Riding the arm of Matt Barkley, a record-setting performance by Robert Woods and an improved defense, the USC Trojans opened the 2011 season with a 19-17 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Trojans' first drive set the tone with heavy doses of Barkley, who was 34 for 45 (at one point completing 16 straight) for 304 yards and 3 TDs, to Woods and was capped off by a seven-yard connection by the tandem. The two-point conversion attempt failed and the Trojans held a 6-0 lead until midway through the second quarter, when the duo hooked up again on a 43-yard scoring play to take a 12-0 lead after another failed conversion attempt.

Woods broke USC's single-game receptions record bringing in 17 catches for 177 yards and 3 TDs. Barkley set a school record of his own, for most completions in a game.

"Robert is a special player," Barkley said of Woods' record-breaking day. "He's a smart, cerebral player who has mastered the playbook and knows defenses, and just knows where to be and how to get open."

"Coach [Kiffin] made the right calls, and Matt was putting the ball on the money," Woods said.

USC's defense, which was much maligned last season, flexed its muscle throughout the first half as well, holding the Gophers to a single field goal. The defense recorded three sacks and eight tackles-for-loss. Safety T.J. McDonald and LB Hayes Pullard shared the team lead in tackles with eight apiece.

The Men of Troy were largely able to contain Minnesota's dual-threat quarterback, MarQueis Gray, holding him to 7-12 passing for 94 yards and 47 rushing yards on 16 carries before he was knocked out of the game near the end of the third quarter.

The Trojans went into the locker room at halftime up 19-3 a third scoring toss from Barkley to Woods.

But the second half didn't treat USC as kindly.

The Trojans turned the ball over on downs their first two possessions (one was a snap that went over Barkley's head), and the offense failed to score at all in the third or fourth quarters.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed in the second half with the offense not scoring a point," USC head coach Lane Kiffin said.

Despite the loss of Gray, the Gophers rallied back under freshman QB Max Shortell. Shortell went 7-13 for 98 yards and one TD, a score that brought Minnesota within a field goal.

However, the Trojans managed shake the "give up scores on the last drive" bug that plagued them much of last year, and sealed the game with a Torin Harris interception to thwart Minnesota's comeback attempt.

D.J. Morgan, who made the first start at tailback by a Trojan freshman since C.J. Gable, finished as the Trojans' leading rusher after an effective performance in which he ran for 70 yards on 18 carries.

"We're happy with the win," Barkley said. "We're gonna celebrate all wins, but it doesn't have that satisfying feeling."

The Trojans will look for that satisfaction next week in the inaugural game of the Pac-12 conference era, when they host Utah.

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