Quarterback debate figures to heat up again

Looking back at No. 13 USC’s 24-17 loss to No. 4 Oregon.

Rewind

As expected: The Trojans had trouble pressuring Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon, who ran and passed out of the no-huddle spread offense with poise and, most important, avoided turnovers.

The Trojans dropped four spots in the Associated Press media poll and seven spots to 19th in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

Unexpected: Tight end Fred Davis, the Trojans’ leading receiver going into the game, was limited to one reception for 11 yards.

On fourth and one at the Oregon 12 in the first quarter, the Trojans lined up with an empty backfield and Joe McKnight went in motion. Quarterback Mark Sanchez handed off to McKnight, and the running back was tackled for a loss.

Stepped up: Receiver Patrick Turner showed signs of using his physical stature to overwhelm smaller opponents. Vidal Hazelton went over the middle and showed toughness by bouncing back from bone-rattling hits.

David Ausberry caught his first touchdown pass.

Stepped back: Sanchez handled a tough crowd and showed moxie during a late touchdown drive, but he had two passes intercepted in the second half that cost the Trojans.

USC was penalized six times for 80 yards. A holding penalty nullified a touchdown.

Coach’s quote: Pete Carroll on injured quarterback John David Booty: “With all the rest, I figure he’s going to be just about full speed. . . . I think he’s going to be really close to being ready.”

Carroll on the decision to give the ball to McKnight, who was in motion, on the fourth-down play in the first quarter: “We thought it would be jammed up inside . . . and they did jam the inside. They got off the football real well, with the noise that was going on, they got penetration and we thought it might be a touchdown play.

“They got ahold of Joe before he got rolling around the edge.”

Injury report: Booty’s broken finger has had three weeks to heal, and the senior is eager to return to the lineup.

Offensive tackle Sam Baker had an MRI exam on his left hamstring and hip Sunday night and might not play against Oregon State.

Freshman center Kris O’Dowd (knee) is expected to return to practice this week.

Looking ahead to the game vs. Oregon State (Saturday, Coliseum, 5 p.m., Channel 7).

Fast forward

First look: The Beavers, coming off a 23-6 victory over Stanford, have won three games in a row.

Running back Yvenson Bernard left the Stanford game at halftime because of a shoulder injury.

Topic of the week: The Booty-Sanchez situation is in play again, but motivation is also at the forefront.

The Trojans, out of the race for the national title and needing some help to reach the Rose Bowl, must convince themselves there’s still something to play for.

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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Season log (6-2)

Sept. 1: Idaho (1-8); Won, 38-10.

Sept. 15: at then-No. 14 Nebraska (4-5); Won 49-31.

Sept. 22: Washington State (3-5, 1-4 in Pac-10); Won, 47-14.

Sept. 29: Washington (2-6, 0-5); Won, 27-24.

Oct. 6: Stanford (3-5, 2-4);

Lost, 24-23.

Oct. 13: Arizona (3-6, 2-4);

Won, 20-13.

Oct. 20: Notre Dame (1-7);

Won, 38-0.

Oct. 27: Oregon (7-1, 4-1); Lost, 24-17; Ducks showed they legitimately belonged in the national title hunt, Dennis Dixon in the Heisman discussion.

Saturday: vs. Oregon State (5-3, 3-2); Beavers broke Trojans’ spell last year in Corvallis and won’t be intimidated in post-Stanford Coliseum.

Nov. 10: at California (5-3, 2-3)

Nov. 22: at Arizona State (8-0, 5-0)

Dec. 1: UCLA (5-3, 4-1)