Cold-Blooded Win

USC players leaped joyously into the air and a sellout crowd at Martin Stadium roared as hail began falling about 20 minutes before the start of the Trojans’ game against Washington State.

Top-ranked USC celebrated the conditions as a chilly change of pace. The Cougar faithful zealously embraced the weather as a potential equalizer for their undermanned team.

Unfortunately for Washington State, the freezing rain ceased just before kickoff and remnants of the storm cleared out midway through the first quarter.

By that time, a flurry of early Cougar mistakes helped send USC on its way to a 42-12 victory that extended the Trojans’ winning streak to 17 games.

“The way the guys responded was awesome because the crowd was trying to stick it in our face like we weren’t going to like that, and our guys just took it the opposite way,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said. “We had prepared them that no matter how bad it was, we were going to make the most of it and have fun with it.”

USC prepared all week for inclement weather. The Trojans practiced twice in rainy conditions, and many bundled up Saturday in cold-weather gear.

When hail hit their helmets during warmups, the Trojans could not contain their glee.

“Man, I got so excited -- we were ready for this,” offensive lineman Fred Matua said.

Running back LenDale White, a Denver native, said the Trojans dispelled the perception that they could not play in tough conditions.

“We wanted it to snow so we could show the world we can play in any weather there is,” said White, who rushed for two first-half touchdowns. “Anything you throw in front of us, we’re going to try and take the challenge and try to step up to it.”

USC improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference. It was the Trojans’ 28th win in 29 games since losing here in overtime in 2002.

Washington State fell to 3-5 and 1-4 with its fourth consecutive loss.

“They’re the No. 1 team in the nation -- they proved it today,” Washington State receiver Michael Bumpus said.

USC was ahead, 21-0, at the end of the first quarter on a 19-yard touchdown run by Reggie Bush, a one-yard touchdown run by White and a 57-yard punt return by Bush. The Trojans increased the lead to 35-0 by halftime, sending much of the crowd of 35,117 home to escape the 30-degree temperatures and developing blowout.

USC, coming off last week’s 38-0 victory over Washington, sacked Cougar quarterback Alex Brink five times and limited Washington State to minus-nine rushing yards.

“We were all over everything they were trying to do,” defensive lineman Shaun Cody said. “We were calling their plays out.”

USC quarterback Matt Leinart returned to form after struggling at times against Washington, an effort he’d described as one of the worst of his career because of poor decision making and footwork.

But Leinart recaptured his efficiency on Saturday. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“I was more accurate tonight, just making better decisions,” said Leinart, who combined with freshman receiver Dwayne Jarrett on touchdown pass plays of 42 and four yards. “The guys were open. I was just happy with the way we flowed as an offense.”

So was White, who overcame thigh and ankle soreness that prevented him from practicing during the week.

“I’m not really 100% for the rest of the year, but I felt good. I felt great,” said White, who gained 77 yards in 16 carries. “The first carry I got, I was moving around out there. It didn’t really hold me back.”

Washington State Coach Bill Doba had said that the Cougars needed “to relax and try some things we haven’t tried before” against the first No. 1-ranked team to visit Martin Stadium.

So it was no surprise when the Cougars attempted an onside kick on the opening kickoff. Unfortunately for them, kicker Loren Langley tapped the ball toward USC’s bench and it rolled out of bounds after traveling only two yards.

“We were just trying to get something started,” linebacker Pat Bennett said. “It backfired and put us in a hole.”

USC needed only five plays to move 37 yards, and went ahead, 7-0, on Bush’s 19-yard run around right end less than two minutes into the game.

USC’s Ryan Killeen booted the the ensuing kickoff into the air through light rain and into a strong wind. The ball appeared to slow because of the conditions and dropped at the 25-yard line, where Desmond Reed fell on it to give USC possession at the 21.

Pass-interference and personal-foul penalties against the Cougars on the same play moved the ball to the four. White rambled for three yards on first down, and scored on the next play for a 14-0 lead with 12:22 remaining in the first quarter.

“It just sent a signal that, you know, we haven’t even started playing yet and it was 14-0,” Carroll said.

Five minutes later, Bush fielded a punt at the USC 43-yard line, ran toward the right sideline, then cut back to his left and raced to the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

“It was an overall effort by the whole punt-return team,” said Bush, who finished with 143 all-purpose yards. “Great blocks were provided and, after the block, it’s just about me going and making a play.”

A week after ending Washington’s streak of 271 games without being shut out, the Trojan defense was hoping to end Washington State’s similar streak at 234.

The Cougars avoided the shutout when Brink connected with Bumpus on a 24-yard touchdown pass three plays after USC reserve quarterback Matt Cassel and center Ryan Kalil botched a snap.

Bennett intercepted a pass by Cassel on the first play of the ensuing possession and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to make the score 42-12.

“That one little spurt in there where we had trouble with the exchanges and the ball got tipped and all that -- that was a mess,” Carroll said. “But other than that, it was a great night of football for us.”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

KEYS TO THE GAME

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

Cold confidence. USC handled the cold climate and outgained the Cougars, 421-156. The Trojans lost two fumbles and gave up an interception return for a touchdown but had the game in hand from the start.

2. Protect Leinart. USC’s quarterback was sacked only once. He gave way to Matt Cassel midway through the third quarter. But Cassel struggled, and because Brandon Hance had received stitches Friday, Leinart returned.

Brinksmanship: USC sacked Washington State quarterback Alex Brink five times. Brink finished 17 of 40 for 165 yards with an interception.