Sanchez shines in Trojans’ victory

Southern Cal’s Mark Sanchez stepped up into the pocket after feeling the pressure from the right side of the offensive line and saw Virginia’s safety staring right at him while standing still.

“If he’s flat-footed and Ro-Jo [USC wideout Ronald Johnson] is running, it isn’t even close,” Sanchez said.

The junior quarterback quickly tossed the ball into the air from near midfield and hit a wide-open Johnson in stride just past the goaline to put the Trojans up by 31 late in the third quarter of what ended as USC’s 52-7 season-opening victory over Virginia Saturday night.

Sanchez threw for a career high 338 yards, completed 74 percent of his passes and tossed three touchdowns in the rout, proving that his left knee isn’t suspect and that his No. 3 Southern Cal squad certainly belongs in the national title discussion. At least until they face fellow powerhouse Ohio State in two weeks at home.

The knee was the subject of a lot of speculation in the preseason after Sanchez dislocated his kneecap during a routine practice throw on Aug. 8. Sanchez put together an awfully convincing performance to prove that the knee was perfectly fine against the Cavaliers, making all the throws and staying efficient throughout.

“[USC’s medical staff] toed that line of being too aggressive and careful, and that’s what I liked,” Sanchez said. “It felt great and I moved when I needed to.”

The junior didn’t have to do much of that though, as USC’s unproven offensive line dominated Virginia’s equally unproven defensive line. The Trojans held the Cavaliers, who rarely rushed more than three or four players, at bay the entire night. Virginia didn’t have a single sack.

“There were a number of times tonight where Mark had forever back there,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said. “Nothing but good things happened today.”

Sanchez agreed with the general consensus on his offensive line’s play.

“[Offensive line coach Pat] Ruel calls it ‘we’re cooking steaks back there,’ because we have so much time,” Sanchez said. “I loved it.”

Sanchez flashed a lot of playmaking ability with a couple of throws on the run, but he also stayed within the system, distributing to the Trojans’ host of playmakers — five of USC’s six-deep tailback unit scored touchdowns.

“We really have a sense that Mark has an eye for getting the ball downfield,” Carroll said. “He naturally has an ability to take advantage of our system.”

Next time out, Carroll will find out whether Sanchez can take advantage of that system against the Buckeyes in Southern Cal’s highly anticipated showdown. But the junior, and his left knee, certainly passed the first test.