Penalties Nip USC but Bite Oregon

For much of Saturday evening at Autzen Stadium, top-ranked USC was its own worst enemy, committing 11 penalties for 86 yards.

In the first half alone, there were false starts and a pass interference call, an ineligible man downfield and -- reminiscent of the season opener at Hawaii -- two personal fouls.

But, ultimately, Oregon was most hampered by yellow flags.

It wasn’t the number -- seven for 68 yards -- so much as the timing. In the first quarter, a 16-yard Duck touchdown pass was called back for holding. In the fourth quarter, an illegal block nullified a short touchdown run.

“When you actually score and then it gets taken away from you, that hurt us,” Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti said. “We can’t allow that to happen.”

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Bellotti had no trouble reading between the lines of the final statistics.

Reggie Bush ran 20 times for 122 yards. LenDale White had 15 carries for 111 yards. Matt Leinart was sacked only once.

“That offensive line is as good as any I’ve ever seen,” Bellotti said. “We did not get a lot of pressure and stop the plays and the backs were able to get into the second level.”

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For the second week in a row, two USC plays came under review by the replay official in the press box.

In the first half, USC was awarded the ball after an Oregon punt appeared to hit William Buchanon’s leg before the ball was recovered by the Ducks. The replay official reversed the call and Oregon went on to kick a field goal.

The Trojans, however, benefited from the replay when Josh Pinkard was awarded an interception on a play in the fourth quarter. The Trojans went on to score their final touchdown.

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Defensive lineman LaJuan Ramsey has a mildly sprained ankle and flanker Steve Smith a bruised shin.

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Leinart is 28-1 as a USC starter, throwing a touchdown pass in all but one of those games.

Pete Carroll has won 45 of his 54 games as USC’s head coach.

Either Bush or White has scored at least once in USC’s last 27 games.