COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT WEEKDAY UPDATE : USC : Trojans Run Up Rankings

USC ranked only 96th among the nation’s 106 Division I-A schools in rushing offense last week, but moved up to 67th this week after running for 331 yards in the victory over Ohio State. The Trojans more than doubled the rushing output of their first three games.

Ohio State, which ranked third in rushing defense after giving up only 63 yards a game in victories over Texas Tech and Boston College, fell to 55th.

Quarterback Todd Marinovich, who failed to complete more than 50% of his passes only once in 12 games last season, when he set a school record by completing 62.2%, has missed the .500 mark in two consecutive games.

Against Washington two weeks ago, Marinovich completed seven of 16 passes for 80 yards with two interceptions, his worst game as a Trojan. Against Ohio State, he completed 11 of 23 passes for 119 yards, again with two interceptions.

His passing efficiency rating, which was 157.5, fourth in the nation two weeks ago, has dropped to 125.4, seventh in the Pacific 10 Conference and his lowest since September of 1989, when it was 103.1 after his first two starts.

Marinovich, who did not throw an interception in 99 attempts between the first quarter of the Rose Bowl game last January and the second quarter against Washington, has thrown four in his last 36 attempts.