• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Sanchez, USC blast Washington State

Oct 19, 2008 - 4:02 AM PULLMAN, Washington (Ticker) -- The mismatch between Southern California and Washington State proved to be just that - and more.

Mark Sanchez threw five touchdowns in the first half and fourth-ranked USC dominated Washington State in every aspect of the game, cruising to a 69-0 Pac-10 Conference victory Saturday.

The Trojans (5-1, 3-1 Pac-10) scored at will from the opening whistle, finding the end zone on their first six possessions in a game that could not have been more one-sided.

The 69-point margin was the worst loss in Washington State program history, which began in 1894.

USC outgained the Cougars, 625-116, and totaled 28 first downs compared to just four for Washington State, which did not move the ball past midfield at any point during the game.

We wanted to find that level of focus that we really hadn't had yet, " coach Pete Carroll said. "Knowing that we've got enormous games coming up down the schedule on the road . . . I wanted to see that we could capture it."

Sanchez completed 15-of-20 passes for 253 yards, all of which came in the first half. He connected on a pair of scoring strikes to Patrick Turner and Ronald Johnson as the Trojans led, 41-0, at halftime.

Washington State (1-7, 0-5) had its string of 280 consecutive games without being shut out snapped. It was the first time the Cougars had been held scoreless since a 44-0 loss to Ohio State in 1984.

" We need to grow up. Have to mature, and learn how to fight a little bit more," Cougar coach Paul Wulff said. "We have to learn how to compete and not have the glazed look over their eyes.

"We have to regroup and work our butts off this week. We have five games to go, and an opportunity to compete with all those teams on our schedule; we have to look at it as a new season."

USC posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1971.

"We've come to a point where we understand nothing is going to be given to us," defensive tackle Fili Moala said. "We've come to terms with that and we're comfortable with it now."

Southern Cal's speed and athleticism was showcased early and often, as Washington State allowed more than 60 points for the fourth time this year.

We need to start over," WSU quarterback Kevin Lopina said. "This bye week is going to be a new season.

"There's not much we can do now. We just have to come out tomorrow and keep working. If we just sit here and think about all the bad losses we've had we're not going to get better. A lot of players are playing not to mess up."

C.J. Gable ran for three touchdowns and Broderick Green added two scoring runs for USC, which ran for 346 yards on 47 carries.

Green collected 121 yards on the ground, while Stafon Johnson ran for 112 and Gable added 109.