Receiver Turner Steps Up in Big Way

With senior Chris McFoy sidelined because of a shoulder injury, All-American Dwayne Jarrett nursing a sore shoulder throughout the game, and Steve Smith hobbled by an ankle sprain for much of the second half, receiver Patrick Turner stepped to the forefront in USC’s 26-20 victory over Washington on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Turner, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound sophomore, caught a career-best 12 passes for 116 yards and scored on a 17-yard pass from John David Booty. He entered the game with nine receptions this season.

Jarrett, who did not play last week against Washington State, played a few series. Booty threw to him twice in the end zone, but Jarrett was unable to catch the ball in heavy coverage.

“It was a fantastic effort by him to play today and he gets a lot of credit for just toughing it out,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “A lot of guys would not have played, and he gave us his best shot.”

Smith caught a 20-yard touchdown pass on a fake field-goal and finished with five receptions for 96 yards, including a 51-yard play in the third quarter.

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USC scored on the fake field goal on its first possession after a 17-play drive stalled at the Huskies’ 20.

“That was one we’ve been talking about for a while, thinking about and had a thought about last year and didn’t do it and kind of dialed it up,” Carroll said.

Turner had gained 10 yards on a pass play to set up a fourth-and-nine when the field-goal unit ran onto the field and the offense ran toward the sideline. Smith, however, remained on the field near the Trojans’ bench.

“I said, ‘Good luck Stevie, we got ‘em,’ ” Carroll said.

The ball was snapped to holder Michael McDonald, who put the ball on the ground then picked it up as kicker Mario Danelo swung his leg. McDonald stood up, turned and passed the ball to Smith, who ran into the end zone.

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Junior Chauncey Washington rushed for a season-high 81 yards in 17 carries and had a 61-yard gain called back because of an illegal block.

Carroll said Washington was “officially back at full speed,” but Washington said, “I’m still not 100%. I asked the trainers and they said probably not till the very end.”

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Saturday marked the return of Sedrick Ellis, a mainstay on the USC defensive line, who had missed three games after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

The junior played for much of the game against Washington and finished with five tackles.

“It was great to be back,” he said. “An awesome feeling.”

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Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback entered the game ranked in the top 20 nationally in total offense. While USC held him slightly under his 251-yard average, the defense hardly shut him down.

“He was a really big factor for them,” USC linebacker Keith Rivers said. “We couldn’t play their receivers the way we really wanted because we always have to keep an eye that he may run.”

Stanback rushed for 33 yards -- including a key first down in the final minute -- and passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns.

The numbers were of little comfort, given the final score. He called it the most disappointing loss of his career.

“This was a pretty big game,” he said. “We really had an opportunity to beat them.”

gary.klein@latimes.com

david.wharton@latimes.com