A Stronger Bye-Product

Without an opponent or crowd to pose anything resembling a challenge, second-ranked USC turned inward for motivation on Saturday.

The Trojans forced themselves -- and the rest of the nation -- to pay attention during a 45-0 victory over struggling Arizona before 39,201 at energy-deficient Arizona Stadium.

USC, which will stay second behind Oklahoma in the bowl championship series standings, remained on track for a possible berth in the Sugar Bowl with its easiest victory of the season. The Trojans extended their winning streak to six games and improved to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference .

“This is exactly what we hoped to do,” Coach Pete Carroll said after his team recorded its second shutout of the season.

The last time USC came off a bye week, the Trojans played as if in a daze during the first half of a 34-31 triple-overtime defeat against California.

But after USC defeated Washington State on Nov. 1, Trojan coaches drove players harder in practice and preached nonstop about the importance of staying focused against an Arizona team that broke an eight-game losing streak against Washington last week.

The emphasis paid off.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Leinart completed 22 of 30 passes for 296 yards and threw four first-half touchdown passes as the Trojans took a 35-0 halftime lead en route to their second shutout this season (they blanked Auburn, 23-0, in the season opener).

“All the talk about the bye thing, we really wanted to make it go away,” Carroll said.

The Wildcats were hoping to stage an upset similar to the one they pulled off in 1992, when they beat top-ranked Washington, 16-3.

Instead, Arizona (2-9, 1-6) was shut out for the first time since Oct. 5, 1991, when Washington defeated the Wildcats, 54-0.

“I give them credit,” Arizona linebacker Joe Siofele said. “They showed why they are No. 2.”

Despite playing without three injured defensive starters -- linebackers Matt Grootegoed and Melvin Simmons and end Omar Nazel -- USC forced four turnovers and recorded its fourth shutout in almost three seasons under Carroll.

Arizona running back Mike Bell was coming off a 222-yard, three-touchdown performance in last week’s 27-22 victory over Washington. The Trojans, however, limited Bell to 14 yards in 14 carries, and Arizona to only 50 yards rushing and 195 yards of total offense.

Arizona ran 12 plays inside the USC 20-yard line during the final three minutes of the second quarter but could not score.

“We had dropped passes and guys open,” said Mike Hankwitz, who took over as Arizona’s interim coach after John Mackovic was fired in late September. “We can’t beat a team like USC just with willpower alone.”

With members of Arizona’s coaching search committee in attendance, USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow -- regarded as a leading candidate for the Arizona job -- showcased the many weapons in his playbook as the Trojans rolled up a season-high 587 yards.

Sophomore wide receiver Mike Williams caught 11 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns; senior flanker Keary Colbert had seven receptions for 76 yards.

USC amassed 220 yards rushing -- the sixth consecutive game the Trojans ran for at least 195 yards. Freshman tailback LenDale White led the way, gaining 90 yards in 15 carries and scoring on touchdown runs of one and 43 yards.

“There’s a ‘want to’ about this offense,” said Williams, who caught his 26th career touchdown pass to break the USC record of 25 set by Kevin Williams from 1977 to ’80. “Whatever Coach Chow calls, guys have confidence in each other that we can go out and try to do it. We’re just focused right now and want to make the most of our opportunities.”

White’s first touchdown, on the Trojans’ first possession, tied Charles White’s USC freshman record of 10 rushing touchdowns.

Leinart then connected with Williams for touchdown pass plays of 15, 22 and 26 yards to make the score 28-0 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. Tight end Gregg Guenther’s spectacular one-handed catch with 2:59 left in the half completed a 20-yard scoring play for a 35-0 lead.

“We wanted to come out and start fast and not be sloppy,” said Leinart, who has thrown a school-record 165 consecutive passes without an interception.

The Trojans added a 36-yard field goal by Ryan Killeen with 1:03 left in the third quarter and White capped the scoring with his 43-yard touchdown on the final play of the quarter.

As USC left the field, Trojan fans chanted “Beat the Bruins!”

Inside the locker room, Trojan players said they would savor the victory Saturday night before turning their attention to next week’s game against UCLA.

USC plays the 6-5 Bruins at the Coliseum, where it has won 13 consecutive games. The Trojans conclude the regular season Dec. 6 against Oregon State.

“We’re going to enjoy this one and then put it behind us,” offensive lineman Lenny Vandermade said. “It’s time to get ready for the Bruins.”

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KEYS TO THE GAME

Gary Klein’s keys to the game, and how the Trojans measured up:

Remain focused: The Trojans did not repeat the post-bye letdown that they experienced against California. USC cruised to a 35-0 halftime lead en route to the victory.

Establish the run: The Trojans rushed for 220 yards, the sixth consecutive game they gained at least 195.

Ring the Bell: The Trojans limited Arizona running back Mike Bell to 14 yards in 14 carries to take away the Wildcats’ only offensive weapon.

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*--* They Know the Score USC career touchdown receptions: Player Years TDs 1. Mike Williams 2002-03 26 2. Kevin Williams 1977-80 25 3. Johnnie Morton 1990-93 23 3. R. Jay Soward 1996-99 23 5. Hal Bedsole 1961-63 20

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