Trojans Equal a Record by Staying No. 1 in Poll

USC’s open date did not stop the top-ranked Trojans from tying a record Sunday.

USC was No. 1 for the 21st consecutive Associated Press poll, equaling the record set by Miami from 2001 to 2002.

The Trojans, however, received 56 of 64 first-place votes, five fewer than they earned last week after routing Hawaii in their opener. Second-ranked Texas, a 25-22 winner Saturday over Ohio State, added four first-place votes.

USC players finished off-week practices last Friday anticipating that they might put their 23-game winning streak and 21-game home winning streak on the line against an unbeaten Arkansas team.

But the Razorbacks, who had defeated Missouri State in their opener, lost to Vanderbilt, 28-24, in a Southeastern Conference game.

Arkansas rushed for 194 yards against Vanderbilt after rolling up 483 yards against Missouri State. The Razorbacks continue to lead the nation in rushing at 338.5 yards a game.

“They have all kinds of guys that can run it,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said by phone Sunday.

Tailback De’Arrius Howard gained 139 yards in 21 carries against Vanderbilt. He is averaging 129.5 yards a game and nearly eight yards a carry.

Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense did not provide USC’s defensive line with an opportunity to prove itself. Asked if he was concerned about his defensive line’s ability to stop the run, Carroll said: “I’m waiting to see how we play. We still have to play against some normal teams.”

USC nose tackle Sedrick Ellis said last week that he was looking forward to the more traditional challenge offered by the Razorbacks.

“They’re more hard-nosed, they come right at you more and they don’t try to disguise things much,” he said.

*

Senior tight end Dominique Byrd is eager to play again after missing the second half against Hawaii because of an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.

Carroll benched Byrd because Byrd threw the ball at a Hawaii player after a reception.

“I respected the decision and I just take it all on me -- I shouldn’t have lost my composure,” Byrd said. “I took it for what it was worth, a learning lesson.”

Since arriving at USC, Byrd has undergone several knee operations. He also missed spring practice because of academic issues and suffered a broken jaw when flanker Steve Smith slugged him in a dispute over a debt Smith owed for losses sustained playing video games.

Byrd said he was looking forward to playing the first of his final six home games.

“Time really has gone fast -- it just makes you realize and appreciate what you have,” he said. “All the setbacks? I wouldn’t take any of that back. I just want to go out with a bang.”

*

Quarterback Matt Leinart is first in the nation with a 224.1 passing efficiency rating. Smith also is a national leader, averaging 185 receiving yards a game.