USC quarterback Matt Barkley threw an interception duringTuesday's practice, which wasn't unusual, but later in the workouthe threw a pass away and screamed at a walk-on wide receiver forrunning the wrong route.
That was a new side to the junior quarterback, who increasinglyfinds it difficult to mask his frustration during spring drills ashe works with a mix of offensive starters, reserves, and walk-onswho never will play.
"Sometimes (it is frustrating) when things aren't going right andpeople should know what they are doing, because they have been doingit right," Barkley said. "We've gone over the same plays all springand someone doesn't know what they're doing.
"I'm at the point where I know what's going on and know my reads,and then someone else messes up and it throws me off, but it'simportant to just keep your cool and realize that these are youngguys, and you have to kind of coach them.
"I was probably the same way when I was younger."
Coach Lane Kiffin said he hoped Barkley doesn't make moremistakes in games when he becomes impatient with his teammates.
"You want him to be aggressive, but you want him to be veryintelligent in how he's being aggressive," Kiffin said Tuesday."What happens is, when guys get frustrated, whether it's because ofthem playing poorly, the players around them playing poorly or thescore at that time, guys tend to make more errors. That's what youhave to fight through.
"He's had an issue with that since he's been here. It's somethingwe think we improved on last year, and hopefully we'll improve on itin Year 3."
Regarding his interception, Barkley said, "There's problems withthe offensive line and the defensive line is pushing (through)."
Ambles late
Wide receiver Markeith Ambles was late to a 6 a.m. team meetingand forced to run during practice. It was the second time in twoweeks he was late to a meeting.
"My alarm didn't go off," he said. "I just had to run."
Quarterback depth chart
Freshman Cody Kessler took more snaps during practice andappeared to be the No. 3 quarterback behind Barkley and JesseScroggins, but Kiffin said he was just trying to balance snapsbetween Kessler and freshman Max Wittek.
Injury report
Tailbacks Dillon Baxter (ankle) and Marc Tyler (concussion)remained out. Baxter, who became an Internet sensation last springwith his game-breaking runs, likely will finish this spring withouthighlight play. Cornerback Tony Burnett also missed practice with asprained ankle.
Ten scholarship players will miss the entire spring because ofinjuries.
Regarding recruiting
Recent published reports said Oregon and Washington paid as muchas $25,000 to recruiting services, which is legal under NCAA rules.Kiffin said he never paid that much to a recruiting service.
No TV
USC's official spring game Saturday at the Coliseum will not betelevised like those of some schools, but will be on the radio (710-AM).
"We had 51,000 at Tennessee for our first spring game, and therewere 40,000 there two hours before for the walk," Kiffin said. "Ifyou look at the games being telecast on the bigger networks, I thinkyou're going to find basically the Big 12 or the SEC."
scott.wolf@dailynews.com
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