USC football countdown to kickoff—Matt Fink in focus
Position: Quarterback
Years played at USC: 2016-2020
Career highlights: After redshirting as a true freshman in 2016, Fink spent the next four years as a backup quarterback for the Trojans. He appeared in 16 games across those seasons, making one start. He finished his career in Cardinal and Gold with 632 passing yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions, to go along with two scores on the ground.
Fink's finest moment as a Trojan, however, came at the Coliseum in 2019 against No. 10 Utah. After starting quarterback Kedon Slovis was knocked out with an injury on the second play of the game, Fink—who had begun the season as the third-stringer, but was elevated to the No. 2 role following JT Daniels's injury three weeks prior—was forced into action. He responded with one of the gutsiest performances by a Trojan in recent memory, throwing for 351 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception and helping USC pull off a 30-23 upset. Following the season, he was awarded USC's Jack Oakie "Rise and Shine" Award for the performance.
After USC: Due to COVID-19 disrupting the 2020 season, Fink had the option to use a sixth year of eligibility in 2021. However, he decided not to do so, instead electing to pursue a career outside of football after earning his master's degree from USC.
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