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Sluggish Southern Cal hangs on to beat Washington

Sep 30, 2007 - 5:47 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- On a weekend full of upsets, the top-ranked Southern California was close, but did not fall victim.

Running backs Stafon Johnson and Chauncey Washington combined for 228 yards and two touchdowns as USC defeated Washington, 27-24, on Saturday.

The Trojans were sluggish for most of the game, committing three turnovers and 16 penalties that cost them 161 yards.

Quarterback John David Booty threw for 236 yards for USC (4-0, 2-0 Pac-10), which beat Washington (2-3, 0-2) for the sixth straight time.

"Every time we go on the road, or even at home, teams are gunning for us and giving us their best effort and their best shot," Booty said.

"We made it close tonight," he said. "They executed when they had to, and got their chances when we gave it to them. But it was us, and I take responsibility for that."

Huskies quarterback Jake Locker ran for a one-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left to cut the deficit to three, but Washington failed to recover the onside kick.

"We just didn't take advantage of the ball tonight," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We just couldn't do more things wrong in the game.

"I think there was close to 200 yards in penalties, we turned the ball over three times," he said. "We just couldn't get out of our own way. I think it's a classic game when you really mess it up and give up a night. Washington was there to take it, all they needed was one more chance. On this night also we overcame that. I am grateful to have this win under all of the circumstances and all of the stuff that happened."

Locker completed 13-of-28 passes for just 90 yards, but the Huskies scored 21 points off Trojan turnovers and a blocked punt.

"I felt like we played good but not good enough to win," Locker said.

"Obviously, I think from my chair, from my vantage point, I think it was a good football game," Washington coach Ty Willingham said. "I thought there were mistakes on both teams. I felt that we did not overcome some of the ones that we made, but I am extremely proud of our football team. But in saying that I do not take any solace that we came close and didn't win."

After a scoreless first quarter, Booty fumbled the snap on his own 14 yard line to set up great field position for Washington.

The Huskies took advantage two plays later as Locker rushed to the right side on an option play, scoring from 10 yards out to give Washington a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

USC answered immediately as Booty led the Trojans down the field in six plays, capping the 68-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Patrick Turner to tie the score at 7-7 with 10:16 left in the second quarter.

"We could have lost this game, and it could have gone the other way," Booty said.

"But we came out with the win. I think that has a lot to do with our senior leadership. The guys were just fighting all the way through 60 minutes and just were not going to let it go."

After Johnson's eight-yard run gave USC a 14-7 lead, the Huskies tied it up with just over two minutes left in the half when safety Mesphin Forrester intercepted a tipped ball and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown. Trojans kicker David Beuhler made a 22-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to give USC a 17-14 lead at the half.

The Trojans extended their lead when Washington ran up the middle for a two-yard score to give USC a 24-14 lead with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Huskies got back within seven on a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Perkins to make the score, 24-17, with 12:44 to go in the game.