Another USC freshman stands out

Scott Wolf

USC quarterback Matt Barkley was not the only Trojans' true freshman with an impressive debut.

Linebacker Jarvis Jones finished with five tackles, including one for a loss, in his first game at strongside linebacker.

"Jarvis Jones showed up and was great for us today," USC coach Pete Carroll said.

Jones said he felt comfortable from the outset, although he was initially surprised the Trojans were losing 3-0after the first quarter.

"But I knew we'd come back eventually," Jones said.

Jones, who is from Columbus, Ga., said he was not sure what to expect from his first game in front of a large Coliseum crowd. Many fans expected him to go to Florida, because he grew up a Gators fan.

"It was a lot of fun today," he said. "I wanted to go some place far from home and it surprised some people, but I think I made the right decision."

Next up for Jones is a trip to Columbus, as USC travels to Ohio State next weekend. "The way we've played against San Jose State, we'll have a good chance," he said.

Quote of the day

San Jose State coach Dick Tomey on the Spartans' 3-0 lead: "For a while, it looked like we could compete. Obviously, it was an illusion."

Injury report

USC tailback Curtis McNeal bruised his shoulder, which he originally injured in training camp. Wide receiver Robbie Boyer, the cousin of quarterback Matt Barkley, broke a bone in his left hand.

Scott reaction

Pacific-10 commissioner Larry Scott attended the game, two days after he was at the Oregon-Boise State game where Ducks tailback LeGarrette Blount punched Boise State defensive end Byron Hout.

Scott said he did not want to watch the USC game from the field after being down on the sideline during the Blount incident.

He also said he called Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson because Hout was not punished by Boise State.

"It takes two to tango," Scott said. "I called the commissioner of the WAC and asked him to look into it at a conference angle. I told him I'd expect him to act."

How soon they forget

During the game, the Coliseum videoboard showed a clip of former linebacker Rey Maualuga returning an interception for a touchdown against Ohio State last year.

Except Maualuga's first name was spelled, "Ray."