Barkley staying for senior year

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA quarterback Matt Barkley announced yesterday that he will return for his senior season rather than enter the 2012 NFL draft. Barkley had been projected as a high selection in the first round.

"I am staying so I can finish what I started," the 6-2, 220-pound Barkley said.

This season, Barkley threw for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. The Trojans won seven of their final eight games, though they had to endure a second straight bowl-less season thanks to postseason sanctions that end next season.

Dayne Crist announced that he is transferring to Kansas, where the former Notre Dame quarterback will be reunited with coach Charlie Weis.

Officials at Kansas could not comment on his decision until he enrolls. He already has graduated from Notre Dame, which means he'll be eligible to play for the Jayhawks immediately.

* Darrell Asberry has been hired as the football coach at Texas Southern. Asberry is taking over a Tigers program in the Football Championship Subdivision after coaching at Division II Shaw for the past five seasons. He was 40-25 overall.

At Las Vegas, Doug Martin rushed for 151 yards and returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, giving Boise State (12-1) a lead 14 seconds into the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas on the way to a 56-24 win over Arizona State (6-7).