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USC’s Mitch Mustain dealing with academic eligibility issues

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USC quarterback Mitch Mustain is attempting to resolve academic issues that could affect his eligibility for the coming season, Coach Pete Carroll confirmed Monday. Carroll would not specify the issues and said there was ‘no timeline’ or deadline for Mustain to resolve them. The Trojans report for training camp Aug. 7 and open their season Sept. 5 against San Jose State.

Asked if Mustain would be eligible if USC played tomorrow, Carroll said, ‘We don’t have a game tomorrow.’ Mustain could not be reached for comment.

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Mustain, a fourth-year junior who transferred to USC from Arkansas in 2007, finished spring practice third on the depth chart behind sophomore Aaron Corp and freshman Matt Barkley.

Mustain has said he would not consider transferring and that he’s close to graduating from USC. If Mustain were ineligible, senior Garrett Green would become the No. 3 quarterback.

Mustain left Arkansas after a tumultuous 2006 season during which he went 8-0 as a freshman starter. He had hoped to challenge Mark Sanchez to become the Trojans starter in 2008, but he spent most of the season as a back-up and was third on the depth chart behind Sanchez and Corp for the Rose Bowl last January.

Sanchez’s departure for the NFL created a spring practice competition to become his successor. Corp played nearly error free, and Barkley showed uncommon arm strength and poise for a first-year player, leaving Mustain third.

-- Gary Klein

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