TROJANS FIND A SERENE SETTING RELAXED USC IN COMPLETE CONTROL IN ROUT OF WASHINGTON ST. USC 55, WASH. ST. 13.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

Go inside the USC huddle and you are likely to see a range of emotions, but the No. 1-ranked Trojans exuded calmness on Saturday afternoon, or at least eliminated negative feelings that crept in during recent games.

``Usually someone panics,'' receiver Chris McFoy said. ``Especially when we start out slow. But we were relaxed the whole game. Everybody wasn't panicking like in our other games.''

There was no reason to get stressed out, because USC finally played all four quarters in a 55-13 rout of Washington State in front of an announced homecoming crowd of 92,021 at the Coliseum.

``This was our calmest game since Arkansas,'' offensive tackle Sam Baker said.

There wasn't even anything to nitpick about, like last week, when some players suggested the offense wisely reverted to the system run the previous two years.

USC coach Pete Carroll searched hard for a complete game since September and found one at the end of October, as the defense matched the offense, something that hasn't happened much this season.

Even the dreaded special teams were effective most of the game.

``Our offense was ridiculously effective,'' Carroll said. ``We've been struggling the past couple weeks but we put everything together today.

``I've talked to the guys about it quite a bit, how important it is to finish the season strong. That's what we face now, a chance to finish the season with a really nice year. We're almost at the fourth quarter here.''

About the only frustrated Trojan was Heisman Trophy candidate Reggie Bush, who lost a touchdown pass when receiver Dwayne Jarrett dropped a catchable ball. Bush also failed to break any punt or kick returns but still managed 97 yards in 17 carries.

``I think I was trying too hard instead of letting it come to me,'' Bush said. ``I wouldn't let it come to me.''

It didn't matter because tailback LenDale White broke out of his two-game slump and rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns. White was so loose, he flipped the ball to rapper Snoop Dogg after scoring his second touchdown.

Snoop Dogg also directed the USC band, which gave the game an even more surreal feeling and drove the student section wild. White even appreciated the home crowd in his own unique style.

``When they aren't booing against you, they're booing for you,'' he said.

It was a feel-good game for the Trojans (8-0, 5-0), who uncharacteristically spread the wealth even though Jarrett caught a career-high 11 passes for a career-high 200 yards. McFoy caught a season-high four passes and the tight ends added three receptions.

``I wouldn't know how to tell you we were able to get the ball to everyone,'' McFoy said. ``I don't even know. But everybody gets to cheer each other on and it's good to see everyone get some love. I don't care if we throw for 400,000 yards or 10 yards, everyone is happy when we do it this way.''

The offensive line also got into the act, as tackle Winston Justice scored a touchdown in the first quarter after recovering Bush's fumble in the end zone. It was Bush's first fumble of the season and ironic because he spoke this week about how much he improved holding on to the ball.

But his turnover made Justice happy.

``I actually want to catch the ball and run into the end zone,'' Justice said. ``I'm pleased because I heard Washington State was trying to expose my weaknesses. I thought they might give us a dogfight but after the first quarter the game was over.''

Washington State (3-5, 0-5) usually plays teams close before collapsing, but other than a couple of nice runs from tailback Jerome Harrison, the Cougars didn't trouble the Trojans. Of course, watching Harrison average 13 yards a carry in the first quarter gives pause if the Trojans face a better team.

Harrison broke off runs of 38 and 52 yards in the first quarter before the passing game's ineptness made it impossible to do any damage.

``They did run the ball effectively but you saw the same plays later in the game and they went out of bounds,'' Carroll said. ``One of the long runs was a really bad (defensive) call on my part and the other play we just played it poorly.

``I wish we didn't give up those two runs, but otherwise we were in total command.''

Leinart's sometimes-fragile psyche also got a boost for the second straight week, as he completed 24 of 34 passes for 364 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

``He's struggled, but what do you expect?'' Carroll said. ``You can't play well every week.''

Leinart's perfectionist side came out after the game when he focused on his interception.

``I made a really dumb mistake,'' he said. ``When things are going so well, you think nothing can go wrong.''

USC didn't make many other mistakes, and the Trojans stand an excellent chance of being No. 1 again when the Bowl Championship Rankings are released Monday.

``I know you can't spell BCS without 'SC,'' White said.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett gets by Washington State's Eric Frampton for a big gain in the third quarter.

(2) Trojans receiver Steve Smith beats WSU's Husain Abdullah for a first-quarter touchdown on Saturday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

40/40/40 CLUB