CBS SportsLine wire reports
Oct. 24, 1998

EUGENE, Ore. -- After missing a handoff and fumbling on the very first series against Southern California, Oregon quarterback Akili Smith eventually made up for his mistake by taking the ball 62 yards to the end zone by himself.

The 6-foot-3 senior,

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helped by a double-team block of USC linebacker Chris Claiborne, led the 12th-ranked Ducks a 17-13 victory Saturday.

"I wasn't even thinking about it," Smith said of scoring. ``It was basically an option play. I think we needed two yards for the first down. I was just trying to lean forward and make a play. The next thing you know, I saw nothing but turf."

The touchdown at 10:43 of the fourth quarter made it 17-10 and swung the momentum to Oregon (6-1, 3-1 Pac-10) for good after a tough defensive battle that shut down the Ducks' running game the first half.

"We expected the play but we didn't execute," USC coach Paul Hackett said. "He's an underrated option runner."

THE TROJANS (5-3, 3-2) ADDED THREE POINTS on a 25-yard field goal by Adam Abrams, who missed three of five attempts, including a 28-yard chip shot early in the first quarter after USC recovered Smith's fumble.

Oregon kicker Nathan Villegas, however, set school records for consecutive field goals and extra points after kicking his 12th field goal of the season, a 23-yarder, to open the scoring in the second quarter. Villegas is 38-of-38 for extra points.

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who had worried about the USC defense before the game, watched his own defense stack up the Trojans at the 6-yard line after Smith's fumble, forcing the field goal attempt by Abrams.

Oregon also held USC receiver R. Jay Soward to just nine yards and three receptions without scoring. Soward had averaged 70.3 yards a game and led the Trojans in scoring with nine TDs. His career average was a touchdown every 5.8 times he had the ball.

"Awesome," was Bellotti's one-word description of his defense.

ALTHOUGH HE SAID THERE WOULD be no change in approach to offense after losing star tailback Reuben Droughns to a broken leg last weekend in a 41-38 overtime loss to UCLA, Bellotti relied heavily on Smith's passing Saturday.

The Ducks' other touchdown came on a 55-yard pass from Smith to Tony Hartley with 10:24 to play in the third quarter to tie the game 10-10.

Junior tailback Derien Latimer was held to just eight yards rushing in the first half, but finished with 87 yards on 24 carries. He also caught two passes for 37 yards.

Smith finished 15-of-28 for 231 yards with one interception. The Ducks finished with 163 yards rushing after being held to minus seven yards in the first half.

The Trojans traded off between starter Mike Van Raaphorst and backup quarterback Carson Palmer, who combined for 295 yards passing. Their only touchdown was a 70-yard pass play from Van Raaphorst to tailback Chad Morton at 12:41 in the second quarter.

Morton finished with 104 yards rushing on 20 carries, and caught three passes for 79 yards.