USC's Browne 'surprised' by benching in favor of Darnold
Clay Helton announced earlier on Monday that USC was benching quarterback Max Browne in favor of Sam Darnold for Friday's game against Utah.
With Browne serving as a team captain this year, it was a move that certainly surprised some people, including the displaced pivot himself.
"When you're losing ball games it's not easy on anyone," Browne said to ESPN's Kyle Bonagura after practice Monday. "After I watched film I was better than I thought, and so it surprised me for sure, I'd be lying if I said otherwise."
The Trojans are off to a slow start in the 2016 season, sitting 1-2, losing to No. 1 Alabama and No. 7 Stanford by a combined 79-16 scoreline. Darnold, a redshirt freshman, came to USC as a highly-touted prospect who has seen limited time through three games. With the move to the youngster now made, Browne doesn't expect it to be reversed anytime soon.
"I know how these things work, usually once the young guy goes you know how it is. I'll be ready to go, I owe it to my teammates and the guys I've been with here for four years now. I will be ready at a moment's notice."
Browne, who has thrown for 474 yards and two touchdowns this season, has one year of eligibility remaining, and was asked about the prospect of transferring for his final collegiate season.
"You think about it right away, you think about all the possibilities at hand," he said. "Obviously you think about all outcomes, but it's been that way for my whole playing career."
The Trojans and Utes kickoff at 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday from Salt Lake City.