Oregon State puts on pressure

USC center Matt Spanos is preparing to hold off the onslaught.

Oregon State, which leads the nation in sacks per game, will take aim at quarterback John David Booty in his return to the starting lineup on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Defensive end Slade Norris has a team-best 6 1/2 sacks, former Rialto Eisenhower standout Victor Butler has six and Dorian Smith, who played at Lake Balboa Birmingham, has five for a Beavers defense that has recorded 34 sacks in eight games, including eight in a victory over Arizona last month.

“They have good mix, sort of like an NFL defense,” Spanos said Thursday. “They get good pressure up front with their interior linemen and their linebackers flow pretty well.”

Oregon State, which has won three games in a row, ranks 13th nationally in total defense, surrendering 299.9 yards a game. The Beavers are first in rushing defense, allowing only 54.5 yards a game.

“It’s just a good solid scheme of guys that know what they’re doing and play really hard,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said. “They really look like the same guys that have been playing there for years. They just change the names but the guys keep coming up and making their plays.”

Oregon State is seeking its first victory at the Coliseum since 1960.

Redshirt freshman Butch Lewis is scheduled to start again in place of All-American left tackle Sam Baker, though Baker said he would try to play despite a torn hamstring.

“He’ll do nothing tomorrow, be quiet all Saturday and we’ll see what happens,” Carroll said. “He’s trying to will himself back onto the field.”

Lewis played most of the game against Arizona after Baker was injured. Lewis started against Notre Dame and replaced Baker when he was re-injured during the Trojans’ loss last week at Oregon.

Guard Chilo Rachal missed a practice and sat out much of others this week because of flu symptoms, but Carroll said he would play against the Beavers.

Sophomore quarterback Mark Sanchez returns to a backup role against Oregon State, but with experience that should help him if called upon again this season and in the fight with redshirt transfer Mitch Mustain for the starting job in the spring.

In three starts, Sanchez completed 66 of 110 passes for 642 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions.

“Those three starts will be invaluable,” Carroll said.

USC expects that Oregon State running back Yvenson Bernard will play despite a sprained shoulder.

Bernard averages 101.8 yards and has scored 11 touchdowns.

“They won’t hold him back and he won’t hold back at all,” Carroll said.

If Bernard does not play, Oregon State Coach Mike Riley can turn to senior Clinton Polk, who gained 100 yards in 22 carries against USC in the Beavers’ 33-31 upset last season at Corvallis, Ore.

gary.klein@latimes.com