USC Trojans

Here's our quick reaction to USC's 24-14 win over Washington.

It was over when: USC defensive back Josh Shaw grabbed a tipped interception near midfield from Huskies QB Keith Price on fourth-and-8 with 4:20 left in the fourth quarter and the Trojans up 10. The Huskies dominated the second half, but their first-half deficit was just too much.

Gameball goes to: The USC defense. The Trojans were supposed to be all about the offense -- QB Matt Barkley and his scintillating corps of receivers. That hasn't proven true, but the defense has been better than expected. It forced four Washington turnovers, and that proved the difference in the game. It held the Huskies to 299 yards.

Stat of the game: Barkley was 10-of-20 for 167 yards with a touchdown. If you had told me during the preseason that would be his stat line for any game, I would have laughed at the delusion.

Unsung hero of the game: While the Trojans passing game was struggling, Penn State transfer Silas Redd rushed for 155 yards on 26 carries. Of course, much of that came on a 57-yard run on USC's first possession, which only led to a field goal.

What USC learned: It learned that the Trojans' passing game is oddly mediocre and it doesn't seem to be getting better. I have no idea why it's not better.

What Washington learned: It learned that it weathered a brutal first-half schedule with a 3-3 mark. That's not too bad, as it went 1-3 in games in which it was a significant underdog. Bowl hopes are firmly alive.

What it means: It means USC inches forward. It won't move up much in the national rankings with this performance, but it won't move down. With dates against Oregon and Notre Dame ahead, the Trojans still have a chance to get into the national title picture if it becomes a beauty contest with one-loss teams.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Notes from USC's news conference with coach Lane Kiffin, quarterback Matt Barkley and safety T.J. McDonald.

• Kiffin: "I think our conference is extremely competitive top to bottom ... there are no easy games ... and when you add four dynamic coaches, it really takes us to the next level."
• Kiffin calls the new football center "best in the country ... it's going to be a very special place for us."
• Kiffin on preseason No. 1: "That has nothing to do with how well we will play ... but I think that's exciting ... to be in conversation about preseason No. 1 two years after sanctions is exciting."
• Kiffin: "Our No. 1 concern is our running back position."
• Kiffin notes 16 USC players went to Haiti this summer to help the rebuilding projects.
• Kiffin couldn't comment on the reported interest in Penn State running back Silas Redd.
• Barkley cites "unfinished business" as reason for coming back.
• Kiffin said freshman Nelson Agholor will start off at running back.
• Barkley on keeping preseason hype in perspective "One game at a time. It may seem cliche ... the opportunity to play in any game is not going to win us any games, score us any points."
• Barkley on being out front with quarterbacks: "It won't be just me at all ... I think it's cool to see. There will be more competition."
• It's notable that USC safety T.J. McDonald and his brother Tevin McDonald are both at media day. They are the sons of former NFL All-Pro safety Tim McDonald.
• Kiffin: "There is no way you can compare what happened at USC compared to Penn State."
• Kiffin on wide receiver Robert Woods' ankle problem: "Hopefully he'll be at 100 percent in fall camp." Noted that Woods played through the injury last year while earning All-American honors.
• Barkley on decision to stay at USC instead of go to NFL: "I definitely went back and forth." Said he thought he'd go to the NFL after beating UCLA to end season.
• Kiffin refused to talk about how he'd handle the NCAA mandated 75 scholarship count if the Trojans added a Penn State transfer.
• Kiffin: "I didn't recruit Matt to stay ... Matt was completely ready for the NFL I assume he would have been a top-five pick ... it was about him wanting to do something special."
• Barkley: "I think the sanctions brought us together as a team in ways I didn't anticipate."