LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Carson Palmer threw for 289 yards and two touchdown passes and Sultan McCullough ran for a career-high 176 yards and the go-ahead score Saturday as No. 24 USC rallied for a 30-28 victory over the Pac-10 rival California Golden Bears.
California (4-3, 1-2 Pac-10), which upset then-No. 12 Washington on the road last week, opened a 21-3 lead on a 15-yard pass from Kyle Boller to Jonathan Makonnen 3:20 into the second quarter.
But Palmer countered with a five-yard touchdown toss to Kareem Kelly and an 21-yard strike to Mike Williams to bring the Trojans (4-2, 2-1) within four points at halftime.
McCullough gave USC its first lead, 24-21, on a two-yard run with 8:38 to play in the third quarter.
With the score 27-21 and 3 1/2 minutes remaining, the Trojans lost a fumble at the Bears' 19 yard line. But on the next play, safety Jason Leach -- a replacement for injured All-America Troy Polamala -- intercepted Boller near midfield and Ryan Killeen gave the Trojans a two-score lead on an 18-yard field goal with 1:41 remaining.
The Bears climbed within 30-28 on a six-yard pass from Boller to Tom Swoboda with 35 seconds left, but the Trojans recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.
California, which had won its last three meetings with USC in Los Angeles, has lost their last two encounters after winning the previous five.
