Lane Kiffin Names Cody Kessler Starting Quarterback

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: The athletic department released a mini-presser of Kiffin explaining his decision to go with Kessler.

Well, a decision has been made. Cody Kessler has been tapped as the season's starting signal caller. The athletic department announced head coach Lane Kiffin's move minutes ago.

USC head coach Lane Kiffin has officially named Cody Kessler the starting quarterback.

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) September 9, 2013

This isn't entirely surprising. Kessler was given the first chance in each of the two games this season to show what he can do. While his numbers haven't impressed anyone by any measure (18-for-32, 136 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 rushing TD), the Bakersfield native performed better than fellow QB Max Wittek (8-for-18, 90 yards, 1 TD).

The game planning will now exclusively revolve around Kessler, as Kiffin said it would.

Calling the offense a "hot mess" would be knock on true "hot messes" everywhere. The team managed 193 yards, 163 due to the running and receiving styles of Tre Madden.

Cody Kessler has a QB rating of 89.8 in 2 games, compared to Max Wittek's 75.3.

— Rich Hammond (@RegisterUSC) September 9, 2013

I'll take "Announcements that shock no one" for 500 RT @RegisterUSC: USC has named Cody Kessler as its starting quarterback.

— Alicia de Artola (@PenguinOfTroy) September 9, 2013

Now about that playcalling… RT @USC_Athletics: USC head coach Lane Kiffin has officially named Cody Kessler the starting quarterback.

— Dan Greenspan (@DanGreenspan) September 9, 2013

Is Lane Kiffin more Sarah Palin or George W. Bush of coaches? I go back & forth.

— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) September 9, 2013

Don't care about Lane Kiffin explaining his QB decision when he still needs to explain timing, coverage, and mechanics to his QBs.

— The Solid Verbal (@SolidVerbal) September 9, 2013