COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DAILY REPORT : USC : Tough Sledding Ahead for Rushing

USC is no longer last in the Pacific 10 in rushing. After a season-high 188 yards during a 31-21 victory over Washington State last Saturday, the Trojans are eighth, ahead of UCLA and Stanford.

But USC, averaging only 127.2 yards on the ground, still has games to play against Arizona State, Stanford, Arizona, UCLA and Notre Dame, all of which rank among the nation’s top 15 in rushing defense or total defense.

Washington State, despite its loss to USC, still would reach the Rose Bowl if it won its last four games. Washington and Stanford are the only other Pac-10 teams in the same position. . . . Arizona State, which will face USC on Saturday at Tempe, Ariz., is 6-4 against the Trojans, the only Pac-10 team with a series advantage over USC. . . . Arizona State’s Grady Benton and USC’s Rob Johnson are 1-2 in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency. . . . Arizona State, averaging 93.3 yards in penalties, is the most penalized team in the Pac-10.