Orange County Register

For a change Wednesday, quarterbacks Jeremy Bates spent more time talking about backups Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp than starter Matt Barkley. That’s because of the depth-chart change that took place this week, with Mustain bumping one-time starter Corp to third string.

Mustain on Tuesday alluded to some mechanical improvements he had made, and Bates has noticed the difference.

“He’s throwing a lot better than in two-a-days and spring ball,” Bates said. “He’s definitely got his weight balanced. He’s really driving the ball and bringing his backside hip through the ball.”

Meanwhile, Bates seemed certain that Corp would bounce back after losing his job because of a broken leg and failing to lead USC to victory at Washington. But Bates stressed that Corp has to be mentally tough to do it.

“The game of football’s like life. Things are going to change every day, every week,” Bates said. “He’s going to battle. I know he is. He’s a competitor. He’ll hang in there.

“Nothing’s in concrete in the game of football. You’ve got to keep competing, you’ve got to keep improving. He’ll be back.”

More from the USC blog:

• USC football: Spicer, Tupou availability still uncertain
• USC football: Matt Barkley is getting it
• USC football: Stafon Johnson fights on
• USC football: Doctors call Johnson’s progress ‘remarkable’
• USC football: A message from Stafon Johnson
• USC football: Mitch Mustain and his mechanics
• USC football: Slip and slide? That’s Carroll being Carroll
• USC football: The rise and fall of Aaron Corp
• USC football: Carroll isn’t sorry about the weather
• USC football: Armstead has the inside track

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