 "Photo: Michael Sugarman | Daily Trojan")
After giving up nearly 400 yards passing the previous week, USC knew it would have its hands full against Washington State, which had the Pac-10's second-most potent passing attack entering Saturday's game.
But the Trojan defensive backs rose to the occasion, holding Cougars quarterback Alex Brink to a season-low 165 yards passing in USC's 47-14 win at the Coliseum.
Brink was replaced by backup quarterback Gary Rogers in the beginning of the fourth quarter of the blowout.
"I think this is the best we've played them in the years we've had a chance to go against them," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We've had a lot of hard times against these guys in years past."
After the Trojans allowed Brink to connect with wide receiver Brandon Gibson for a 44-yard pass on the opening series, the secondary clamped down. Gibson and Michael Bumpus, who entered the game as the Pac-10's top pass-catching tandem, were held to three catches each.
"On that first series we had, we weren't ready to make plays," said linebacker Keith Rivers, who recorded a team-high 14 tackles. "Once we got a hold of what they were doing, it was nothing we hadn't already seen in practice."
USC had to adjust to Washington State's spread offense, which put four or five wide receivers on the field for most of the day. The Trojans' plan of attack had to be altered when cornerback Cary Harris dislocated his right shoulder on Washington State's first drive of the game.
Harris' absence didn't cost USC much, however, as Shareece Wright and Mozique McCurtis were prepared to fill in for him.
"It limited us a little bit in pursuing our game plan, but the coaches came up with good adjustments at halftime," said cornerback Terrell Thomas of his teammate's injury.
Harris' timetable for returning from the injury was not immediately known. He returned to the sidelines in street clothes in the third quarter.
Carroll was pleased with how his team kept the Cougars' aerial attack in check for most of the game.
"We wanted to stop them through our coverage," Carroll said. "We were able to hold them through that and allow our rush to come alive."
With USC's defensive backs staying close with Washington State's receivers, the Trojans executed the second part of Carroll's game plan by applying constant pressure on Brink. Defensive end Lawrence Jackson recorded two sacks in the game.
Even when the Trojans didn't sack Brink, they were able to fluster him by disrupting his timing. On one second-quarter play, Brink was about to be dragged down for a sack when he threw the ball right into the hands of defensive end Kyle Moore.
"When the defensive ends come as hard as they do, it speeds up the game and you have to make quick decisions and get the ball out quick," Brink said. "Most of the game we did that, but one mistake can really cost you."
USC's pressure was not limited to attacking the quarterback. Part of the Trojans' game plan was to identify who the quarterback was throwing to as early as possible and then jar the ball loose.
"In that offense, the receivers are going to get their catches," Rivers said. "But once they did, we wanted to get to the ball and tee off on them."
The Trojans were not fully satisfied with their defensive effort, however. USC dropped several errant Cougars passes that could have been interceptions.
USC finished with one interception on the night, while Washington State recorded two.
Brink was able to find success in small doses on both of his touchdown drives.
But save for those two drives, USC's defense made its presence known.
"Their defense is fast and physical, and we didn't make enough plays," said Washington State tight end Jed Collins, who tied for the team lead in receptions on Saturday. "Against a defense like that, you have to work really hard to make positive yards."
