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Johnson, USC outclass Nebraska in interconference clash

Sep 16, 2007 - 6:58 AM LINCOLN, Nebraska (Ticker) -- Southern California gave the nation a first-hand look at why it is the top-ranked team in college football.

Stafon Johnson rushed for a career-high 144 yards as the Trojans steamrolled No. 14 Nebraska, 49-31, in a nationally televised game Saturday night.

Southern Cal (2-0) looked well-rested coming off a bye last week, grinding out 326 total rushing yards in a game billed as a showdown between two of the sport's most-storied programs.

While the Trojans rested last week, second-ranked Louisiana State posted an impressive 48-7 rout of then-No. 9 Virginia Tech in another nationally televised contest.

The Tigers gained ground on the Trojans in the rankings, but USC reminded everyone of its dominance in this one.

Johnson emerged as the top player in USC's loaded backfield Saturday, rumbling through gaping holes in Nebraska's overmatched defense. The 210-pound sophomore needed just 11 carries to surpass his previous career high of 64 yards.

"When you go to a school like USC, you always want to show what you can do," Johnson said. "I was showing to the coaches that I was ready. I wanted to come in and show them. That is why I came here, to show and prove that I am a great ball player and I am going to do anything I can do to win."

C.J. Gable chipped in 69 rushing yards on just four carries, while Chauncey Washington ran for 43 yards and two TDs on 12 rushes. Fullback Stanley Havili reeled off a 50-yard run on the opening drive and added a two-yard TD plunge for the Trojans, who amassed 326 yards on the ground.

"We had some time on the field to talk to the guys (after USC kick returner Vincent Joseph's injury in the second quarter), and we told them we're going to run the ball every play, until something changes and it's up to them," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We ripped off about a 20-yarder and then bang-bang, we're in the end zone four or five plays later.

"It was a tremendous response by them. We knew we had a chance to do that from that point on. We're very, very pleased about that."

USC's overwhelming ground attack provided plenty of support for John David Booty, who completed 19-of-30 passes for 144 yards and two TDs.

Nebraska (2-1) came out emotionally charged in the first quarter and grabbed a 10-7 advantage - its only lead of the game - six minutes into the second on Alex Henery's 37-yard field goal.

But the Trojans outclassed the Cornhuskers from there, racing for 35 consecutive points to turn this one into a laugher.

"It's beyond disappointing," Nebraska linebacker Bo Ruud said. "It feels terrible right now. This was really bad performance from our team and I don't think it shows at all how we expect ourselves to play."

Havili's TD run with 6:50 left in the first half gave USC the lead for good at 14-10, and Johnson added a seven-yard score 79 seconds before the break to push the Trojans' cushion to 21-10.

Booty found tight end Anthony McCoy for a two-yard TD pass 3 1/2 minutes into the second half, and Washington added a pair of TD runs later in the third quarter to help USC pull away.

Sam Keller played well for Nebraska, completing 36-of-54 attempts for 389 yards, two TDs and two interceptions.

"I thought he played tough," Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. "I thought he was gutty in the pocket. He took some hits. I thought he really competed. I looked at his numbers, and they're pretty solid numbers against the top-ranked defense defending the pass.

"It was a pretty solid performance (by Keller). We just have to give him a little help and balance up the attack, and I think we'll be fine."

Maurice Purify hauled in seven receptions for 80 yards, while Todd Peterson finished with 74 yards and a pair of TDs on five catches.

Keller hooked up with Peterson for both scores late in the fourth quarter to pull Nebraska within 49-31, but the contest was nowhere near as close as the final score indicated.

"We can take positives from this," Keller said. "Nobody's going in the tank, nothing's going to happen. We're going to go back, we're going to fix it and everything is going to be fine. I'm just proud of the guys for not going in the tank. We just kept fighting until the final whistle was blown."