By Anthony Gimino
FOXSportsArizona.com
TUCSON -- There is no rest for Arizona's defense.
A week after facing high-scoring Stanford and quarterback Andrew Luck -- the potential No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft -- the Wildcats will try to stop high-scoring USC and star sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley.
"He's developed. You can tell he's a better player than he was a year ago," UA coach Mike Stoops said of Barkley.
"He can make all the throws. He's a much stronger player than he was a year ago. He moves around very well and is very accurate with the football. There is nothing he can't do on the football field."
Barkley has completed 190 of 297 passes for 2,348 yards, with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has thrown for 12 touchdowns in the past four games, and the Trojans have a more wide-open offense this season under head coach Lane Kiffin than last season, when Barkley was finding his way as a true freshman.
"The guy has outstanding command of the system for only being in it nine games under the new regime," said UA co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Greg Brown.
"He understands what is going on. He throws a great ball. Can run around, get out of trouble. And he's throwing to great receivers. They have it going on right now."
In all but one game this season, the Trojans (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-10) have scored at least 31 points. They had only 17 in a victory over Virginia.
The secondary is Arizona's chief defensive concern. The Wildcats typically have a bend-but-don't-break style of defense, but they have allowed 19 passing plays of at least 25 yards this season. That's the same number they yielded all of last season.
In an effort to spark the secondary, Stoops said it was possible true freshman cornerback Shaquille Richardson could start in place of junior Trevin Wade on Saturday. Stoops added there likely would be a three-way rotation at the position that includes starting corner Robert Golden.
FOLES FEELING FINE
Starting quarterback Nick Foles said after Wednesday's practice that everything looks good in regard to his right knee. He came back last week after missing two games because of a dislocated kneecap.
"I feel 100 percent. I feel good," he said. "Moving around a lot better. My knee feels great. Every day your body heals up, so I'm feeling really good."
RETIREMENT CEREMONY
Arizona will retire the jerseys (but not the jersey numbers) of several former standouts in a ceremony at halftime of Saturday night's game against USC.
They are: cornerback Antoine Cason, safety Chuck Cecil, linebacker Ricky Hunley, cornerback Darryll Lewis, running back Art Luppino, cornerback Chris McAlister, placekicker Steve McLaughlin and defensive tackle Rob Waldrop.
