Washington 20, No. 3 USC 26

For the second straight week USC faced a team from the state of Washington. And for the second straight week, the Trojans’ victory wasn't assured until the final whistle.

Washington drove the ball to the USC 15-yard line with two seconds left, but they couldn’t get off a final play, as the Trojans held on for the win and remained undefeated. Last week, USC needed an interception on the final play of the game to fend off Washington State 28-22.

The Huskies (4-2, 2-1) have looked like a much improved squad after struggling to just three wins over the last two seasons. Quarterback Isaiah Stanback led the Washington offense, throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions against the vaunted USC defense.

His counterpart, USC quarterback John David Booty, also had a fine game under center. The junior signal-caller passed for 243 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The Trojans took an early 7-0 lead, scoring on a beautifully executed fake field goal late in the first quarter. Backup quarterback and holder Michael McDonald took the snap, ostensibly to set up for a 37-yard field goal try. But instead McDonald rolled out and found a wide-open Steve Smith for a score.

USC (5-0, 3-0) was forced to play without star receiver Dwayne Jarrett for the second straight week. He is expected to return for next week's meeting with Oregon State.

No. 11 Oregon 24, No. 16 California 45

DeSean Jackson continued his explosive start to the 2006 campaign, scoring two more touchdowns in Cal's blowout win over Oregon. He tallied his ninth touchdown of the season on a first-quarter pass from quarterback Nate Longshore and added number ten later in the half on a punt return.

The win elevated the Bears to a first place tie with USC in the Pac-10 Conference. The Trojans visit Berkeley Nov. 18.

Longshore had another solid game, throwing for 189 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

The Bears (5-1, 3-0) played a majority of the game without tailback Marshawn Lynch, who resprained his ankle in the second quarter. Backup Justin Forsett carried the load, rushing for 163 yards on 27 carries with a score.

Oregon’s usually potent rushing offense, was stymied by the Bears’ front line. Quarterback Dennis Dixon and tailback Jonathan Stewart combined for just 70 yards on 29 carries.

The Ducks (4-1, 2-1) try to rebound against UCLA in Eugene this weekend.

Arizona 7, UCLA 27

In a battle of backup quarterbacks, UCLA’s Patrick Cowan outdueled Arizona’s Adam Austin. He was forced to replace usual starter Ben Olson after he suffered a knee injury in the first quarter, while Austin replaced Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama after he was knocked out with his second concussion of the season.

Cowan looked like he could be a Pac-10 starter, going 20-for-29 with 203 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Cowan was forced to carry the offensive load as the Bruins could muster only 65 yards on the ground. a 15-yard touchdown strike to Matt Willis with 7:25 left in the second quarter put the Bruins up for good.

Austin, who will make the start for Arizona (2-4, 0-3) this weekend against Stanford, also held his own, passing for 191 yards and a score.

The Bruins (4-1, 2-1) have arguably the most difficult stretch of their season over the next two weeks and will have to go without Olson, who will miss four to six weeks with a sprained knee. UCLA faces Oregon next week on the road, before heading to No. 9 Notre Dame.

Washington State 13, Oregon State 6

Alex Brink carried Washington State with 270 yards and a touchdown, as the Cougars earned their first win in Corvallis in ten years.

Last year against the Beavers, Brink threw for a school-record 531 yards, but Oregon State came out victorious. This time around, Brink didn't put up record numbers, but helped his team to a win.

Brink’s favorite target was Jason Hill, who recently became Washington State's all-time leading receiver, hauling in five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Hill now has 2,504 career receiving yards, passing Hugh Campbell who racked up 2,452 from 1960-62.

Oregon State’s only points came on a pair of Alex Serna field goals from 42 and 41 yards, in the closing moments of each half. The Beavers struggled offensively all game, rushing for just 64 yards.

Washington State (4-2, 2-1) hosts two of the Pac-10’s elite teams, Oregon and Cal, in the next two weeks. The Beavers (2-3, 0-2) hit the road for the first time in the conference season, facing Washington in Seattle.