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After bye, USC looks for better performance at Oregon State

Oct 24, 2006 - 7:51 PM No. 3 USC (6-0) at Oregon St (4-3), 3:30 pm EDT

CORVALLIS, Oregon (Ticker) - Third-ranked Southern California leaves the "Golden State" for the final time this season Saturday when it visits Oregon State in a Pac-10 Conference matchup.

The Trojans (6-0, 4-0 Pac-10), who are coming off a bye, have looked shaky in their last three games, beating Washington State, Washington and Arizona State by no more than a touchdown.

USC blew a 21-point lead before defeating the Sun Devils at home on October 14, 28-21, on a go-ahead two-yard touchdown run by Chauncey Washington with 4:29 left. However, the Trojans should feel confident against the Beavers, as they have won 30 of the past 31 meetings, including the last four.

In the most recent encounter, USC rallied from a 13-0 deficit to win a foggy night contest here two years ago, 28-20. Reggie Bush scored on a dazzling, spinning punt return for the game's signature play.

USC has five games remaining, three at home sandwiched around road games at intrastate foes Stanford and UCLA.

After losing back-to-back home games to California and Washington State, the Beavers (4-3, 2-2) have responded by winning consecutive road contests as Washington and Arizona.

In last week's 17-10 triumph in Tucson, Yvenson Bernard rushed for 107 yards before suffering an ankle injury. It is unclear whether he will play this one.

Already without starting right tackle Josh Linehan (knee), the Beavers also saw starting center Kyle DeVan (knee) and backup receiver Ruben Jackson (ankle) suffer injuries at Arizona.