At USC, Matt Leinart was the star quarterback, and Matt Cassel rode the pine as his backup. In the NFL, their roles are now reversed, as Cassel started for the Patriots in their 47-7 win over Arizona, where Leinart is backing up Kurt Warner. Cassel finished 20-of-36 for 345 yards and three touchdowns, while Leinart, who entered the game in the third quarter, fumbled the ball away and then threw an interception.

The Boston Herald’s Ron Borges wonders how that happened:

According to the Cardinals media guide, Leinart took over USC’s offense his sophomore season after winning the starting job in a preseason battle. Against whom the book does not say but indeed it was young Cassel, who had already spent time behind Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and felt the job was his. More