USC a cactus cooler

TUCSON — The defense was solid, if not invincible.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez was effective, if not entirely sharp.

And running back Stafon Johnson was well-rounded, and that as much as anything helped sixth-ranked USC survive perhaps its most important test of the season.

On a warm, clear Saturday evening in the desert, the Trojans outlasted Arizona, 17-10, and stayed in contention for a berth in the Bowl Championship Series title game.

USC entered the game No. 5 in the BCS standings, a position that is not likely to change with Texas, Alabama, Penn State and Oklahoma also winning on Saturday.

But the Trojans improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference with their fourth consecutive victory since a Sept. 25 upset loss at Oregon State.

"It feels good to get a gutty victory like this and to come through in the very end just in the nick of time," Sanchez said.

The victory was USC's first this season by fewer than 28 points.

"We needed a fight, and that's what it was," receiver Damian Williams said. "We needed to know what it felt like to win a close game."

Arizona came into the game with hopes of staying on course for a possible first appearance in the Rose Bowl.

The Wildcats had upset top-10 teams in each of the previous three seasons, defeating seventh-ranked UCLA in 2005, eighth-ranked California two years ago and second-ranked Oregon last season.

But the Trojans were too stubborn.

A defense that recorded consecutive shutouts against Arizona State and Washington State bent but did not break against an Arizona team that was averaging 40 points a game.

After blanking four opponents over 11 consecutive quarters, USC finally allowed a second-quarter field goal and third-quarter touchdown.

But the Trojans limited the Wildcats to a season-low 188 yards, sacked Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama three times and stopped the senior on a fourth-and-one sneak with 5:55 left to help secure victory.

"We knew what was coming, we just had to get down [low]," senior defensive end Kyle Moore said. "I believe this is a defensive team. If we keep playing great defense, teams won't beat us."

Said USC Coach Pete Carroll: "The defense is what gives you a chance to win every time."

Sanchez, who came into the game leading the conference in passing efficiency, had a pass intercepted during the first half and lost a fumble when he was sacked early in the second half.