OREGON GIVES USC THE BOOT AT THE END OREGON 24, USC 22.

EUGENE, Ore. - USC got so close it could taste the improbable Saturday night, celebrating in Autzen Stadium in the final minutes and leading seventh-ranked Oregon.

Former Westlake High star Bobby DeMars, in his first career start, blocked a field-goal attempt with 3:09 remaining to preserve a one-point advantage, and the Trojans appeared on the verge of snapping the Ducks' 22-game home winning streak.

But Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington drove the Ducks 61 yards in the final minute, setting up Jared Siegel's 32-yard field goal with 12 seconds left for a 24-22 victory in front of 45,765.

The field goal dashed USC's improbable comeback - they outscored the Ducks 16-0 in the second half before Siegel's winning kick.

``You think the game's over and think you've won and it's over and you've lost,'' USC quarterback Carson Palmer said.

The Trojans (1-2, 0-1 Pac-10) trailed 21-6 at halftime but took a 22-21 lead when kicker David Davis made a 40-yard field goal with 10:20 left in the game. Davis was 3 for 3 on field goals, including a career-high 43- yarder.

It all was wasted, however, as the Ducks (3-0, 1-0) relied once again on Harrington's heroics. He had a mediocre game until the final drive, but that's how he has made his reputation as a national figure.

``I'm really disappointed,'' USC coach Pete Carroll said. ``We couldn't finish. But it was a fine effort to get back a one-point lead. The turnovers were the story. The ball was on the ground all night and flying around. It's unfortunate, we had a chance to win.''

Palmer was almost giving the game away through the first two-plus quarters, when he threw three interceptions, all to Ducks cornerback Steve Smith.

``I just made dumb reads,'' Palmer said.

Palmer ended up with 411 yards passing, completing 25 of 40 passes with two touchdowns.

Despite Palmer's costly interceptions, USC trailed 21-19 with 14:48 left in the game after Palmer found wide receiver Kareem Kelly uncovered for a 93-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion failed when Palmer tripped on offensive lineman Faaesea Mailo's foot.

Perhaps realizing how tough it is to win at Autzen Stadium, the Trojans went into the game with a surprising scheme, frequently lining up with five wide receivers and no one in the backfield besides Palmer. USC also tried several plays with no huddle.

In a departure from the first two games, offensive coordinator Norm Chow called the plays from the press box instead of the sideline.

But in the first half, Palmer's struggles were the difference. He threw two interceptions to Smith, who returned the second one 38 yards for a touchdown that gave Oregon a 14-6 halftime advantage.

That play changed the momentum of the game, as USC had just stopped Oregon on downs with two minutes left in the half. But Palmer's soft pass for Grant Mattos easily was plucked by Smith.

Palmer opened the second half with a slightly errant pass off Mattos' hands that Smith picked off for his third interception. Three plays later, Harrington found tight end Justin Peelle wide open for a 21-yard touchdown and the Ducks led 21-6.

The Trojans answered with 6:12 left in the third quarter, when Palmer rolled right and threw left to Sultan McCullough, who only had to beat Smith for a 75-yard touchdown pass. USC received a 15-yard personal foul when McCullough taunted Oregon players during the run, but Davis made a 35-yard extra point to make it 21-13.

With 3:13 left in the first quarter, the game was halted when Oregon cornerback A.K. Keyes suffered a back injury and was taken to a nearby hospital. An exam revealed he did not suffer any fractures and had movement in his hands and legs.