Trojans scramble title race in Pac-10
TEMPE, Ariz. — Despite two losses, USC believes it is one of the nation’s best football teams.
The Trojans looked the part Thursday night.
John David Booty threw for 375 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown passes as the 11th-ranked Trojans beat No. 7 Arizona State 44-24, reviving their bid for an unprecedented sixth straight Pac-10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl.
“This was a really, really sweet win,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “I think it’s a great statement for our guys. They know now what we’re capable of doing.”
The Rose Bowl seemed an unlikely destination after then-No. 2 USC, a 41-point favorite, lost 24-23 to Stanford on Oct. 6. But the talented Trojans are rolling again.
“People kind of counted us out, especially with the early loss to Stanford,” said Booty, who also ran for a 1-yard score. “We know what we’re all about.”
USC (9-2 overall, 6-2 Pac-10) will win the Pac-10 if it beats UCLA on Dec. 1 and Oregon loses to either UCLA or Oregon State.
The Trojans needed no help in dismantling the Sun Devils (9-2, 6-2).
USC’s defense overwhelmed Arizona State, sacking Rudy Carpenter six times and briefly knocking him out of the game with a cut lip. Defensive end Lawrence Jackson had four sacks, most in a game by a Trojan since 1989.
“They came to hit tonight,” Carpenter said. “I think tonight, we were overmatched.”
USC broke open a 17-all game with 10 points in the final five minutes of the first half, then pulled away from the Sun Devils with 17 more points in the third quarter.
Booty hit Joe McKnight for a 7-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter, then connected with Fred Davis for a 34-yard score on fourth-and-two to give USC a 44-17 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Booty had missed three games with a broken finger and played inconsistently at times. But he was sharp and confident from the start Thursday, completing his first seven passes.
“The individual showing from John David was just perfectly timed,” Carroll said. “He’s back now. He’s ready to go. He comes up with a huge night.”
USC limited Arizona State to 16 yards on 35 rushes. It was USC’s eighth consecutive win over the Sun Devils.
“We didn’t play good,” said Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson, a former Washington State and Seahawks coach. “It’s sad. We just did not play like I thought we would in a game like this.
“No excuses. We just didn’t do what we needed to do.”