Game Report

FIRST QUARTER

RUSHING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Peterson...8 for 18 yards

USC

White...2 for 16 yards, 1 TD

RECEIVING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Wilson...2 for 25 yards, 1 TD

USC

Byrd...2 for 50 yards, 1 TD

PASSING LEADERS

Oklahoma

White...5 of 7, 81 yards, 1 TD

USC

Leinart...7 of 10, 116 yards, 1 TD

* Big play: Oklahoma’s Mark Bradley made a costly mistake when he tried to pick up a bouncing punt and fumbled. USC recovered at the Sooners’ six-yard line and scored one play later on a LenDale White run to give the Trojans a 14-7 lead.

* Key statistic: Barely over two yards a carry for Oklahoma freshman running back Adrian Peterson, who carried the Sooners’ ground attack throughout the regular season.

* Also: Led by middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, USC’s swarming defense controlled the line of scrimmage against the Sooners’ experienced front.

* Analysis: Oklahoma seemed to have USC in trouble until Matt Leinart completed two big passes to tight end Dominique Byrd, who made a one-hand catch for a 33-yard touchdown to tie the score, 7-7.

**

SECOND QUARTER

RUSHING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Peterson...7 for 18 yards

USC

Bush...1 for 45 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Clayton...3 for 12 yards

USC

Jarrett...3 for 95 yards, 1 TD

PASSING LEADERS

Oklahoma

White...6 of 11, 81 yards, 2 INT

USC

Leinart...6 of 13, 127 yards, 3 TDs

* Big play: USC freshman Dwayne Jarrett showed his speed when he broke free down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown pass play that helped break open a tight game for the Trojans, who took a 21-7 lead.

* Key statistic: Four, the number of touchdown passes thrown in the first half by Leinart, who validated his Heisman Trophy season.

* Also: Oklahoma’s inability to run the ball with Peterson forced White into passing on nearly every down and that’s not his game, especially against USC’s pressure defense.

* Analysis: From the touchdown catches made by Steve Smith, Byrd and Jarrett to interceptions made by Eric Wright and Jason Leach, USC made plays and Oklahoma did not.

**

THIRD QUARTER

RUSHING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Peterson...8 for 39 yards

USC

Bush...2 for 34 yards

RECEIVING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Jones...2 for 30 yards

USC

Smith...2 for 54 yards, 1 TD

PASSING LEADERS

Oklahoma

White...4 for 10, 30 yards

USC

Leinart...5 for 12, 89 yards, 1 TD

* Big play: Leinart continued to exploit Oklahoma’s secondary when he completed a 49-yard pass to Smith, who beat two Sooner defensive backs on a corner pattern, and then capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Smith.

* Key statistic: 455, the total yards USC amassed against Oklahoma’s defense in only three quarters.

* Also: The Trojans took away Oklahoma’s passing game by playing pressure man defense on Sooner wide receivers. That did not happen often in the Big 12 Conference.

* Analysis: USC’s offensive line, led by John Drake and Fred Matua, dominated Oklahoma’s front. The Trojans were able to run and throw whenever they wanted because they owned the line of scrimmage.

**

FOURTH QUARTER

RUSHING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Wolfe...7 for 40 yards

USC

White ...10 for 56 yards, 1 TD

RECEIVING LEADERS

Oklahoma

Wilson...4 for 25 yards, 1 TD

USC

None...0 passes attempted

PASSING LEADERS

Oklahoma

White ...7 for 8, 52 yards, 1 TD

USC

None...0 passes attempted

* Big play: USC senior linebacker Matt Grootegoed ended any hopes Oklahoma had for a comeback when he intercepted White early in the quarter to end a Sooner drive.

* Key statistic: 25 of 26, victories for USC since Leinart took over as quarterback, including a perfect 13-0 season.

* Also: The Trojans’ running back combination of White and Bush was too much for the Sooners, who wore down in the second half.

* Analysis: USC proved to be mentally tougher than Oklahoma, which seemed to fall apart after Bradley’s fumbled punt in the first quarter.

-- Lonnie White