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Washington helps USC hold off Arizona State

Oct 15, 2006 - 3:59 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Chauncey Washington helped Southern California continue its unprecedented success in the Pac-10 Conference.

Washington ran for a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown and John David Booty threw for two more scores as the third-ranked Trojans posted a 28-21 victory over Arizona State after blowing a three-touchdown advantage.

USC (6-0, 4-0) now has won 30 home games, 27 Pac-10 games and 21 conference home contests in a row - all league records. The Trojans also have won eight consecutive games against the Sun Devils (3-3, 0-3).

"To be at 6-0, to be at the bye at the halfway point and just really starting to hit our stride jacks me up," Trojans coach Pete Carroll said. "Matt's (Leinart) not here, Reggie's (Bush) not here, it's just a different team.

"We're still not getting the turnovers that I want and that I stress, but once those happen, I know we'll catch fire."

Washington capped a 14-play, 76-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge to snap a 21-21 tie with 4:29 to play. The senior running back ran for 114 yards on 23 carries.

"They gave me a chance to get into a groove," Washington said. "Coach Carroll challenged me last night before the game. He reminded me of the great backs that came before me and that it was my time to step up and to run strong."

"We wanted to pound it. Every play and every situation was discussed, but Chauncey was hot," Carroll said. "(Offensive lineman Ryan) Kalil and the guys were really rolling. Chauncey was the real deal. I challenged him last night in the meetings and he stepped it up."

Booty started the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Allen Bradford with 10:05 remaining in the first quarter. The senior signal-caller, who completed 11-for-24 passes for 149 yards and an interception, added another TD toss to All-American Dwayne Jarrett to make it 21-0 with 12:23 left in the second quarter.

Jarrett returned after missing most of the last two contests with a sprained shoulder. He had five receptions for 62 yards, including his 33rd career TD grab - a Pac-10 record.

Despite its perfect record, USC has played three tough games before its upcoming bye week. The Trojans held on for a 28-22 win at Washington State on September 30, then survived against Washington here last week, 26-20, before holding off Arizona State on Saturday.

After Jarrett's score, it looked as though the Trojans would cruise to an easy victory, but the Sun Devils fought back. Ryan Torain's six-yard touchdown run with 1:34 remaining in the first half made it 21-7 at halftime.

Two second-half turnovers by USC resulted in touchdowns to tighten the game.

On the Trojans' first possession of the third quarter, Booty fumbled after being sacked by Dexter Davis and Gerald Munns recovered at the USC 30. The miscue set up an eight-yard touchdown pass from Rudy Carpenter to tight end Zach Miller.

After a miscommunication between Booty and Jarrett, Keno Walter-White returned an errant pass 38 yards for a score to tie the game with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter.

Carpenter finished 12-for-21 for 125 yards and one touchdown.