SOUTH BEND, Ind. - What a difference a week makes.
After a so-so performance against Arizona last week in his first career start, quarterback Mark Sanchez had his breakout game against the Irish. His four touchdown passes and mistake-free play led the Trojans to a 38-0 blowout win over Notre Dame on Saturday.
Sanchez clearly brought a different energy level to the team and helped it gain important momentum heading into next week's game at Oregon.
But does this mean the Trojans have a quarterback controversy on their hands between Sanchez and injured starter John David Booty?
Not even USC coach Pete Carroll knows the answer right now.
"I don't know yet," Carroll said. "I'd tell you, but I don't know. I don't mean to make it controversial. John's not healthy yet."
Booty's broken finger is not completely healed, but he did say he could've played Saturday if he had to and would be ready to play next week.
But Carroll wasn't so sure, saying that broken bones usually take between three and six weeks to heal.
Either way, Booty said he feels he should be the starter when he gets healthy, which in his mind is this week.
"I'm gonna be ready to get back to starting this week," Booty said. "I think I have to prove I have to be accurate and show velocity, but other than that I don't think there's anything I need to prove."
Booty's argument is that starters don't generally lose their starting position because of an injury.
But Carroll said he doesn't follow that practice.
"I don't know what that rule is," Carroll said. "That's not my rule."
That basically means Carroll could open the position up to a competition between the two quarterbacks when Booty gets healthy.
Sanchez is on a hot streak right now, and he's not ready to give up his starting job after just two games.
"Now that I have it, I don't want to look back," Sanchez said. "I just want to keep rolling so we'll see how it works out. All I can do is keep playing. I can't influence them any more than what I've done today."
Sanchez certainly proved his point against the Irish. He led the Trojans to their biggest win over Notre Dame in the 79-year history of the storied rivalry.
He had an amazing game, but at least some of that can be attributed to playing against a terrible defense. That being said, he never got sacked and didn't throw any interceptions.
Throwing four touchdowns is impressive against any defense.
So should the Trojans go with Booty - the player with the most experience - or Sanchez, who is currently the hot hand?
It's a difficult question to answer.
I've been a supporter of Booty in the past, but Sanchez has done some things athletically that Booty can't do and now has the team going in the right direction.
Right now I'd stick with Sanchez, but the coaches know they have a difficult call to make.
"We're gonna make the best decision that we can possibly make with the information we have," Carroll said. "We're not gonna rush to please anybody. Obviously, the team isn't worried about it."
Carroll's right about the team's attitude - younger players like Joe McKnight and David Ausberry said they are confident in both quarterbacks and don't have any preference as long as they keep on winning.
But some of the older players, such as redshirt linebacker Thomas Williams think Booty will get the nod if he's healthy.
"I think John David will be better and be back and keep us in the hunt like he's been doing the past two years," Williams said.
At least for the Trojans, it's a win-win situation. They're choosing between two very able quarterbacks. Sure, one quarterback will be disappointed, but that's the way it has to be.
"It's a great situation for us," Carroll said. "It's like having two tailbacks or two stellar receivers."
But unlike tailbacks or receivers who can be rotated in and out, the Trojans have to make a choice.
And Sanchez should be that choice - for now.
- To comment on this story, visit www.dailytrojan.com or e-mail Rhett at rhettbollinger@gmail.com.
