University Southern California Trojans
USC-Oregon State Preview
September 27, 2000 | Football
Sept. 27, 2000
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Southern California looks to extend its winning streak against Oregon State to 27 straight games when the teams open Pac-10 play Saturday at Reser Stadium.
The eighth-ranked Trojans (3-0) have already set a conference record by beating the Beavers 26 consecutive times. Oregon State hasn't earned a win in the series since a 3-0 victory in 1967.
USC has outscored Oregon State 991-268 during the streak, an average game score of 38-10. The Trojans lead the all-time series 53-7-4.
The Trojans struggled last week before rallying past San Jose State in the fourth quarter for a 34-24 win. The Trojans scored the final 22 points.
"Like we had to do against Penn State, this week we go on the road and face a hostile environment at Oregon State," Hackett said. "They're off to a fabulous start."
USC is led offensively by tailback Sultan McCullough and receiver Kareem Kelly. McCullough has 355 yards rushing, while Kelly leads all Trojans receivers with 19 catches for 266 yards. Fullback Petros Papadakis leads the team with four touchdowns.
"(The Trojans) have great athletes, probably as good as anyone in the country," said Oregon State coach Dennis Erickson, whose team routed visiting San Diego State 35-3 last Saturday. "Obviously, you don't do the things they have done and not be real good."
The Trojans are led defensively by Zeke Moreno and Markus Steele, both candidates for the Dick Butkus Award for being the nation's top linebacker.
Oregon State (3-0) actually trailed San Diego State 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, but scored 21 points in the second quarter and 14 points in the third before pulling its starters.
Oregon State's offense is led by running back Ken Simonton, who rushed 18 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns against the Aztecs. Simonton has seven touchdowns, tied for the most in the nation. His 475 rushing yards rank fifth in the country.
The Beavers' biggest strength this season has been their defense. Oregon State is allowing an average of 198.7 yards per game, third-best in the nation.
Oregon State is also ranked sixth overall in rushing defense at 57 yards per game and has the second-most interceptions in the country with seven.
"Their defense has some tremendous athletes and they are playing with confidence," Hackett said. "It's a huge challenge for us and it will be important in determining how we want to begin the conference."
DeLawrence Grant leads the Oregon State defense. The senior end had six tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles against San Diego State.
