Mark Saxon pinpoints the Oregon State loss as an important game for a rise in Booty.

One of USC’s brightest moments came in its darkest hour.

Booty threw for 406 yards and 3 TDs. His only enemy — the clock.

“That invincibility, when you sense that, is a great trait in big-time athletes and performers,” Carroll said. “He did feel that for a while. I think it’s just added to him and carried over. He’s in a really good place.”

This week, John David Booty will be matched up against another top-rated Pac-10 passer in Nate Longshore. Gotta give the edge to Booty though. Better TD-to-INT ratio. Better completion percentage. And Cal’s defense is decidedly weaker than USC’s.

Booty blossoms [OC Register]