Trojans sense an opportunity with Arizona State

It’s no secret that Arizona State has struggled to protect the quarterback.

A porous offensive line gave up 55 sacks last season, worst in the Pacific 10 Conference, and this fall has been only a little better with 12 in the first five games.

With the Sun Devils visiting the Coliseum on Saturday, the USC pass rushers sense an opportunity.

Defensive end Kyle Moore has studied videotape of last season’s matchup in Tempe, Ariz., where his predecessor, Lawrence Jackson, had four of the Trojans’ six sacks.

“Hopefully I can run some of the same moves,” Moore said. “Get a few sacks too.”

The Sun Devils rank as the worst rushing team in the Pac-10, averaging of 85.4 yards. They have lost three straight games and might have to play without starting quarterback Rudy Carpenter, hobbled by an ankle injury.

The Trojans, meanwhile, are averaging three sacks a game.

The lopsided numbers make USC defensive tackle Fili Moala wax psychological.

“It’s not like they have any slouches on their offensive line,” he said of Arizona State. “I think it’s just a matter of the morale of the team. Any team, if you continue to lose, you’re always going to be down a little bit and people might get you.”

But Clay Matthews, playing at the other end, warned that the path to the quarterback starts with hard work.

“Obviously we have to stop the run, make them throw the ball,” Matthews said. “Then we can get after it.”

david.wharton@latimes.com