Receivers Strike Early and Often

Keary Colbert stood alone in the end zone, swayed to the music of USC’s marching band and soaked in the atmosphere after the Trojans dominated UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

Colbert, USC’s junior flanker, said he wanted to savor the moment after providing the Trojans with several electrifying ones of his own in a 52-21 rout of the Bruins.

“The game goes by so fast, you don’t have time to appreciate it when it’s happening,” Colbert said. “This is the time to enjoy it.”

Colbert scored on a 51-yard pass play in the first quarter and a 34-yard reverse in the third quarter to lead another mostly outstanding performance by the Trojan receiving corps.

Senior wide receiver Kareem Kelly caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer 16 seconds into the game and also had a 41-yard reception that set up Colbert’s scoring run.

Freshman wide receiver Mike Williams again appeared a step slow because of a left thigh bruise but still caught six passes for 66 yards. Tight end Gregg Guenther caught the first touchdown of his career.

“It doesn’t matter whose number is called -- we’re all capable,” said Colbert, who finished with four receptions for 84 yards. “I just got some opportunities today.”

Kelly, who has taken a backseat to Williams most of the season, got the first chance when USC caused Tab Perry to fumble the opening kickoff and recovered at the Bruin 34.

“We have a script, but when you get a turnover like that you need to make a sudden change and go for it,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said.

Kelly beat cornerback Matt Ware to the goal line on the left side and leaped to catch Palmer’s pass. Ware’s momentum pushed Kelly into the end zone.

“I knew it was a matter of time till my number was called,” said Kelly, who extended his streak of games with a catch to 46. “We were watching a lot of film on [cornerback] Ricky Manning and Ware this week. I saw they were vulnerable to double moves. I gave him a hard step inside, he bit on it and there it was.”

Colbert carried the load on the Trojans’ next possession, catching three of Palmer’s five consecutive passes during an 85-yard drive. Manning came up on a play-action fake and Colbert got five yards past him as Palmer lofted a pass that resulted in a 51-yard scoring play.

“I kind of guessed he was going outside and he beat me inside,” Manning said. “I didn’t move my feet right. He got by me.”

Said Colbert: “I was just waiting for the ball to come down and thank goodness it finally did.”

Trojan Coach Pete Carroll said he feared a letdown after USC took a 28-7 lead into halftime, but Kelly and Colbert provided an immediate third-quarter charge.

On the third play of the second half, Palmer and Kelly connected for a 41-yard pass play that gave the Trojans a first down at the Bruin 34.

Chow then called a play the Trojans installed last week.

“It’s called 18 Option Line,” Colbert said. “When Carson said that in the huddle, I looked at [wide receiver] D. Hale and tapped him on the head. We knew we were going to score.”

Palmer took the snap and handed the ball to fullback Malaefou MacKenzie, who ran to his right with tailback Justin Fargas trailing on what appeared to be an option play.

“If there is penetration by the defense and Keary can’t get the ball, I can keep going or run the option,” MacKenzie said.

MacKenzie pitched the ball, but Colbert grabbed it heading in the opposite direction and sprinted untouched down the left sideline for a 35-7 lead.

“Right when I cut off tackle I knew I was going to score,” Colbert said. “I saw Carson in front of me and I was just thinking, ‘I don’t want him to look faster than me.’ ”

Colbert said he would savor Saturday’s moments well into the night. He will begin thinking about next week’s regular-season finale against Notre Dame today.

“This is a great feeling,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll feel it again next week.”