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LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Mitch Mustain, who went 8-0 as a
freshman starter last season for Arkansas, has transferred to
Southern California. Mustain, who will have three years of eligibility remaining
after sitting out next season, is enrolled at USC for summer school
and attending classes, sports information director Tim Tessalone
confirmed Monday. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mustain was a prized recruit after
completing over 70 percent of his passes in 2005 for the undefeated
state championship team at Springdale, Ark. He enrolled at Arkansas
along with three of his high school teammates. In addition, Springdale coach Gus Malzahn was hired as the
Razorbacks' offensive coordinator. After Arkansas lost to USC 50-14 to begin last season, Mustain
was made the starter. The Razorbacks won their next eight games
with an offense that revolved around tailback Darren McFadden, the
Heisman Trophy runner-up. Casey Dick took over as the starting quarterback in the season's
10th game. Mustain and Dick both played in the Razorbacks' 17-14
loss to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Arkansas, the SEC West champion, finished the season 10-4 and
ranked 15th in the nation. Malzahn left afterward to join the
coaching staff at Tulsa, and Mustain asked for and received his
release to transfer. Mustain completed 69 of 132 passes for 894 yards and 10
touchdowns with nine interceptions for the Razorbacks. Wide receiver Damian Williams, also from Springdale, transferred
from Arkansas to USC as well. Williams will also have three years
of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season. Mustain is expected to compete for the starting quarterback
position in 2008 with Mark Sanchez, who completed 3-of-7 passes for
63 yards for USC as a freshman last fall. John David Booty, who
passed for 3,347 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Trojans last
season, will be a senior next year.
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