Sack time for Trojans

Quarterback John David Booty showed rust in his return to the lineup and USC receivers did not help much with several drops.

To make matters worse, the Trojans were shut out in the second half.

But no one was complaining too much in the USC locker room Saturday night.

Not after the defense registered a season-high nine sacks and intercepted a pass to lead the 13th-ranked Trojans to a 24-3 victory over Oregon State in front of a homecoming crowd of 85,713 at the Coliseum.

“If we don’t turn the ball over and we play defense like this, it is going to be rough to lose any game,” Coach Pete Carroll said.

USC did lose one fumble, but on a day when fourth-ranked Oregon stayed on track for a possible Bowl Championship Series title game berth by defeating previously unbeaten and sixth-ranked Arizona State, USC rebounded from its loss last week to the Ducks and stayed in the race for the Rose Bowl.

The victory, not stylish offensively, improved USC’s record to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference with games remaining against California, Arizona State and UCLA.

“Winning is winning,” said freshman offensive tackle Butch Lewis, who started in place of injured All-American Sam Baker. “We’re off to a great November.”

USC improved to 21-0 under Carroll in November games by scoring 21 unanswered points in about 7 1/2 minutes of the second quarter to break a 3-3 tie.

Senior tailback Chauncey Washington scored on a one-yard run and Booty threw touchdown passes to Washington and Patrick Turner for a 24-3 halftime lead that was never threatened.

“All that really matters is getting the W at this point,” offensive lineman Jeff Byers said. “We clearly have a ton to work on. Of course you want it to be prettier.”

In the eyes of Carroll, USC’s defense could not have played more beautifully.

The unit, which gave up only 50 yards in the first half, surrendered 126 in the second but stifled the Beavers’ only real threat in the third quarter when Terrell Thomas knocked down a pass on third-and-two at the USC four-yard line and linebacker Brian Cushing followed by sacking quarterback Sean Canfield on fourth down.

Oregon State had entered the game ranked first nationally in sacks per game and in rushing defense.

But USC one-upped the Beavers by sacking Canfield and pressuring him into bad throws.

Freshman defensive end Everson Griffen had 3 1/2 sacks, safety Kevin Ellison added two, end Lawrence Jackson had 1 1/2 and nose tackle Sedrick Ellis and Cushing added one each.

After USC struggled to chase down Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon last week, Canfield was pretty much a sitting duck.

“We saw that on film he’s a Matt Leinart type -- he can run but he’s not going to hurt you on his feet, not like Dennis Dixon or guys like that,” Jackson said.

Booty, starting for the first time since suffering a broken right middle finger during an Oct. 6 loss to Stanford, was admittedly rusty.

The fifth-year senior completed 19 of 33 passes for 157 yards without an interception. Booty said his finger did not bother him, but he never really felt in rhythm.

“As far as the mental aspect, I felt sharp and was doing the right things,” Booty said. “On the physical side, some got away from me that I wish I could I have back. . . . We probably should have had five or seven balls completed that I threw a little high or they were dropped.”

Booty said his performance must improve for USC to continue its winning ways in November.

Carroll agreed.

“After being three weeks, four weeks off, I think it’s understandable,” Carroll said of Booty’s struggles. “But we don’t just brush it off. John’s got to play better and he’s got to make his throws and we need to catch the ball better.”

USC ran the ball more effectively than most against the Beavers, who were surrendering only 54.5 yards a game. Washington gained 60 yards in 12 carries and the Trojans finished with 100 yards.

But it was the defense that helped USC avenge last season’s 33-31 upset at Corvallis.

“It was not pretty,” said Oregon State Coach Mike Riley, whose team fell to 5-4 and 3-3 in Pac-10 play. “It was hard to do anything.”

Oregon State was in the game early in the second quarter when Alexis Serna kicked a 22-yard field goal to tie the score after Booty fumbled while being sacked by defensive lineman Victor Butler.

Booty answered by completing all five of his passes for 53 yards during a seven-play, 54-yard drive that Washington ended with his one-yard scoring run for a 10-3 lead with 9:35 left in the half.

The Trojans extended their lead to 14 points just over five minutes later when Washington caught a screen pass from Booty and rumbled 26 yards for a touchdown.

The Beavers gave the ball right back when Thomas intercepted Canfield’s pass on the first play of the ensuing drive and returned it 25 yards to the Oregon State 14.

Three plays later, wide receiver Turner beat cornerback Brandon Hughes for a 13-yard touchdown and a 24-3 lead with 2:07 left in the half.

USC finished with only 287 yards, its second-lowest output of the season, and converted only five of 16 third downs.

But the Trojans did not seem too concerned as they prepared for consecutive road games at Cal and Arizona State before the season finale against UCLA.

“The offense is going to do what they’re going to do,” Thomas said. “They’re going to come along, they’re going to have their streaks, they’re going to have their runs.

“So as a defense we just want to hold out and don’t give them nothing.”

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KEYS TO THE GAME

Gary Klein’s keys to the game and how USC measured up:

1. Getting picky. USC cornerback Terrell Thomas intercepted a pass by Oregon State quarterback Sean Canfield in the second quarter to set up what proved to be the Trojans’ final touchdown. Canfield completed 11 of 25 passes for 85 yards and was sacked nine times. John David Booty was 19 for 33 for 157 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He was sacked twice and lost one fumble.

2. Immovable forces. USC rushed for 100 yards against an Oregon State defense that entered the game ranked first nationally against the run. Chauncey Washington rushed for 60 yards in 12 carries and a touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass. Oregon State rushed for 91 yards. Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard (shoulder) did not play.

3. Just for kicks. USC’s David Buehler missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt but converted from 47 yards. Oregon State’s Alexis Serna also missed from 48 yards but made a 22-yard kick. USC punter Greg Woidneck averaged 36.4 yards for seven kicks.