Here’s the grades from the Oregon State game:

RESULT: OREGON STATE 33, NO. 9 USC 31.
RECORD: 6-1, 4-1.
WEEK 7 GPA: 1.84.

QUARTERBACK

John David Bootys costly fumble, interception and tipped pass were offset by the fifth-best passing performance in USC history (406 yards). Overall, a mixed bag, just like most of the season.

C+

RUNNING BACKS

Whatever happened to the tailback rotation? Chauncey Washingtons two fumbles were not a complete aberration but they did wreak havoc on the Trojans momentum.

C-

WIDE RECEIVERS

Steve Smith was the hero with 11 receptions for 258 yards, just two short of the school record. But Dwayne Jarrett still needs to regain his All-American form and everyone else is window dressing.

B+

OFFENSIVE LINE

Penalties once again proved to be an issue on the road and the line was partially responsible for Bootys tipped pass on the two-point conversion to tie the game.

C

DEFENSIVE LINE

The four-man pass rush made a difference with Sedrick Ellis and Fili Moala finally getting sacks and keeping Oregon States running game under control most of the game

C+

LINEBACKERS

Rey Maualuga got benched in the first half but he was not exactly effective in the second and starter Oscar Lua probably deserved better after making five tackles in the first two quarters.

C+

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Quarterback Matt Moore did a great job finding the open spots in the defense and even when receivers were covered (Cary Harris defending Sammie Stroughter for example), Moore threw the ball perfectly.

C-

SPECIAL TEAMS

A punt return for a touchdown? Shocking. Stroughters 70-yard return broke the game open (30-10) and made the comeback much, much more difficult.

D+

COACHING

Its getting old hearing about not forcing turnovers every week. That might be easier to swallow if USC actually looked like it was improving on a weekly basis.

D