Box Score

HONOLULU - A sold out crowd (50,000) and a national audience on ESPN2 watched two-time defending national champion USC (1-0) march through Hawai'i (0-1), 63-17, Saturday at Aloha Stadium. USC's Matt Leinart, 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters of action.

It was a tale of two quarterbacks for Hawai`i with Tyler Graunke getting the start, but both he and Colt Brennan in on the opening series. What looked like a promising opening drive was halted by a 65-yard interception return by Trojan safety Darnell Bing.

The Warriors answered with a 30-yard field goal by freshman Dan Kelly, but the Trojans scored the next 21 points to take a 28-3 lead in the third quarter. Warrior running back Bryan Maneafaiga caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Brennan to keep the Warrior hopes alive, but then USC turned up the heat with four straight touchdowns in the next 12 minutes to end any dreams of an upset.

USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett led the Trojans with three touchdowns on 7-for-88 receiving, while Steve Smith led all receivers with seven catches for 185 yards and a score. Tailback Reggie Bush rushed 12 times for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Leinart broke the USC school record for career touchdowns (73), surpassing Carson Palmer (72).

Brennan threw for 250 yards and a score on 21-of-32 passing, while Graunke completed 12-of-17 pass attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown. Graunke also led the Warriors in rushing with seven carries for 43 yards. Receiver Ross Dickerson caught five passes for a career-high 116 yards.

Cornerback Kenny Patton, still healing from arthroscopic knee surgery less than two weeks ago, led all Warriors with six tackles and got his second career interception.

Hawai`i will travel to East Lansing, Michigan t take on Michigan State in a non-conference road game Saturday, Sept. 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. The game will be aired live on ESPNU.

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