USC 35, Ohio State 3

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga heads down the sideline after picking off a pass by Ohio State‘s Todd Boeckman in the second quarter Saturday. Maualuga would score his first touchdown as a Trojan with a 48-yard return.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC safety Taylor Mays leaps over teammate Brian Cushing (10) to try to congratulate linebacker Rey Maualuga after he returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter Saturday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC Coach Pete Carroll is all smiles after Rey Maualuga (58) came up with a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter against Ohio State.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC defensive players (from left) Clay Matthews, Fili Moala and Kyle Moore converge on a fumble by Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman during the first half Saturday.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez passed for 172 yards and four touchdowns Saturday against Ohio State. He completed 17 of 28 passes with one interception.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel, with star running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (background) unable to play against USC, shows his frustration after the Buckeyes had a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty in the first half Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC tailback Joe McKnight has the Ohio State defense turning circles during a big gain in the first half Saturday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC fullback Stanley Havili hauls in a pass from Mark Sanchez on a 47-yard scoring play during the first half Saturday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC defensive lineman Averell Spicer puts the clamps on Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor during the first half Saturday.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC linebacker Rey Maualuga delivers a hit that pops the helmet off Ohio State running back Dan Herron in the second quarter Saturday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC tight end Blake Ayles hauls in a one-yard touchdown catch over a stumbling Anderson Russell of Ohio State during the second quarter Saturday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC tight end Blake Ayles is congratulated by fullback Stanley Havili after catching a touchdown pass in the second quarter Saturday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC safety Kevin Ellison leaps high to make an interception along the sideline Saturday against Ohio State.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC’s Clay Matthews forces a fumble with a sack of Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman during the second quarter Saturday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman is sacked by USC’s Clay Matthews and fumbles in the second quarter Saturday. Kyle Moore would recover the ball.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The helmet of Ohio State running back Dan Herron goes flying after he collides with USC defensive players in the first quarter Saturday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC defensive back Kevin Thomas takes Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher off his feet with a tackle in the first quarter Saturday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC defenders Kyle Moore, left, Taylor Mays and Brian Cushing (10) bring down Ohio State receiver Brian Robiskie in the first half Saturday.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC defensive end Everson Griffen spells out the letter C in front of Ohio State’ Rory Nicol as fans chant “U-S-C” in the second half Saturday.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Trojans receiver Patrick Turner pulls down a Mark Sanchez pass against the defense of Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins in the second half Saturday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC receiver Damian Williams breaks into the clear on one of his two touchdowns receptions Saturday against Ohio State.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez and receiver Damian Williams celebrate after connecting on the first of two touchdown pass plays in the second half Saturday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)