TROJANS GO HOG WILD, AGAIN NEW-LOOK USC DEALS ARKANSAS SECOND STRAIGHT BLOWOUT USC 50, ARKANSAS 14.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF  Staff Writer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The names changed but the results are virtually the same for USC, which went into a hostile Southeastern Conference stadium and showed no signs of slowing down despite its inexperience.

Quarterback John David Booty, average through much of training camp, came of age in the third quarter as the sixth-ranked Trojans rolled past punchless Arkansas 50-14 in front of a Razorback Stadium record crowd of 76,564.

"This was really, really pleasing. It was a tough environment but it didn't faze us at all," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "John David was just the way we hoped."

No matter what else happened Saturday night, Booty and freshman C.J. Gable (Sylmar High) demonstrated that USC's transition period could be shorter-than-expected with a new quarterback and running back.

Booty, in his first college start, moved the offense with ease in the third quarter, when he completed 9 of 10 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Through three quarters, he was 20 for 28 for 185 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

By comparison, Matt Leinart completed 17 of 30 passes for 192 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in his first start against Auburn.

"I felt like the first quarter I played too fast. The second half, I slowed down and things slowed down around me as well," Booty said. "Some people doubted us but they don't know what we had."

Gable gained 46 yards in 11 carries through three quarters and ran tough despite his smallish size and the fact holes were not always noticeable.

It should be noted Arkansas' offense bordered on anemic, and sent fans filing home after three quarters. The Razorbacks' offense did not look any better than during last year's 70-17 USC rout.

And Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt will not be popular today after freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain showed more promise in his first series than starter Robert Johnson in more than three quarters.

Mustain quickly led Arkansas (0-1) to a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was far too late to change the outcome.

But for USC (1-0), Booty and Gable (along with tight end Fred Davis and tailback Chauncey Washington) were the stars of the night, and gave the offense enough punch to look formidable for future opponents, like 20th-ranked Nebraska in two weeks at the Coliseum.

Booty added a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Powdrell in the fourth quarter to continue the offensive onslaught and give the Trojans a 37-7 lead. That came on the heels of ending the third quarter with a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Fred Davis that made it 30-7.

In garbage time, freshman tailback Emmanuel Moody showed his quickness with a 24-yard run and scored a touchdown for USC's biggest lead at 44-7.

While the game was in doubt, however, it looked like Booty would be just average after USC kept things conservative for a half, as it led 16-7 at the break.

But the play-calling loosened up in the third quarter as Booty threw a 26-yard completion to Steve Smith and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Turner on the first possession of the quarter to give the Trojans a 22-7 advantage.

Overall the first half was reminiscent of Leinart's first college game three years ago at Auburn: Serviceable but not spectacular. That changed in the second half. Booty did not enjoy much success downfield but completed most of his passes to tight end Fred Davis, who caught three passes for 25 yards in the first half.

Wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith were nearly non-existent until the last series, when Smith caught his only two passes of the half and Jarrett caught one of his two. Booty completed 11 of 18 passes for 83 yards in the first half.

The Razorbacks could have provided a stiffer test, not getting their second first down until 6:30 remained. They also made things easier than expected at times, as Arkansas tailback Felix Jones self-destructed with two fumbles in the first half, which led to 10 USC points. His second fumble was forced by defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and recovered by cornerback Kevin Thomas, who returned it to the Razorbacks' 3-yard line.

Gable scored his first touchdown on a 3-yard run for a 10-0 lead with 13:12 left in the first half.

Gable then gained 28 yards in three carries to set up a 38-yard field goal by Mario Danelo and a 13-0 lead with 7:41 left. Danelo then added a 44-yard field goal as the half ended to give the Trojans a 16-7 advantage.

For those keeping score, USC has now won 46 of its past 48 games.

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CAPTION(S):

5 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) In his debut as USC's starting quarterback, John David Booty had three touchdown passes.

April L. Brown/Associated Press

(2) USC tailback C.J. Gable celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against Arkansas on Saturday.

(3) USC head coach Pete Carroll is all smiles after the Trojans blew out Arkansas for the second year in a row.

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

(4) USC's Fred Davis leaps over Arkansas safety Randy Kelly.

Danny Johnston/Associated Press

(5) USC quarterback John David Booty

Box:

(1) BY THE NUMBERS

(2) THEY SAID IT

(3) THE HERO

(4) THE GOAT

(5) STAT OF THE GAME

(6) USC (1-0) LOG