The Virginia crowd quiets as Hazelton score on a 62 yd TD.

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Los Angeles, (AP)

The Trojans opened the 2008-09 season with a bang against the Virginia Cavaliers in hot and humid Virginia. Trojans entered this season with question marks. Many wonder how long would the defense would have to carry this offense before they start clicking on all cylinder or would they at all? Will Mark Sanchez be able to handle the pressure as the next great USC QB? Who will emerge as the go to tailback in a crowded back field? Will the SC receivers finally live up to the hype? Well wonder no more as the Trojans met their 1st test of the season and passes with flying colors with a 80-10 drumming of the Virginia Cavaliers

The Trojans came out on fire scoring 35 unanswered points. Trojans sustained 3 long drives that totaled over 300yds of offense in the 1st half. Joe McKnight struck 1st with a 13yd run at the end of a 72yds drive 39 seconds into the 1st QTR. Cary Harris followed up with a int as he picked off Virginia QB P. Lalich and returned the int for 86yds for a TD. The int return marks a the longest return TD in SC history. Sanchez then went to work connecting with Anthony McCoy for a 16yds TD pass. The tight end for SC filled in nicely for Fred Davis now with the Washington Redskins. McCoy and Rhett Ellison combined for 6 rec and 65yds with 2 TDs. The backfield is still a committee at work with no clear cut favorite to be the star. But that might not be a big thing as it creates competition and those tail backs fight for everyone carry they get. The backfield combined for 152yds rushing and 5 TDs, highlighted by C.J. Gables 40yds TD run. Sanchez prove to be the high school All American that we all loved and knew out of Mission Viejo High School. He Completed 17-21 passes for 286yds, 4 TDs and 1 int. Vidal Hazelton came up 2 hugh plays of 60, and 62yds for TDs proving the WRs are ready to step up this year. Patrick Turner had himself a nice day also with 4 catches for 97yds. The Trojans defense was nothing but dominate. They allowed only 259yds of offense from the Cavs and held the two dynamic backs (Peerman & Simpson) from Virginia to 88yds on 34 carries. The defense also forced 3 fumbles and scored two TD off turnovers. With Virginia's only TD coming from a Joe McKnight fumble, the defense gave up only 3 pts from a FG.

Next Game

Trojans head back home to face the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes, in one of the most anticipated match up of the season. Winner of this one might be the front runner to the National Championship game.

Recruiting Notes

Trojans lands 5 star offensive lineman Kevin Graf out of CA. Consider to be one of the best lineman from this years prep class. Graf is a athletic 6'5" 301 pounds that is very mobile, resembling Jeff Byers. He is able to get out and pull from a offensive guard position and have great feet during pass protection.

5 star WR Patrick Hall(6 ft, 181 Ibs) committed to USC over the weekend. Hall caught 87 passes for 1243yds and 12 TD. Hall has 4.44 speed and run great routes. A fair comparison would be Steve Smith. If he has anywhere of a career like Smith did at SC, it would be a great treat for SC fans.