USC GAME REPORT

1st QUARTER

Washington St. 0

USC 0

THE SCORING: None.

TURNING POINT: After recovering a Washington State fumble at the Cougar 37, the Trojans drove to the Washington State 11. But, after catching a nine-yard pass from Carson Palmer, Kareem Kelly fumbled at the two. The ball rolled out of the end zone for a touchback, giving the Cougars the ball at the 20.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: Washington State held the ball more than seven minutes on its first drive, but a 13-yard sack of quarterback Matt Kegel by USC linebacker Mat Childers took the Cougars out of field-goal range.

STAT WATCH: Washington State outgained USC in total yardage (85-65) and first downs (7-3). Kegel passed for 54 yards and Dave Minnich led the Cougars in rushing with 30 yards in seven carries. Chad Pierson was the Trojans top runner with 29 yards in three carries. Carson Palmer threw for 37 yards.

2nd QUARTER

Washington St. 12

USC 0

THE SCORING: * Washington State 6, USC 0: * WS--Milton Wynn, 25-yard run on a reverse at 10:50. 35-yard drive, two plays. PAT--kick blocked.

* Washington State 12, USC 0: Jeremy Thielbahr recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown at 1:11. A two-point run attempt by Paul Mencke failed.

TURNING POINT: WSU cornerback Chris Martin, tracking Kelly on a sideline pattern, saw Palmer’s pass bounce out of Kelly’s hands and intercepted at the Trojan 47. He returned it 22 yards to the USC 25, but a penalty on the runback brought the ball back to the 35. No matter, Washington State still scored in two plays to go ahead. And another special-teams breakdown came back to haunt the Trojans once again. Cougar linebacker James Price came in untouched and blocked Mike MacGillivray’s punt, leading directly to Washington State’s second touchdown.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: That was the third punt USC has had blocked this season. Two were recovered for touchdowns, the other for a safety.

STAT WATCH: The Cougars maintained their total-yardage lead, 195-188, at halftime. Minnich had 44 yards in 10 carries to lead all rushers. Kegel was eight for 18 for 124 yards. Palmer was 12 of 26 for 145 yards and one interception.

3rd QUARTER

Washington St. 19

USC 7

THE SCORING: * Washington State 12, USC 7: Kelly, 34-yard touchdown pass from Mike Van Raaphorst at 11:01. 71-yard drive, nine plays. PAT--David Bell (kick).

* Washington State 19, USC 7: Marcus Williams, 88-yard touchdown pass from Kegel at 7:04. 88-yard drive, one play. PAT--Drew Dunning (kick).

TURNING POINT: After scoring its first touchdown USC appeared to have momentum.. The defense made Washington State go three and out, giving the ball back to the offense at the Cougar 44. The Trojans drove to the WSU 11, but Petros Papadakis was stopped cold by the Cougar defensive line on a fourth-and-one run. On the ensuing play, Kegel hit Wynn for the 88-yard touchdown pass that put Washington State back in control.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: On a second and one from Cougar 40, Van Raaphorst had Keary Colbert wide open at 25-yard line, but Colbert, looking around for defenders, dropped the ball. USC failed to get the first down on its next play and had to punt.

STAT WATCH: Minnich totals 61 yards in 13 carries and Kegel reaches his game total in passing yardage at 242. Van Raaphorst throws for 68 yards and a touchdown, completing four of eight passes. Sultan McCullough tops Trojan rushers with 45 yards total.

4th QUARTER

Washington St. 33

USC 27

THE SCORING: * Washington State 26, USC 7: D.D. Acholonu, 35-yard fumble return at 11:58. PAT--Dunning (kick).

* Washington State 26, USC 14: Zeke Moreno, 56-yard fumble return at 9:05. PAT--Bell (kick).

* Washington State 26, USC 20: Steve Stevenson, 30-yard pass from Van Raaphorst at 4:28. 95-yard drive, 14 plays. PAT--kick failed.

* Washington State 33, USC 20: Minnich, two-yard run at 1:42. 14-yard drive, three plays. PAT--Drew (kick).

* Washington State 33, USC 27: Keary Colbert, 21-yard pass from Van Raaphorst as time expired. 73-yard drive, six plays. PAT--Bell (kick).

TURNING POINT: Former Santa Margarita High standout Billy Newman’s 12-yard sack of Van Raaphorst forced the fumble that Acholonu picked and returned for a touchdown.

NOT IN THE SUMMARY: Moreno’s play was the third return of a fumble for a touchdown in his Trojan career and second this season. He had an 80-yard fumble return against Oregon State on Sept. 30.

STAT WATCH: USC loses the war but wins the stat battle, 470 yards to 372. Van Raaphorst threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the second half but was sacked five times. Kelly led the Trojan receivers with 114 yards in seven catches.