On a perfectly scripted first drive, USC scored seven effortlessly. The drive
took nine minutes and fifty-four seconds and consisted of 11 pass attempts and
two running plays. The drive finished with a John David Booty pass to Fred Davis
in the endzone.
This sent a statement to Washington State, one they may not have understood. The
Cougars probably expected a ground attack similar to the Trojans' previous game
in Lincoln, but instead the Trojans came out firing a flawless air attack.
The Cougars quickly rebounded, on a five minute and six second drive and put up
seven points of their own. Reminiscent of the Nebraska game, the first play on
defense for the Trojans resulted in a Lawrence Jackson sack for an eight yard
loss. Also reminiscent of the previous game, the Trojans struggled to defend the
Cougar attack and gave up a touchdown.
Rain dampened the Coliseum and the teams seem to slow down, but there was an
omen ahead. As the rain fell upon the mostly full stadium, the sun broke through
from the west. A bright rainbow appeared over the east end of the stadium
against the Downtown Los Angeles skyline.
USC promptly scored on a 15 play, 84-yard drive to end the scoring of the first
quarter. Despite the 14-7 score, the Trojans appeared sluggish at the end of the
quarter.
USC picked up the pieces and began to score at will. By half-time, the teams
went to the locker room, up 27-7. How eerily similar this was to the Nebraska
game. USC started to pull away, and with it, any hopes for the Cougar faithful.
Unlike the Nebraska game, however, USC started the second half kicking-off to
the Cougars. Seems the captains learned when you lose the coin toss and the
opponent defers, it is best to take the ball to start the game. The Cougars
launched an unsuccessful drive and punted the ball to the Trojans.
This Trojan drive featured Chauncey Washington, which ended with a 7 yard
rushing touchdown. On this series, Washington carried the ball three times for
38-yards.
From the first quarter USC scored 27 unanswered points until WSU scored
again, the Trojans lead was 34-14 at this point of the game. Coincidently, that
was the last time the Cougars would score.
The Trojans scored twice more to up the final tally to 47-14.
Game Balls
John David Booty, 25 of 38, 279-yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception
Fred Davis, 9 receptions, 124 yards, 2 touchdowns
Chauncey Washington, 11 carries, 85-yards, 1 touchdown
Kyle Moore, 1 interception, 2 tackles (1 assisted)
Keith Rivers, 14 tackles (5 assisted)
Allen Bradford, 3 Special Teams tackles, 1 reception - touchdown