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Terrific Trojans Blast Buckeyes 35-3

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By JOHN NADEL

The Associated Press

Published: September 14, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Southern California turned the most anticipated September game in years into a mismatch.
Mark Sanchez threw four touchdown passes, Joe McKnight rushed for 105 yards on 12 carries, and the top-ranked Trojans crushed No. 5 Ohio State 35-3 Saturday night in a matchup of two of college football's most successful programs.
Ohio State played without star tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells, sidelined with an injured right foot. But moving the ball wasn't the Buckeyes' biggest problem before the Trojans made it a rout. Instead, they were done in by a handful of crucial mistakes.

A holding penalty nullified a touchdown in the second quarter, and an errant throw by Todd Boeckman was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Rey Maualuga.

By the time it was done the only question left was: Can anybody left on USC's schedule beat these Trojans (2-0) and keep them from playing for another national championship.
Ohio State (2-1), a decisive loser in the past two national championship games, will have an awfully difficult time making it back for a third.
Ohio State had the ball for more than 20 minutes in the first half and gained 177 yards to USC's 172, but left the field trailing 21-3. Sanchez threw two touchdown passes to Damian Williams in the third quarter to put the Buckeyes away.

Once they fell behind, the Buckeyes were helpless against the swarming Trojans. Ohio State gained only 35 yards in the second half.

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