Usc Scores Early And Often, Routs Cal 61-0 -- Trojans Unexpectedly Go To The Air Behind Qb Otton

LOS ANGELES - The California Golden Bears might have guessed that it was going to be a long Saturday afternoon when their kicker almost missed the ball on the opening kickoff.

Ryan Longwell slipped and squibbed the ball to the Southern Cal 37-yard line.

Things got worse in a hurry. Two minutes and 44 seconds later, the Trojans led 7-0. By halftime it was 35-0. The final was USC 61, Cal 0.

"It started with the opening kickoff," Golden Bears coach Keith Gilbertson said. "Our kicker falls down. Then we get a kick blocked and they run it back for a touchdown. Then a punt hits our guy in the back and we lost the ball that way. It was just one thing after another."

USC coach John Robinson said of the opening kickoff, "He just slipped," then joked, "I watered the grass there."

Brad Otton, making his second start, threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the first half to start the Trojans rolling.

USC (4-1 Pac-10, 5-2) stayed within a half-game of No. 14 Arizona in the Rose Bowl race. Arizona plays USC at the Coliseum on Nov. 12.

The 61 points were the most scored by the Trojans since a 66-10 victory over Utah State in 1989. The margin of defeat was the largest for Cal since a 66-0 loss to Alabama in 1973.

Otton, a sophomore starting in place of injured Rob Johnson, finished 15-of-20 for 196 yards.

USC set the tone immediately, taking the short opening kickoff and quickly driving to score on Otton's 7-yard pass to Terry Barnum.

The Golden Bears (3-4, 2-2) threatened later in the quarter, but Longwell's 42-yard field goal was blocked by Sammy Knight and Jerald Henry. Henry picked up the ball and ran 60 yards for a touchdown and the avalanche began.

"When we blocked the field goal and returned it for a touchdown, I think that probably set the tone for the entire game," Robinson said.

Barnum and Sean Walters scored twice each. Matt Koffler, who replaced Otton in the third quarter, also threw for two scores.