USC coach Pete Carroll said he favored the current running-back rotation.
“It worked out really well,” Carroll said. “Stafon (Johnson) ran really well inside. Getting Joe (McKnight) in space was really helpful. (Johnson’s) just a good player. The cut he makes (on his 22-yard touchdown) is a phenomenal cut. It was every bit as good as Reggie (Bush) made against Fresno State.”
“Joe played really well and was explosive on the perimeter. He had five or six really nice plays.”