No. 4 USC Shuts Down No. 17 Cal 23-9

Southern California wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, foreground, fails to make a catch against California's Syd'Quan Thompson in the first half of a college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (Jae C. Hong - AP)

LOS ANGELES -- Pete Carroll would love to lead his team in the national championship game for a third straight year. Right now, though, he's content on celebrating No. 4 Southern California's fifth consecutive Pac-10 championship.

"It's a statement of what we're all about, who we are, and it really makes you feel good," Carroll said after the Trojans rallied to beat No. 17 California 23-9 Saturday night to clinch a berth in the Rose Bowl.

John David Booty passed for 238 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the USC defense shut down California in the second half as the Trojans became the first team to win five straight Pac-10 football titles.

"I'm just proud of this moment. Just that thought is really strong in my heart about what we've done here," Carroll said. "I'm filled with that thought.

"We really had a lot of issues in this game. The second half, the defense shut 'em out, shut 'em down. The offense finds a way to make some timely plays. You work so hard to be good in these moments _ the guys did it."

USC also took another step toward a possible berth in the national title game in Arizona against No. 1 Ohio State, a 42-39 winner over No. 2 Michigan on Saturday.

"Wherever they put us, they put us," Carroll said. "We play a great schedule, that's all I know. I'll be the last guy to campaign for us."

The Trojans (9-1, 7-1 Pac-10) need to beat No. 6 Notre Dame and crosstown rival UCLA to have a shot at playing in the national title game, although Michigan's performance against Ohio State might have been enough to get the Wolverines in. Those teams have completed their seasons.

"We showed we can handle big-time situations," USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson said. "The Pac 10 title was on the line. There was a lot riding on this game, and you can't expect to blow out a good team like Cal."

The Golden Bears (8-3, 6-2) were shooting for their first Rose Bowl berth in 48 years, but with speedy DeSean Jackson and Pac-10 rushing leader Marshawn Lynch mostly held in check, they couldn't get the job done.

"I think they're hitting their stride," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said of the Trojans. "You have to play your best against them, there's no room for mistake. They didn't turn the football over and we did."

Cal led 9-6 before USC scored on three straight possessions to take command.