TEMPE, Ariz. - Matt Leinart is no longer just the guy trying to replace Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer.
Leinart shook off a leg injury to rally Southern California 37-17 over Arizona State on Saturday. "I was really proud of Matt Leinart," coach Pete Carroll said. "I thought that was a fantastic effort to come back."
Carroll might have found his next dominant tailback, too. LenDale White, a freshman with 17 carries coming in, ran for 140 yards and two TDs on 21 attempts.
Southern Cal held the Sun Devils to 61 yards rushing and stopped Andrew Walter (19-of-38 for 305 yards) when it counted.
Leinart, who missed most of the second quarter, finished 13-of-23 for 289 yards, with TD strikes of 57 yards to Keary Colbert and 33 yards to Brandon Hancock.
WASHINGTON ST. 30, ARIZONA 7: Matt Kegel threw two touchdowns and Jason David scored on an interception return for the host Cougars. Washington State dominated in Arizona's first game since coach John Mackovic was fired. Mike Hankwitz is interim coach.
Washington State held Arizona to 65 yards rushing, and the Wildcats were 0-for-13 in third-down conversions. Kegel completed 18-of-32 for 315 yards, including an 84-yard TD to Devard Darling. Arizona did not score until the third, when Nic Costa connected with Matt Padron on a 5-yard TD.
UCLA 46, WASHINGTON 16: Rodney Leisle returned from a first-half suspension to score on a fumble recovery and intercept a pass for the host Bruins. The tackle was suspended for punching a San Diego State player in the stomach last week.
Manuel White, who had 19 carries for 83 yards, put the Bruins ahead with a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Bruins quarterback Drew Olson was 16-for-24 for 258 yards and had a 1-yard TD run. The Huskies had outscored opponents 79-20 in the second half and 27-0 in the fourth quarter. But UCLA outscored them 39-0 in the second half and 24-0 in the fourth.
OREGON ST. 35, CAL 21: Steven Jackson rushed for 227 yards on 35 carries and scored three TDs for the visiting Beavers, who defeated the Bears a fifth straight time. Derek Anderson, who has struggled on the road, completed 18-of-27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns as Oregon State controlled the clock to win its fourth in a row. Cal had not allowed a 200-yard rushing game since Jackson went for 239 against last season.
