Sputter step for USC

After going through three scrimmages at the Coliseum during training camp, USC’s season opener against undermanned Idaho appeared as if it would be nothing more than a glamorized version of the same.

Top-ranked USC was a six-touchdown favorite in a game that most regarded as a formality to start its drive to the Bowl Championship Series title game.

USC jumped out to a 21-0 lead, stalled for most of the second quarter, sputtered for part of the third and emerged with a 38-10 victory on Saturday night in front of 90,917.

The Trojans, extending their home winning streak to 34 games, rushed for 214 yards and held Idaho to 98.

Coach Pete Carroll was happy with the victory, but recognized his team could have done more.

“We could do anything we needed to,” Carroll said, “but as is always the case, you get in your own way.”

On a day when Appalachian State upset No. 5 Michigan, 34-32, in the Big House at Ann Arbor, Mich., the Trojans were never threatened in a stadium where they have not lost since 2001.

But USC also was never really dominant, at least not in the way that most preseason prognosticators had declared.

Senior quarterback John David Booty began his Heisman Trophy campaign by passing for three short touchdowns, but he also had a pass intercepted and missed a chance for another touchdown when he threw behind split end David Ausberry on a fourth-and-goal play in the third quarter.

“I felt like I really could have played better,” said Booty, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 206 yards. “I didn’t make a couple of throws I feel like I usually can make in my sleep.”

It didn’t help that junior Patrick Turner, the Trojans’ most experienced receiver, was held out as a precaution after he suffered a neck injury during practice early in the week.

Turner and cornerback Josh Pinkard, who sat out because of knee soreness, are expected to be back for the Trojans’ Sept. 15 game at Nebraska.

Linebacker Brian Cushing’s status, however, is less certain.

Cushing sprained his ankle early in the first quarter and did not return.

Stafon Johnson, who had only three carries last season, rushed for 64 yards in 12 carries. The former Dorsey High star scored on runs of four yards and one yard.

“It means a lot coming through different struggles and different kinds of hard times,” Johnson said. “It’s a good feeling to know the hard work is paying off.”

Sophomore C.J Gable ran for 68 yards in eight carries and caught his first career touchdown pass.

Freshman fullback Stanley Havili and sophomore receiver Vidal Hazelton also caught touchdown passes from Booty.

USC jumped to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter and looked as if it was on its way to a blowout.

USC stopped Idaho at the Vandals’ 44 on the first possession, then put together three consecutive scoring drives.

On the Trojans’ first play, Gable took a handoff, ran around left end, then cut back for a 33-yard gain. Booty threw two short passes to Johnson and Havili as USC marched to the Vandals four-yard line, where Johnson ran in for his first career touchdown.

Idaho could not penetrate past its 40 on the next possession, but the drive proved costly to the Trojans when Cushing hopped off the field.

Starting again at their 20, the Trojans moved downfield keyed by a 16-yard run by Johnson and a 35-yard strike from Booty to tight end Fred Davis. Three plays later, Gable caught a pass in the left flat, spun to elude linebacker David Vobora and then bulled into the end zone for a 14-0 lead with 2:15 left in the first quarter.

USC got the ball back early in the second quarter and drove 46 yards to the Idaho one. On second and goal, Booty took the snap, stepped back and lofted a pass toward the right corner of the end zone. Hazelton leaped and made a one-handed catch as he fell to his back for a 21-0 lead.

USC’s offense then went into a funk. Idaho safety Shiloh Keo intercepted a third-down pass from Booty to Hazelton with 8:16 left in the second quarter.

The Vandals went three and out on the next possession, but USC did the same.

“We gave up some things we didn’t want to give up, but we feel pretty good,” said USC defensive end Laurence Jackson. “It’s something to build on, a step in the right direction.”

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gary.klein@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

Gary Klein’s keys to the game and how USC measured up:

1. Protect the quarterback: USC kept John David Booty out of harm’s way and allowed the fifth-year senior to complete 21 of 32 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle was under pressure at times and fumbled once.

2. Establish the run: Sophomores Stafon Johnson and C.J. Gable ran strong at times and freshman Joe McKnight showed some flash on a nifty cutback run. Johnson rushed for two touchdowns.

3. Send a message: The Trojans defense could not repeat the feat of the 2003 team that registered a shutout in its opener, but the first unit allowed only a late first-half field goal.