USC Win a Sugar Plum

The trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the Sugar Bowl as college football’s national champion was scheduled to be on display on the Coliseum sidelines on Saturday.

Transportation problems caused by the Southland fires nixed those plans, but USC players did not seem to mind.

The third-ranked Trojans are confident they will see the prize up close in January if they continue to play as they did in a 43-16 rout of sixth-ranked Washington State before a homecoming crowd of 82,478.

USC’s defensive line dominated and the Trojans produced one of their trademark second-half surges to win their 13th consecutive home game and stay in the hunt for their first national title since 1978.

“We’re a Sugar Bowl contender, no doubt,” offensive lineman Winston Justice said. “I don’t think there is anyone that can stop us.”

USC improved to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference. The Trojans are tied for first place in the Pac-10 with UCLA and Washington State, but can clinch the conference title and a berth in the Rose Bowl by winning their remaining games against Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State.

USC, however, is eyeing the Sugar Bowl, which came into clearer focus after Miami’s loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Trojans are hoping to jump from fourth to second in the bowl championship series standings Monday.

“We should have a shot to be in the top two and play out the rest of the season with a chance to win the national championship,” fullback Brandon Hancock said.

Last season, Washington State spoiled USC’s hopes for a national title by defeating the Trojans in overtime at Pullman, Wash.

USC was determined not to suffer through a repeat, especially the defensive line, which was baited throughout the week by Washington State defensive end Isaac Brown.

Brown, from Upland, contended that Washington State’s front four, which ranked third in the nation against the run, was superior to the Trojans’.

USC’s defensive linemen responded with seven tackles for losses, including five sacks, and had two deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

“It was personal,” Trojan defensive end Kenechi Udeze said.

USC, which amassed more than 550 yards against Notre Dame and Washington, managed 436 against Washington State, which was penalized 15 times for 115 yards.

Freshman running back LenDale White rushed for 149 yards in 12 carries and scored a touchdown as the Trojans ran for 222 yards against a defense that was surrendering only 68.1 yards rushing a game.

Quarterback Matt Leinart completed 17 of 31 passes for 191 yards and three second-half touchdowns without an interception. The redshirt sophomore took more shots than he has all season, but maintained his poise and did not throw an interception for the fourth consecutive game.

“We knew coming in that they were going to blitz and get to me a couple times,” said Leinart, who has passed for 1,442 yards and 16 touchdowns in the last five games. “But you know things are going to happen when you get a defense like that, and we took advantage and had some big plays in the second half.”

USC led, 3-0, at the end of the first quarter on a 30-yard field goal by Ryan Killeen and increased the lead to 15-10 by halftime with a 24-yard touchdown run by Hershel Dennis, a safety and a 21-yard field goal.

Then came the second-half surge, in which USC outscored the Cougars, 28-6.

“That’s no fluke,” said USC Coach Pete Carroll, who improved his November record to 8-0. “That’s how we do it. It’s pretty typical for the way our games go.”

Freshman receiver Steve Smith started the onslaught when he caught a short pass from Leinart in the left flat, shook off cornerback Jason David and sprinted to the pylon in the left corner of the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown with 8 minutes 57 seconds left in the third quarter.

It was the first big play for Smith, who dazzled during training camp but has taken a back seat to sophomore Mike Williams, who caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown despite playing with a sprained ankle, and senior Keary Colbert, who had nine receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.

“I knew it was going to come eventually,” Smith said. “[Offensive coordinator Norm] Chow told me all this week to stay on it because Mike was a little hurt.”

On the possession after Smith’s touchdown, Washington State quarterback Matt Kegel fumbled the snap on second and 11 at the USC 18. Safety Jason Leach recovered for the Trojans, and four plays later, Leinart connected with Williams for a 13-yard touchdown that put the Trojans ahead, 29-10, with 3:58 left in the third quarter.

Washington State (7-2, 4-1) drew to within 13 points on a one-yard touchdown run by Jermaine Green with 12:25 to play, but defensive tackle Shaun Cody sacked Kegel and forced a fumble on the Cougars’ next possession with 10:36 remaining.

USC took over at the Washington State 38 and scored six plays later on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Leinart to Colbert with 7:22 left for a 36-16 lead.

Darnell Bing set up the Trojans’ final touchdown by intercepting a Kegel pass with about four minutes left.

Two plays later, White rambled 66 yards to the Cougar three. White’s three-yard touchdown run on the next play made the score 43-16 with 2:55 left.

“We shot ourselves in the foot with too many penalties early,” Washington State Coach Bill Doba said. “I don’t know what else to say. They’re pretty good.”