Trojans Get Another Look at Bryant : USC: He realized a childhood dream of scoring in the Coliseum, but for Washington in a 14-3 victory.

For the second consecutive week, a former Los Angeles area USC running back recruit came back to haunt the Trojans in leading his team to victory.

A week ago, Russell White of Crespi High in Encino had the best day of his career against USC, and Saturday, it was Beno Bryant’s turn.

Bryant, who attended Dorsey High, rushed for 158 yards and scored both touchdowns in Washington’s 14-3 victory over USC at the Coliseum.

It was a homecoming party for Bryant, who in 1988 had wanted to stay home.

“I wanted to go to USC, but they didn’t really want me,” said Bryant, who has gained 768 yards and scored seven touchdowns this season.

“At first they said they wanted me as a wide receiver, and then they said they wanted me as a running back. But then after that, they never came back.”

Bryant was prepared to sign with Oregon State when Washington offered him a scholarship two days before the signing date. It was a move Washington Coach Don James has not regretted.

“(Bryant) made some really big plays for us,” James said. “Both of his touchdown runs were big.”

Bryant did not take long to realize a childhood dream of running for a touchdown on the Coliseum turf. On his fourth carry, he dipped inside the defense and ran 55 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter.

On his last carry of the first half, Bryant scored again on a bruising, spinning seven-yard run to give the Huskies a 14-0 lead. He finished with 111 yards in 12 carries in the half, and it appeared White’s all-time USC opponent mark of 229 yards of a week ago was in jeopardy.

In the second half, the yards came tougher for Bryant, who gained only 47 in 14 carries. He was a marked man.

Still, several times in the final two quarters, Bryant gained key first downs on third-down plays. He didn’t have any long plays, but the yards he gained impressed the Trojans.

“He is a real good running back who has a lot of talent,” said USC linebacker Lamont Hollinquest, who had eight tackles. “He has shifty moves and runs hard.

“He is a better back than (White. In USC’s game) against Cal, White had big holes to run through and did not have to run hard, while Bryant made things happen without any holes.”

Bryant, a junior, appreciated the compliment, but his main goal was to impress James.

After arriving at Washington with the reputation as a speedy, fragile back three years ago, Bryant has slowly become the Huskies’ top runner.

As a redshirt freshman in 1989, he played primarily as a kickoff returner. Last season, he backed up Greg Lewis and led the Pacific 10 Conference in punt returns. This year, the starting tailback job was his if he could prove he was tough enough to handle it.

“The hard, tough yards were my best runs,” said Bryant, who won the State 400-meter title as a Dorsey senior. “I wanted to show James that I can get some tough yards in the clutch.”

It was a tough loss for the USC defense, which played well in limiting the high-scoring Huskies to two touchdowns. Throughout the Washington locker room after the game, nothing but praise was heard about the Trojan defense.

“Give USC credit. They played hard and made us work on offense,” James said. “I was nervous the entire game. There never was a time when I could relax.”