Marqise Lee returns and gives USC a spark in win over Beavers
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- USC receiver Marqise Lee returned from injury and helped spark the Trojans to a 31-14 victory Oregon State on Friday night at Reser Stadium.
Lee, who sat out last week against Utah because of a knee injury, caught five passes for 105 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown on the Trojans’ first offensive play.
Lee caught three passes for 100 yards in the first half.
Lee’s touchdown was only his second of a season that has been stalled by injuries.
The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner suffered a shoulder injury during training camp and a knee injury against Arizona State on Sept. 28. He aggravated the injury in the Trojans’ loss at Notre Dame.
Shaw steps up again
Cornerback Josh Shaw intercepted a pass in the end zone with 12:13 left in the second quarter, thwarting a possible touchdown that would have pulled the Beavers to within seven points.
It was the second interception in as many games for Shaw, a junior who transferred to USC from Florida in the spring of 2012.
He finished with eight tackles.
Shaw started at safety in the opener against Hawaii, the next four at cornerback, and then moved back to safety for two games before returning to cornerback against Utah.
Shaw had one of USC’s three interceptions in the Trojans’ 19-3 victory over Utah.
Safety Dion Bailey got his third interception, cornerback Kevon Seymour his first.
Kennard keeps coming
Senior linebacker Devon Kennard had two sacks for 20 yards.
Kennard had entered the game with seven tackles for losses, including five sacks.
End Leonard Williams had two tackles.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound sophomore from Florida also blocked a field-goal attempt in the first quarter.
McQuay starts
Freshman safety Leon McQuay III started for the second consecutive game in place of an injured player.
McQuay started against Oregon State because freshman Su’a Cravens suffered a groin injury on an interception return against Utah.
McQuay had started at nickel back against Utah in place of Bailey. After Cravens was injured, Bailey suited up and played the second half and McQuay moved to safety.
McQuay had six tackles against Oregon State.
Bailey returned to the starting lineup against Oregon State and intercepted a pass and finished with five tackles.
Graf out
Senior offensive tackle Kevin Graf did not play because of an ankle injury suffered against Utah.
Graf traveled with the Trojans but was in sweats during the game.
The starting offensive line was left tackle Chad Wheeler, left guard John Martinez, center Marcus Martin, right guard Aundrey Walker and right tackle Max Tuerk.
Local product
Oregon State receiver Richard Mullaney caught five passes for 53 yards.
Mullaney, a sophomore who played at Thousand Oaks High, had entered the game with 33 receptions.
Quick hits
Tight end Xavier Grimble, who sat out against Utah because of an ankle injury, returned but did not start. Grimble had no receptions.
Twitter: @latimesklein
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