History on Trojans’ side against Oregon State

It’s been a while since USC lost to Oregon State at the Coliseum.

More than half a century.

In 1960, the Trojans lost, 14-0. They have since won 22 consecutive home games against the Beavers.

So USC, which is coming off an open date, has an historical reason for confidence as it begins preparations Monday for Saturday night’s Pac-12 Conference game against Oregon State.

But there is no predicting the Trojans’ frame of mind at kickoff.

The last time USC played a game, on Sept. 13 at Boston College, the Trojans lost, 37-31.

The defeat dropped USC from No. 9 to No. 17 in the Associated Press media poll. The Trojans fell to No. 18 in the poll released Sunday.

Oregon State did not break into the top 25, but the Beavers received votes after improving to 3-0 with a 28-7 victory over San Diego State on Saturday night at Corvallis, Ore.

Quarterback Sean Mannion completed 24 of 31 passes for 275 yards, with an interception, and became Oregon State’s all-time passing yards leader.

“It’s something I’ll remember, for sure,’’ Mannion told reporters after the game.

“It’s not something that I lay awake at night — just wanting to break a record,” he said. “I want to win games.”

Mannion has passed for 11,339 yards, which moved him past Derek Anderson on Oregon State’s career list. Mannion is third on the Pac-12 career list behind USC’s Matt Barkley, who passed for 12,327 yards, and USC’s Carson Palmer, who passed for 11,818.

“It’s a great achievement,” Oregon State Coach Mike Riley told reporters. “There’s been a lot of great quarterbacking here.”

Mannion has completed 76 of 113 passes for 903 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions, this season.

But the Beavers defeated San Diego State with two rushing touchdowns from Terron Ward and two rushing touchdowns from Storm Woods.

The Beavers gained 96 yards in 36 rushing attempts.

Oregon State trailed 7-0 early in the first quarter but was ahead 14-7 at halftime on Ward’s touchdowns.

Upper echelon

USC’s Cody Kessler is among five Pac-12 quarterbacks ranked among the top 15 nationally in passing efficiency.

Kessler, who has completed 71 of 100 passes for 846 yards and eight touchdowns, with no interceptions, is ranked 13th.

Oregon’s Marcus Mariota is first, California’s Jared Goff seventh, Stanford’s Kevin Hogan eighth and Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly 14th.

Mannion is 48th.

Five Pac-12 quarterbacks, including Kessler and Mannion, also rank among the top 23 in passing yards per game.

Washington State’s Connor Halliday is second, averaging 475.3 passing yards, Arizona’s Anu Solomon fifth (363.5), Mannion 17th (301), Goff 18th (296.7) and Kessler 23rd (282).

Quick hits

The Trojans did not practice Friday, Saturday or Sunday. They resume workouts Monday.

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Junior receiver Nelson Agholor ranks 10th nationally with 7.7 receptions per game. Agholor has 23 receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns.

Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @latimesklein