Trojans at No. 1 in Harris Poll

USC’s slow start against Oregon did not hinder the Trojans on the field or in the polls.

On Sunday, unbeaten USC was ranked No. 1 in the first Harris Interactive poll, which has a prominent role in the bowl championship series standings formula.

USC received 110 of 113 first-place votes from a Harris poll panel of former coaches, players, administrators and some media members. Texas, which did not play last week, received three first-place votes.

USC fell behind Oregon by 13 points in the second quarter of a Pacific 10 Conference opener at Eugene, Ore., but came back to rout the previously unbeaten Ducks, 45-13. The victory improved the Trojans’ record to 3-0 and extended their winning streak to 25 games.

The victory also kept the Trojans atop the Associated Press poll for the 23rd consecutive poll. USC picked up two first-place votes, receiving 59 of a possible 65. The Harris poll replaced the AP poll in the BCS standings formula.

The Times does not vote in either poll.

“People respected that matchup and the fact that it was on the road,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday. “Oregon is a good football team. That game was in a very difficult setting.”

USC is on the road again Saturday against No. 14 Arizona State.

The Sun Devils (3-1) also were in Oregon last weekend, beating Oregon State, 42-24, in a Pac-10 opener.

Arizona State, led by quarterback Sam Keller, is averaging 47 points a game. The Sun Devils are ranked second nationally in passing offense, averaging nearly 396 yards, and fourth in total offense (592 yards a game).

“They’re not getting stopped at all, they’re just rolling,” Carroll said.

USC hopes for another stout effort from its defense, which mostly stifled Oregon through the final 2 1/2 quarters. Trojan starters have surrendered only one touchdown in each of USC’s victories over Hawaii, Arkansas and Oregon.

Offensive tackle Sam Baker credited the defense with keeping Oregon in check as the offense worked through numerous mistakes and penalties.

“We knew it was our fault the drives were stopping,” Baker said after the game. “The defense did a great job giving us time to get things together.”

Carroll praised defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Lawrence Jackson for containing Oregon when it ran the option and linebackers Oscar Lua and Keith Rivers for their overall play. He also said that safety Darnell Bing had one of his better performances and that safety Josh Pinkard would continue to fill the nickel back role as he did against Oregon.

After the game Saturday, Carroll said he was pleased that his team was forced to struggle before taking control.

“You need to have all these lessons as you go down through your schedule so that you can draw on them,” he said.

Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart said the Trojans expect more challenges from Pac-10 opponents and Notre Dame.

“We’re not just going to breeze through these games,” said Leinart, who has completed 59 of 87 passes for 1,028 yards and 10 touchdowns with two interceptions.

Leinart completed 23 of 39 passes against Oregon and fell from first to second nationally in passing efficiency. Drew Stanton of Michigan State has a 201.3 rating, Leinart 200.4.

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Defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey (ankle) and flanker Steve Smith (shin bruise) will practice this week and will be ready for Saturday’s game against Arizona State, Carroll said.... Sophomore split end Dwayne Jarrett, who caught two touchdown passes against Oregon, has 20 touchdown receptions in 16 games. Jarrett ranks third nationally in scoring, averaging 14 points a game.... Reggie Bush ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards, averaging 212 a game. ESPN’s “GameDay” show will emanate from Arizona State on Saturday.