No. 12 USC Outlasts Arizona State 14-9

USC quarterback Matt Barkley (7) hands off to running back Allen Bradford (21) against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP)

Will Harris returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown, Matt Barkley threw a 75-yard pass to Damian Williams for another score, and No. 12 USC held on for a shaky 14-9 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night.

Coming off the worst loss in the Pete Carroll era, the Trojans (7-2, 4-2 Pac-10) barely survived on a night they produced little on offense. The victory kept the Trojans in the hunt for an eighth straight Bowl Championship Series berth.

"We got a good win on the road," a relieved Carroll said. "I'm really proud of the way we played tonight. We played really hard."

With USC's offense sputtering behind Barkley, the Trojans defense forced four turnovers as USC defeated ASU (4-5, 2-4) for the 10th straight time. The last one — an interception by Harris in the end zone — sealed the victory.

Sun Devils freshman Brock Osweiler came off the bench and threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Chris McGaha. But he also had his last-gasp pass intercepted.

Perhaps still reeling from last week's 47-20 wipeout against Oregon, the Trojans seemed to be in a fog early on.

On the opening possession, they let the punchless Sun Devils march to the USC 13-yard line before freshman tailback Cameron Marshall fumbled on a hit by Christian Tupou. USC cornerback Josh Pinkard recovered.

The Trojans picked up three first downs on the ensuing possession, then managed one first down the rest of the half.

ASU threatened again late in the second quarter but had to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Thomas Weber.

At halftime, USC had almost as many penalty yards (73) as total yards (76). The Trojans finished with 9 penalties for 98 yards.

But the Trojans led 7-3 because Harris picked off a Danny Sullivan pass along the left sideline and romped 55 yards for a touchdown.

"To throw the pick six is ... ridiculous," ASU coach Dennis Erickson said.