LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Joe McKnight rushed for two touchdowns and 145 yards Saturday to lead fourth-ranked Southern California to a 56-3 win over San Jose State.
Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley completed 15-of-19 passes for 233 yards and a TD for the Trojans, who finished last year 11-1 and beat Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Stafon Johnson also scored two touchdowns and Marc Tyler and Allen Bradford each added a touchdown.
Damian Williams caught three passes for 67 yards for Southern Cal, which has won its last 12 season openers.
Barkley became the first true freshman in USC history to start a season at quarterback.
Patrick Perry carried the ball 14 times for 48 yards for the Spartans. Kyle Reed connected on 9-of-17 passes for 66 yards.
San Jose State scored the only points of the first quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Tyler Cope.
