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This Date in College Football Belt History – September 24
DwThe top-ranked, 2-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach Pete Carroll traveled to Eugene to meet the 24th ranked, 3-0 Oregon Ducks of coach Mike Bellotti in the Pac 10 opener for both teams. After a slow start in which the Ducks jumped to a 13-0 lead, Southern Cal erupted for 35 points in the 2nd half while the Trojans’ defense held Oregon to just 65 yards rushing in a 45-13 Southern Cal win to retain The Belt in their 16th consecutive successful defense. Oregon opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal from PK Paul Martinez. The Ducks added to the lead with a 5-play, 62-yard drive culminating in a 36-yard touchdown pass from QB Kellen Clemens to WR Demetrius Williams. Martinez connected on a 48-yard field goal as the Oregon crowd started to sense an upset of the champions; Southern Cal had other thoughts. Once the Trojans’ offense started clicking, the game turned quickly. Southern Cal’s All-Pac 10 QB Matt Leinart connected with Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Reggie Bush on a 19-yard touchdown pass & PK Mario Danelo added a 36-yard field goal as the teams went to halftime with Oregon leading 13-10 but momentum clearly on the side of Southern Cal. The Trojans opened the 2nd half with a 5-play, 76-yard drive in just 1:46 with Leinart hitting All-American WR Dwayne Jarrett for the 11-yard touchdown pass. Southern Cal’s RB LenDale White finished a 61-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run & Leinart connected again with Jarrett on a 6-yard touchdown pass to finish a 64-yard drive as the 3rd quarter ended with the Trojans holding a 31-13 advantage. A 5-play, 84-yard drive was capped with an 11-yard touchdown run by Bush & White finished the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter. The Trojans’ five touchdown drives in the 2nd half averaged 64 yards, 7 plays, & less than 3 minutes. Leinart finished with 315 yards passing to go with his 3 touchdowns, Bush added 122 yards rushing to his 2 scores, & White rushed for 111 yards with his 2 touchdowns. Clemens finished with 168 yards passing with a touchdown but was sacked twice for the Ducks. Southern Cal finished the season 12-1; Pac 10 Champions & ranked 2nd nationally while the Ducks finished 10-2 & ranked 13th nationally. Oregon has not played for The Belt again.
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