IT'S NO TOP HIT FOR 'SC TROJANS STRUGGLE, BUT GAIN VICTORY USC 38, IDAHO 10.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF

Staff Writer

Maybe USC can ask Nebraska to push back their highly anticipated meeting Sept. 15.

Because if a No. 1-ranked team must play four strong quarters, then USC proved Saturday night it needs improvement -- even against completely overmatched Idaho.

Skeptical poll voters will probably be happy to see the Trojans play Nebraska in two weeks because their 38-10 victory over Idaho in front of an announced crowd of 90,917 at the Coliseum offered few style points, especially from superstar quarterback John David Booty.

"We had times where we played (like) we expect but we had times where we didn't," Booty said. "We stopped ourselves."

In the second quarter, USC did not even bully the Vandals, getting outplayed for 15 minutes. But dominating first and third quarters at least produced the needed lopsided final score.

It could have been worse. Ask Michigan.

"People think it's not a good team that we played, but they end up doing things you don't expect," tight end Fred Davis said. "We feel that extra pressure."

That was apparent in the second quarter. Not to mention the fourth, when the Trojans scored zero points. But that did not deter USC coach Pete Carroll.

"I always liked the way our schedule was set up," said Carroll, because the Trojans are off next week, while Nebraska plays Wake Forest. It will also give Carroll time to study some of the lackluster moments.

Saturday night's result probably will not scare Nebraska when it studies the game film. But the game did give Carroll a chance to feature many younger players in key roles, including tailback Stafon Johnson, wide receiver Vidal Hazelton and fullback Stanley Havili.

And sophomore tailback C.J. Gable (Sylmar High) played with his usual industry, gaining 54 yards in the first half and a touchdown reception.

But the person expected to carry the burden offensively was hit-and-miss, as Booty offered an inconsistent performance, which is even worse when your opponent is Idaho. Booty certainly was not at his best, with more than a few ill-advised or off-target passes.

He completed 11 of 16 passes for 109yards in the first half, but a poor decision resulted in a second-quarter interception.

His Heisman Trophy campaign came off with more glitches -- he also had a pass deflected, a sore issue for fans that remember tipped passes at the end of losses to Oregon State and UCLA last year.

On the plus side, Booty and true freshman Kris O'Dowd enjoyed a flawless first half on quarterback-center exchanges. As expected, the Trojans never unveiled the shotgun, with O'Dowd forced to start in place of the injured Matt Spanos.

Wide receiver Patrick Turner (shoulder) and cornerback Josh Pinkard (knee) also sat out the game with injuries. Linebacker Brian Cushing suffered a low-ankle sprain but X-rays were negative and he said he expects to play against Nebraska.

But Turner's absence did not explain why the lopsided talent advantage did not quite show itself in the first half, especially in the second quarter, when the Vandals outgained USC 122-80 in the second quarter and were barely outscored (7-3).

"Our tempo faded and we got lackadaisical," offensive tackle Sam Baker said.

USC redeemed itself in the third quarter with an early touchdown by Havili to expand its lead to 28-7, but the Trojans also turned the ball over on downs inside the 10-yard line, with Booty throwing badly behind a receiver on fourth down.

In reality, the up-and-down effort was no different than what USC offered in scrimmages, and the search for breakaway skill players continued. Freshman tailback Joe McKnight displayed a nice moment on a cutback run and gained 30 yards on four carries midway through the second half.

Defensively, linebacker Keith Rivers got off to a lively start with six tackles through three quarters.

It all looked like it would be a massive blowout early. USC spent the first quarter with a formidable offense, as Gable rushed for 46 yards and Johnson 33. The Trojans led 14-0 on a 4-yard run from Johnson followed by an 8-yard pass from Booty to Gable.

Johnson added a 1-yard touchdown run that gave the Trojans a 35-3 advantage with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Idaho did surprise early, as Deonte Jackson reeled off a 22-yard run and the Vandals completed passes of 16 and 18 yards. That counts for something, especially with the Vandals playing what many think is the nation's top defense.

Although Idaho outplayed USC in the second quarter, the Trojans produced the highlight play. Booty lofted a pass in the end zone for Hazelton, who grabbed it with one hand and fell to the ground without ever using his other hand.

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NEXT

Sept. 15 at Nebraska, 5 p.m.

TV: Ch. 7.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) USC's Chauncey Washington gets away from Idaho's Shiloh Keo in the second quarter.

(2) USC's Stanley Havili vaults over the head of Idaho's Breyon Williams in the first quarter Saturday.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(3) Vidal Hazelton, USC wide receiver

Box: (1) USC 38, Idaho 10

(2) THEY SAID IT

(3) HERO

(4) GOAT

(5) KEY NUMBER

(6) USC SCHEDULE