Defense leads USC past Nebraska
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The University of Southern California Trojans have a new starting quarterback and six new running backs. But, the men of Troy, look like the same ol' USC with an even better defense than before.
The Trojans declared themselves a legitamite national title contender with a 28-10 victory over 19th-ranked Nebraska on Saturday night.
In his second career start, John David Booty was 25-for-36 for 257 yards and three touchdown passes for USC in a Matt Leinart type performance. Most importatly Booty has not yet thrown an interception this season.
All-America receiver Dwayne Jarrett, caught 11 passes for 136 yards, including two touchdowns. The 6-foot-5 Jarrett often found himself being covered by defensive backs who were four or more inches shorter. He beat 5-foot-9 cornerback Jarrett became USC's career touchdown receptions leader with 31, breaking Mike Williams ' record of 30.
Jarrett was unstoppable, but the Trojans weren't. Although they did not turn the ball over for the second straight week, the Trojans hurt themselves with penalties, seven for 46 yards.
The Cornhuskers loomed as the first test for the retooled Trojans, who lost Leinart, Reggie Bush, and LenDale White from a Trojan team that won back-to-back national titles and played for a third.
The Trojans passed the test and now begin their quest for a fifth consecutive Pac-10 title next Saturday at Arizona and a fifth straight BCS berth.
The Cornhuskers have endured a drought since their last national title in 1995. But two easy wins over Louisiana Tech and Nicholls State following last year's strong finish fired hopes in Lincoln.
Thousands of red-clad Huskers fans came west to witness Nebraska's revival, but they saw how dominant the Trojans act what they saw was another convincing example of USC's might.
The Trojans may have lost Leinart and company, but it still has plenty of talent, starting with Booty, a fourth-year junior from Louisiana who played like a veteran Saturday. If Booty felt any sort of pressure in his first home game, he didn't show it.
Booty twice connected with Jarrett on critical completions. With USC leading 7-3 in the second quarter and facing a third-and-21 on the Nebraska 25, Booty avoided pressure and found Jarrett for 22 yards and a first down.
The very next play, Booty hit wide receiver Steve Smith for a 3-yard touchdown, putting the Trojans ahead 14-3.
After Nebraska cut USC's lead to 21-10 early in the final quarter, USC faced critical second-and-20 at Nebraska's 26. With his composure, Booty hit Jarrett for 19 yards to set up tailback Chauncey Washington's 7-yard touchdown run to make it 28-10.
Source
- SI.com
Date
Sun 09/17/06, 7:48 am EST
