Unlike last year’s contest, which wasn’t decided until the game’s final play, this year’s matchup between USC and Washington State (in each team’s Pac-10 opener) was decided before halftime, with the Trojans cruising to an easy 47-14 victory at the Coliseum. The Trojans showed impressive balance, with the ability to move the ball efficiently through the air and on the ground, and to score plenty of points while shutting down the opposing offense. They may have even found a go-to receiver, with TE Fred Davis catching nine passes for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Before we roundup all of the post-game coverage, we present some game notes and injury updates:

• Although the passing game did not produce any long plays, it was remarkably efficient on the evening, with QB John David Booty completing 80% of his passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception near the Cougar goal line. In addition to the clutch performance by Davis, WR Patrick Turner rebounded from his disappointing performance against Nebraska with six catches for 64 yards, and Vidal Hazelton also had six catches, including a nice one in traffic that resulted in a touchdown. In all, nine Trojans caught passes.
• The Trojan running game–although little-used in the early going as USC attempted to establish the pass–amassed 207 yards, with senior starter Chauncey Washington leading the way with 84 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries. Washington looked especially strong on the evening, and made it difficult for Cougar defenders to bring him down.
• Sixth-year senior RB Hershel Dennis played for the first time this season, collecting 14 yards on four fourth-quarter carries. He would have had a touchdown had it not been called back due to a penalty.
• Freshman RB Joe McKnight excited fans with his first impressive performance of the season, turning seven late carries into 48 yards.
• In what will no doubt be an emerging storyline, sophomore CJ Gable was once again the odd man out of the tailback rotation, getting just one carry against WSU after receiving only four the previous week. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated in postgame comments that Gable’s lack of playing time was not due to anything that Gable has done wrong, although we cannot imagine Gable being happy with the situation.
• Much like last week, the Trojan defense went into shutdown mode after giving up a touchdown on a lengthy early drive by the opposition. The Cougars were held to just 247 total yards (well below their average of 476 yards per game) and just 64 yards rushing, and QB Alex Brink was held to just 55% completions and 165 yards (both well below his season averages).
• Despite an interception by DE Kyle Moore (for the second week in a row), the Trojans had a minus-one turnover margin, due to picks thrown by Booty and backup Mark Sanchez. Although it didn’t count as a turnover, Cougar punter Darryl Blunt also recovered his own fumbled snap and was pinned for a loss.
• Speaking of special teams, the Trojans showed improvement over their performance last week, with no notable miscues save for a missed PAT attempt by David Buehler. Desmond Reed even had a nice 44-yard kick return, although USC did surrender a long return to the Cougars’ Charles Dillon. Ray Guy Award candidate Greg Woidneck celebrated being named to that award’s official watchlist by sitting on the bench, as the Trojans never once needed to punt.
• C Kris O’Dowd did not start the game because he was late to a team meeting on Friday. Jeff Byers played center on the first series in his place.
• As a result of injuries to the secondary, freshman safety Marshall Jones made his first appearance of the season in the fourth quarter, and will not be able to redshirt this year as a result. Other freshmen defenders who played at the end of the game included linebackers Chris Galippo and Malcolm Smith, and DL Christian Tupou.

Injury updates

• It looks like cornerback is this season’s fullback for USC. When Cary Harris went down with a dislocated shoulder in the first half, he became the fourth Trojan CB to be hurt this season, following Josh Pinkard, Kevin Thomas, and Vincent Joseph. Pinkard and Thomas are out for the season, and Joseph could not play against WSU due to a bruised larynx suffered in the Nebraska game. Harris is expected to miss at least several weeks, although more will be known after he undergoes an MRI. Shareece Wright will start in his place, backed up by Mozique McCurtis.
• Early in the game, LB Brian Cushing reinjured the same ankle that he originally sprained in the season opener, apparently hearing “a pop” on the play. His status is uncertain for next weekend’s game.

Booty’s 4 TD passes lead USC past WSU (AP via Yahoo!)
Slinging a different tune (LA Times)
Dufresne: With Booty on target, there are no questions left (LA Times)
Secondary’s latest casualty is Harris (LA Times)
X’s and O’s: USC gets aggressive on offense and it pays off (LA Times)
USC makes another statement with victory (Daily News)
Trojans’ passing numbers just don’t add up (Daily News)
USC TE Davis has breakout game (Daily News)
USC’s injuries continue to mount (Daily News)
Brink struggles against USC as Cougs fall, 47-14 (Seattle Times)
Trojans win Pac-10 opener (Rivals)
Notes on a scorecard: USC tames Cougars (Rivals, $)

You can also review all articles about this game on our Game Recap page:
USC-WSU Game Recap