Buck the Truck excited Trojan fans with his smooth, bruising dashes through Beaver defensemen. (Kevin Tsukii/ Neon Tommy)

Behind freshman RB Javorious "Buck" Allen, USC rushed for 242 yards against Oregon State Friday night, silencing a rowdy crowd to mere whispers by the third quarter and defeating the Beavers 31-14.

Allen rushed for a season- and career-high 133 yards and three TDs, and was supported by veteran back Silas Redd, who complemented Allen with 140 tough rushing yards. 

From USC's first drive of the game, it was evident that this night marked a "Buck" in many of the Trojans' struggling offensive trends. Cody Kessler found Marqise Lee deep, and absurdly wide open, on the very first offensive play for the Trojans and the wideout took it in from 71 yards out. 

From then on out, it was all USC. Kessler settled down and had his most efficient game of the year, save for a first half pick-six. Kessler threw 17/21 for 247 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, posting his highest quarterback rating (185.9) since USC's bout against Boston College.

On the other side of the ball, the highly-touted battery between nation-leading QB Sean Mannion and WR Brandin Cooks never fully materialized. Cooks did snatch a touchdown from Mannion in the second quarter, but the Biletnikoff hopeful finished with a season-low six receptions and 88 yards. Mannion was equally as ineffective, boasting a 58% completion percentage and three interceptions.

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Limiting Oregon State's deadly aerial attack was certainly key to USC's victory Friday night, as Oregon State could not effectively counter with a consistent ground game. The Beaver offense finished with just 92 rushing yards and was responsible for just seven points Froday night.

Of course, much of the credit should be given to the Trojans' front four, which presurred Mannion all night and forced the Oregon State quarterback to throw his three picks, all of which came deep in USC territory. Kevon Seymour, Josh Shaw and Dion Bailey all recorded internceptions for the Trojans.

The Trojan defense hunkered down after going into the half with just a seven-point lead and did not surrneder a single point in the second half. That marked the third straight game that USC did not give up a point in the second half. 

USC's wide receivers made fans forget all about the Trojans' troubles at tight end. In Lee's return to action, the Serra junior caught five balls for 105 yards, including the momentous bomb to start the game. Nelson Agholor followed with two catches for 73 yards and freshman Darreus Rogers even caught a ball for 11 yards. Supported by the rushing attack, USC's offense moved through the air swiftly, not recording a single pass to a tight end in the process.

The impressive road conference win puts USC right back in the hunt for the Pac-12 South division title at 3-2 in conference play. With lowly Cal up next on the schedule, the Trojans must hope to be 4-2 when hated ranked rival Stanford comes to South Central in two weeks. 

Reach Senior Sports Editor Jeremy Bergman here.

Follow him on Twitter @JABergman.