Register reports. USC’s offense lurched in games against Alabama and Stanford, when USC scored a total of just 16 points. After Helton’s announcement to the media, Darnold said he wasn’t expecting a change.
“I hope Sam can bring that”, Helton said.
Darnold replaces redshirt junior Max Browne, another first-year starter who beat out Darnold in preseason practices.
Despite the change, Helton believes he made the correct call in letting Browne have the first crack at the starting job. And USC never seemed fully committed to letting Darnold wallow on the bench. Browne has completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 474 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions – but he’s averaged just 5.4 yards per attempt. He has accounted for two touchdowns with two interceptions and has been sacked six times. Darnold has 136 yards through the air, two touchdowns and a pick. He has not been sacked.
Darnold said he was “stoked to finally get that opportunity”. The USC graduate admitted thinking about his options, since he would be eligible to play his senior season at another FBS school as a graduate transfer next year.
“The way he competed and performed was more than honorable”.
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“I know how these things work”. “I owe it to my teammates and the guys I have been with for for years now”.
