COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : USC : Wachholtz Grew in Loss to Huskies

Quarterback Kyle Wachholtz, a second-year freshman from Norco High who had not played since enrolling at USC last fall, completed three of six passes for 31 yards during Saturday’s 17-10 loss to Washington and led a late rally that fell short when his pass was intercepted in the end zone by Husky cornerback Walter Bailey with 1:32 to play.

“It was a good situation for him to get into because it was pressure, it was against a great team and (it was in front of) a hostile crowd,” Coach Larry Smith said. “Poise-wise, he showed us a lot. He’s got a lot to learn, but I think he held together pretty well. He grew. And that just makes us stronger at quarterback.”

Tailback Estrus Crayton, who carried 25 times for 105 yards on Saturday, was the second runner to gain more than 100 yards against Washington this season, joining Mario Bates of Arizona State. Last season, only Derek Brown of Nebraska ran for more than 100 yards against the Huskies. . . . This is the third consecutive season USC has lost its Pacific 10 Conference opener. Before 1990, the Trojans had lost their conference opener only twice since 1960.