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Talented Southern California opens with rout of Virginia

Aug 31, 2008 - 1:55 AM CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia (Ticker) -- Southern California does not rebuild, it merely reloads.

Mark Sanchez tossed three touchdown passes Saturday as the second-ranked Trojans dismantled Virginia, 52-7, in the season opener for both teams.

There was some concern about Sanchez's health, but he showed no negative effects from a dislocated right kneecap suffered three weeks ago. The junior completed 26-of-35 passes for 338 yards before giving way to Mitch Mustain midway through the fourth quarter.

A junior, Sanchez started three games last season, going 2-1 while filling in for the injured John David Booty.

"I feel very comfortable with the offense this year," Sanchez said. "My injury really made me take a step back and think about what I wanted this season to be.

"We came into camp with so many expectations, and then my knee goes out. But thanks to the training staff and medicine, I was able to get back in shape."

The Trojans (1-0), who once again have national championship aspirations, put away Saturday's game early, scoring on their first three possessions to open a 21-0 lead just 11 minutes into the contest. They now have a week off to prepare for a September 13 showdown against No. 3 Ohio State that could have major BCS implications.

"Hopefully we'll maximize our opportunity by working with the younger guys in a normal fashion," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "A cool thing is that so many guys played today."

On Saturday, the Trojans staked an early claim as the most talented team in the country. Ronald Johnson, Patrick Turner and Joe McKnight each had TD receptions for the USC, which is coming off its sixth straight season with at least 11 wins.

Damian Williams was Sanchez's favorite target with seven receptions for 91 yards.

"Damian Williams made a big difference out there on the field," Sanchez said. "I feel so comfortable throwing him the ball. We also had our burners on the outside like (Ronald Johnson) and (Travis Patterson). I think you see that chemistry between the wideouts and me."

The Trojans took advantage of favorable field position against the Cavaliers. They started three drives in Virginia territory and scored touchdowns on all three.

USC need less than five minutes to grab the lead on Stafon Johnson's two-yard TD run. Sanchez tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to McKnight and C.J. Gable ripped off a 33-yard TD scamper to give the Trojans a 21-point cushion.

"Mark really has eyes for getting the ball down field," Carroll said. "You give him time, and he'll find guys who take advantage of it. He has a way of taking advantage of the system we have."

Virginia (0-1) finally showed some signs of life, responding with a six-play, 62-yard drive to close within 21-7 on Mikell Simpson's seven-yard TD burst.

On its next possession, USC put together its best possession of the game, a 15-yard, 85-yard march that consumed more than eight minutes. Virginia's defense finally stiffened, and the Trojans settled for David Buehler's 20-yard field goal.

The Cavaliers had a chance to get back in the game, but they came up empty as Yannick Reyering missed a 46-yard field goal attempt with 4:35 left in the first half.

USC broke open the contest in the third quarter as Sanchez tossed TD passes of 20 yards to Turner and 49 yards to Ronald Johnson.

"USC was a big, powerful, fast team with superior quarterback play today," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "We were anything but big and fast. Our quarterback turned the ball over too many times."

Virginia's Peter Lalich completed 18-of-35 passes, but many of them were for short gains as he threw for only 155 yards. He committed two of the Cavaliers' four turnovers with a fumble and interception.

"Their speed was pretty unbelievable the whole game," Lalich said. "It's something they have all across the board."

The Trojans finished with a 558-187 edge in total offense, holding Virginia to just 32 yards on the ground.