A record crowd witnessed Trojan running back Allen Bradford put on a career-best performance as USC (6-1, 3-1) barely escaped defeat for a second week in a row, this time narrowly defeating Oregon State, 42-36, in front of 89,718 fans at the Coliseum on Saturday evening.

Bradford broke free for 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, and quarterback Matt Barkley tossed for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 15-of-25 passes, as Southern Cal’s offense was just enough to put the Beavers to rest.

“This was a different game than we hoped to have,” says USC head coach Pete Carroll. “We scrambled. We tried to slow them down. But, the thing that was so cool about this game was how the offense carried us.”

It was an offense that was actually out-performed by the Beavers, who had 482 total offensive yards, compared to 429 for USC. Yet, Bradford’s first-ever 100-yard rushing game was enough for the Trojans to control the clock and prevent Oregon State (4-3, 2-2) from putting on a game-winning drive.

USC led the entire game, at one point holding a 42-23 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. But a Barkley interception and two Oregon State touchdowns cut the Trojan lead to 42-36 with 3:45 remaining. However, USC stuck to its running game to milk out the clock and hold on for the victory.

Sean Canfield completed 30-of-43 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns for Oregon State, while Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 113 yards and scored one touchdown on 20 carries. For the Trojans, Ronald Johnson caught six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Curtis McNeal amassed 119 yards on kickoff returns.

The No. 5 Trojans head to Eugene to face the No. 10 Oregon Ducks (6-1, 4-0) Oct. 31. for a battle between the two top teams in the Pac-10.