TROJANS ON THE RUN USC RUSHES FOR 4 TDS TO TAKE LEAD OVER DUCKS.

Byline: PAUL OBERJUERGE Staff Writer

USC could be back in control of its destiny.

Chauncey Washington ran for three touchdowns, and the USC defense bent but didn't break as the Trojans took a 35-10 lead over Oregon in the fourth quarter at the Coliseum on Saturday night.

If USC could hold on to any part of its 25-point edge, it stood a good chance of being able to play its way into the Bowl Championship Series title game. A concept that seemed unlikely only two weeks ago, when the Trojans lost at Oregon State.

But USC is getting some help. As well as helping itself.

The Trojans were primed to make a big move in the BCS rankings thanks to defeats suffered by three teams ahead of them in last week's rankings No. 3 Louisville to Rutgers, No. 4 Texas to Kansas State and No. 5 Auburn to Georgia.

The Trojans figured to move from No. 7 to No. 4, behind Ohio State, Michigan and Florida, and the Buckeyes and Wolverines play each other next Saturday.

But USC's return to the national-title picture is contingent on them winning out, and Oregon showed no signs early of going quietly on the cool Saturday night.

Oregon's blizzard of formations kept the Trojans on their heels much of the first half. Oregon ran 17 plays on its first drive, dinking and dunking their way down the field. The Ducks looked destined to score. Right up until linebacker Oscar Lua made consecutive stops on third and fourth downs at the 13.

USC's own long drive ended with a John David Booty interception, but USC finally forced the Ducks to punt, and then took the lead.

The Trojans went 80 yards in 12 plays, with third-string tailback C.J. Gable (Sylmar High) getting into the end zone on a 2-yard bolt with 12:22 left in the half.

USC was back for more a moment later.

Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon didn't see Trojans safety Taylor Mays on a pass over the middle, and Mays made a leaping interception at the 41 and returned the ball 34 yards to the Ducks 7.

Two plays later, Washington rumbled in from the 5, and it was 14-0 with 10:30 left in the half.

Oregon appeared poised to cut the lead in half just before intermission, but a penalty backed up the Ducks from the 2, and a third-down pass from Dixon took Jeremiah Johnson just out of the back of the end zone.

The Ducks went for the field goal, but Paul Martinez shanked a 23-yarder, and USC was up by two touchdowns at halftime.

Before the teams came out for the second half, the Texas and Auburn scores were posted on the Coliseum scoreboard, prompting a huge cheer from the capacity crowd.

Oregon finally scored, on a third-quarter field goal, but Washington answered with a 3-yard blast with 5:04 left in the third, and added a 44-yard scoring run four minutes later, and USC was back in control.

Even with a victory over Oregon, the Trojans were anything but a sure thing to win out, considering No. 8-ranked Cal is up next, followed by No. 9 Notre Dame and a visit to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) USC's Taylor Mays makes an interception during the second quarter of Saturday's game against Oregon.

(2 -- color) USC's Chauncey Washington heads for the end zone for a touchdown against Oregon in the third quarter.

(3) USC's Dwayne Jarrett gives Oregon defender Patrick Chung a stiff arm to the face during a long run after a reception.

(4) USC coach Pete Carrol yells to his defense during Saturday's game.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer