TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHBACKS

USC strikes first on a 79-yard drive that featured Mark Sanchez going 6 for 6 passing and a pair of 3rd-down conversions. The Irish defense looks decent, but as has been the case all season, they're not getting any pressure on the quarterback.

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USC kicker David Buehler, Buehler? has booted two kickoffs into the end zone (actually, the second sailed beyond it, and there's no wind) for touchbacks in the first quarter. That's one more touchback than the Irish kickoff team has had all season, and that one squibbed into the end zone.

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The TD was the first the Irish defense had allowed in the first quarter since the Purdue game on Sept. 27.

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Kyle McCarthy now has 100 tackles this season.

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2nd Quarter: The Irish just made their first 3rd-down stop, after consecutive USC screens to Joe McKnight lost 10 yards. Mark Sanchez has attempted 11 passes thus far, and all have been caught. Ten have been caught by Trojans, and the 11th by Irish DB Robert Blanton.

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7-0, after one, and the Irish have yet to get a first down. With that type of production, they cannot be that unhappy with the score. Charlie may have to get a little more creative in the passing game. Like Eastern Michigan-creative, where quarterback Andy Schmitt attempted 80 passes yesterday (completing an NCAA-record 58). But you know what? The 3-8 Eagles beat the 8-3 Chippewas. 

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Big cheer here as the scoreboard shows Oregon 30, Oregon State 10 in the 2nd quarter. Really? In Corvallis?