Kicking off 2010

    It has been a very rough start for the 2010 season with new coach Lane Kiffin, and a very young secondary. This team has no identity yet, and is still searching for who it is. When the offense shines, the defense struggles, and vice-versa. Matt Barkley has improved big time so far throwing for 9TD's and 2INT's in 3 games so far this year, when he had a total of 15TD's and 14INT's all of last year. The offensive line struggled early with holding calls, and false starts, but has since found its rhythm it seems going into the Pac-10 opener at Washington State. The secondary has been an are of concern only returning Shareece Wright. TJ McDonald (Safety), Jawanza Starling (Safety), and Nickell Robey (True Freshman) have all been assigned the starting spots. Robey struggled the first game at Hawaii, which was his first ever college game, and it seemed as if they picked on him, however he has since molded nicely to the college game and seems to really be finding his place on this team. Standing only 5'8 Nickell with certainly be a force come later in the Pac-10 schedule. TJ McDonald has been the surprise. TJ has 1INT so far and has led the team in tackles a few times this year. He had a great performance against Virginia registering 14tackles and an INT. Jawanza Starling also has been stepping up. He looked rough the first few games, but his tackling has been getting much better, and even had an INT against Minnesota. The Washington State game will be key to work out any last kinks this team has before the real meat of the schedule hits.