USC TOPS TEXAS IN OVERTIME THRILLER

Deep into the fourth quarter, Southern California and Texas played a defense-dominated, turnoverplagued game that had none of the poetry or flair of these powerhouse programs’ last meeting in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

Then the offenses finally found their stride. Texas’ freshman quarterback led a gutsy 91-yard touchdown march in the final minutes of regulation. USC answered with a drive to force overtime.

By the time walk-on Chase McGrath hit a walk-off field goal, this famed matchup definitely had its mojo back.

Sam Darnold passed for 397 yards and three touchdowns, and USC’s freshman kicker hit a 43-yard field goal to end the No. 4 Trojans’ thrilling 27-24 victory over the Longhorns late Saturday night.

Vince Young and Matt Leinart were the quarterbacks for Texas’ 41-38 victory in that famous Rose Bowl matchup 12 seasons ago, and they watched every twist in this sequel from the Coliseum stands.

San Diego State upsets Stanford.

DIEGO» Christian Chapman threw an SAN

8-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Wells with 54 seconds left, capping a wild ending sparked by a darkness delay in San Diego State’s 20-17 victory over No. 19 Stanford late Saturday night.

Pettis ties NCAA punt return record.

Dante Pettis had four total touchdowns including an NCAA recordtying eighth punt return touchdown of his career, and No. 6 Washington routed Fresno State 48-16 late Saturday night. Pettis had touchdown receptions of 4 and 7 yards in the first half and a 73-yard TD pass from Jake Browning on the second play of the second half.

Footnote.

Clemson moved to No. 2 in The Associated Press poll, jumping over Oklahoma.