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Booty throws four TDs as Southern Cal mauls Washington State

Sep 23, 2007 - 5:16 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Southern California ended the 1,100th game in its rich history much like it did the first 1,099 - with a win.

John David Booty threw for four touchdowns Saturday and directed the top-ranked Trojans to their 35th straight home win, a 47-14 victory over Washington State in the Pac-10 Conference opener for both teams.

With the win, USC improved to 746-300-54 all-time since it began playing football in 1888.

Booty opened the game by leading the Trojans (3-0, 1-0 Pac-10) down the field on a 13-play, 83-yard drive - capped off by six-yard touchdown pass to Fred Davis.

After the Cougars (2-1, 0-1) countered with a long TD drive of their own, Booty helped the Trojans respond with 20 unanswered points to end the first half - including Davis' second TD reception - to extend the lead to 27-7.

"I'm really fired up about this offense because we have a lot of ways to go right now, a lot of places to put the football," USC coach Pete Carroll said.

A 6-4, 250-pound tight end, Davis finished with nine receptions for 124 yards and two TDs - all season highs.

"In practice, I was getting a lot of balls and the gameplan was to come to me a lot," Davis said. "It has been a long time; I felt like a receiver again. It felt good to be out there helping our team win."

"Freddie had a heck of a game," Carroll said. "He's just played three beautiful games and done everything consistently throughout those games and tonight we had a chance to go to him."

Booty also found Allen Bradford and Vidal Hazelton for TD passes in the second half to complete his stellar performance. The senior signal-caller completed 28-of-35 passes for 279 yards and an interception before departing early in the fourth quarter after throwing his fourth TD.

"I think we needed to (pass the ball); we know we can run the ball," Booty said. "Passing wasn't an issue to us, but with Pac-10 play coming, it's important we get both sides involved - not just the running game - but the passing came as well."

The Trojans' defense, which entered the contest ranked 41st in total defense, stepped up after surrendering Washington State's 15-play, 76-yard scoring drive on their first possession.

"Other than the first series, I think we got after it pretty well," USC linebacker Keith Rivers. "With (their) spread offense, the receivers are going to get their catches, but we teed off on them when we (had) the opportunity."

USC limited the Cougars to five net yards and also forced two turnovers over the remainder of the first half.

"Sometimes, in the beginning of the game, you come out slow," USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis said. "It's not OK at all and something we don't do on this football team. We fixed it really fast. When we came out the next series, we were fine.

"I don't think there was any adjustment made; we just came out and played football the way we know how. On that first drive, they did a good job getting in little passes and they had a couple of runs that broke. We came off to the sidelines and said that wasn't happening anymore."

After the USC defense forced another three-and-out to open the second half, Chauncey Washington scored from seven yards out to push the lead to 34-7.

After compiling just 43 yards on 12 carries last Saturday against Nebraska, the senior tailback carried 11 times for 85 yards in this contest.

Washington State's Alex Brink, who finished 17-of-31 for 165 yards with two TDs and an interception, guided the Cougars' final drive midway through the third quarter.