Trojans Find Redemption While Bulldogs Get Bitten

While Southern California atoned for its upset loss, Saturday night's most glaring statement out west may have come from Fresno, Calif., where then-No. 22 Fresno State fell to Hawaii, 32-29.

Hawaii won its first road game over a ranked team in program history in overtime when place kicker Dan Kelly kicked his fourth field goal of the night. Fresno State committed six turnovers, and had to battle back from a 17-point deficit.

Despite clinging to a top 25 ranking for much of the season, Fresno State had established a pattern of becoming involved in tightly contested affairs. A close loss to then-No. 10 Wisconsin? Acceptable. An overtime win over Toledo? Worrisome. A five-point victory over an underachieving UCLA squad? Ominous, but not reason for panic.

But then Fresno State dropped a game to Hawaii, which entered the weekend with a 1-3 record, and all the mystique the Bulldogs had amassed wore off. Fresno State outgained Hawaii in total yards, 522-342, but made enough mistakes to allow yet another opponent to hang close.

Meanwhile, USC made sure to put Oregon away and make it clear the Trojans remain the Pacific-10's top dog. In its previous outing, USC fell at Oregon State and opened itself up to questions regarding the legitimacy of its elite team status. Then quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for three touchdowns and put a few concerns to rest.