USC quarterback John David Booty: "Mark Sanchez is going to have an awesome career at USC. I promise you,Mark Sanchez's going to do well at USC. Waiting a while to play is not necessarily a bad thing."

In 2005 Sanchez was well regarded upon his arrival at USC. He did not play during his freshman year and redshirted and his work as the quarterback of USC's scout team earned Sanchez the Service Team Offensive Player of the Year Award.

For the 2006 season, Sanchez competed for the starting position; however once junior John David Booty underwent back surgery after the first day of spring practice, Sanchez ran the first-team offense during the spring as Booty recuperated as coaches stated Booty would be regarded as the starting quarterback when he returned for fall training camp.

On April 26, 2006, Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after a 19 year old female USC student accused Sanchez of pressuring her to have sexual intercourse with him despite her protests. He was released from jail the following day, after posting $200,000 bail, but USC placed him on interim suspension that suspended him from the football team yet permitted him to take his semester finals, albeit separate from the general student body and under the supervision of campus security.

On June 3, 2006, the Los Angeles district attorney's office announced it would not press charges against Sanchez due to a "lack of sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt" as a result of medical exams proving inconclusive on the issue of force; thus making the case "essentially a 'one-on-one' allegation." The woman involved left the school. USC reinstated Sanchez but he remained subject to team-related discipline for underage drinking and using fake identification on the night he was arrested. This followed a series of other incidents on campus the previous few months, where Sanchez was detained by USC's Department of Public Safety for a variety of infractions, including breaking a fraternity house window, public intoxication and disruptive behavior.

As a redshirt freshman, Sanchez served as the back-up quarterback to Booty, seeing playing time in three games.

In fall practice before the 2007 season, Sanchez broke the thumb in his throwing hand, missing the first game against Idaho; he returned the following week and the redshirt sophomore again served as the primary backup to senior John David Booty. Mid-season, Sanchez was moved up to starting quarterback for the game against Arizona after Booty suffered a broken finger in his throwing hand during a 24–23 upset loss to Stanford.

On October 13, Sanchez led USC to a 20-13 victory, overcoming a shaky first half where he threw two key interceptions, allowing Arizona to tie the game going into halftime. During the second half, Sanchez completed 11 of 15 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown and had a key 10-yard run for a first down, ultimately finishing the game 19 for 31 passing with 130 yards and averaged 4.2 yards a play for one touchdown, two interceptions, and was sacked three times. With Booty still recovering, USC elected to start Sanchez for a second straight week, this time at Notre Dame; he made significant improvements, completing 21 of 38 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions.[8] On October 27, Sanchez started for the final time in place of the injured Booty, at an away game against Oregon. The game resulted in a 24-17 defeat for USC, with Sanchez having two passes intercepted by Oregon safety Matthew Harper in the second half. The first interception led to a fourth-quarter touchdown that gave Oregon a 14 point lead; the second interception ended USC's final chance for a comeback.

The following week, against Oregon State, Booty returned as USC's starting quarterback, with Sanchez resuming his position as Booty's backup

2008 Rose Bowl:
Jan 1, 2008 Illini vs USC
It is the first trip to Pasadena for the Illini (9-3) since 1983, and their first bowl game since the 2001 season. For the sixth-ranked Trojans (10-2), the Rose Bowl is getting to be like their own New Year's tradition. This is their third straight trip, fourth in the past five seasons and 32nd overall. For Rose Bowl Tickets check out RoseBowlHistory.org or you can purchase Rose Bowl Tickets from Barrys Tickets.

USC Trojans to watch:
Marc Tyler
Simply put, a rare running back prospect. Marc Tyler has the ideal blend of size, power, speed and exceptional receiving abilities. However, Marc Tyler could also move right over to defense in college and become a premier linebacker as well. Marc Tyler is so versatile and you would feel comfortable with him in any scheme or with the ball in his hands in any situation. Marc Tyler is the type of back that gets stronger with more carries, and he will wear defenses out in the 4th quarter.

Joe Mcknight
Joe McKnight is all over the place on defense and is a natural playmaker. Knows where the ball is going, keys on quarterbacks and shows great instincts and anticipation in pass coverage. Is a sound, reliable tackler but not a devastating hitter. Joe McKnight is as fast as he needs to be. Joe McKnight can accelerate on both sides of the ball and is a sparkplug at just about any spot he lines up at.