USC leads Arizona, 10-3, at halftime
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Stafon Johnson runs for a touchdown and has a 54-yard punt return to set up a field goal in key Pac-10 game at Tucson, Ariz.
Reporting from Tucson, Ariz. — USC tailback Stafon Johnson returned a punt to set up a field goal and also scored a touchdown as USC took a 10-3 halftime lead over Arizona in a Pacific 10 Conference showdown tonight at Arizona Stadium.
USC, No. 5 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, gave up its first points in 10 quarters but the Trojans held off the Wildcats for the seven-point lead at the break.
Johnson gained 42 yards in nine carries.
USC quarterback Mark Sanchez completed nine of 17 passes for 83 yards and had a pass intercepted.
Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama was 12 for 20 for 80 yards.
USC's defense, ranked second nationally, set the tone early by forcing Arizona to go three and out on the first possession and setting up Johnson's return.
Johnson allowed Keenyn Crier's kick to bounce before grabbing the ball, darting to his right and leaving five Arizona players in his wake.
Johnson cut back to his left toward the Arizona sideline and was not dragged down until he reached the Arizona 25 for a 54-yard return.
The Trojans needed every yard, because two passes by Sanchez fell incomplete and a run by C.J. Gable netted zero yards.
David Buehler's 43-yard field goal gave the Trojans a 3-0 lead with 12:29 left in the first quarter.
On USC's next possession, Wildcats cornerback Marquis Hundley intercepted a Sanchez pass intended for Patrick Turner at the USC 33, but Arizona failed to capitalize.
The Wildcats lost yardage on consecutive running plays and Everson Griffen sacked Tuitama for a nine-yard loss, forcing Arizona to punt.
USC blew an opportunity when right tackle Nick Howell was called for holding on a fourth-and-one play, nullifying a long run by fullback Stanley Havili.
That gave Arizona a chance to finally put together a drive.
Tuitama connected with receiver Mike Thomas four times as the Wildcats moved down the field from their 30. USC linebacker Brian Cushing was called for a facemask penalty, giving the Wildcats a first down at the 12.
But Arizona blew a chance for a touchdown when lineman James Tretheway was called for a personal foul after Keola Antolin's six-yard gain to the one-yard line.
The penalty pushed the Wildcats back to the 16 and they had to settle for Jason Bondzio's 30-yard field goal and a 3-3 tie early in the second quarter.
USC answered with a 17-play, 80-yard march, putting the ball in Johnson's hands seven times for 35 yards, most of which came off right tackle behind Butch Lewis.
Sanchez also completed third-down passes of 18 and 15 yards to Damian Williams during a drive that Johnson capped with a two-yard touchdown run for a 10-3 lead with 7:53 left in the first half.
Arizona drove from its 20 to the USC 31 in its final possession, but Bondzio's 48-yard field-goal attempt was wide left.
Klein is a Times staff writer.
gary.klein@latimes.com
