Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, left, heads downfield after breaking a tackle by USC's Keith Rivers. Oregon handed USC its second Pac-10 loss Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

Georgia Players celebrate with fans after defeating Florida. The Bulldogs won at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party for the first time since 2004 on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. The Gators had won eight of the last nine.

Connecticut's D.J. Hernandez, right, plunges for a gain against South Florida's Carlton Williams. UConn handed the Bulls their second straight loss and kept sole possession of first place in the Big East.

EUGENE, ORE. ? Oregon defensive back Matthew Harper could sense it. Southern California was trailing by touchdown and on the march in the final moments.

The home fans were on their feet, urging the Ducks to make the one last play it needed to take down the kings of the Pac-10.

Harper was confident. “We knew somebody would make the play, and luckily it was me,” he said.

Harper’s interception on USC’s final drive preserved a 24-17 victory and put No. 5 Oregon on the short list of national-title contenders.

As for No. 9 Southern California, just defending its Pac-10 title could be a long shot at this point.

Jonathan Stewart ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and Dennis Dixon completed 16 of 25 passes for 157 yards for Oregon (7-1, 4-1), which was fifth in the BCS standings this week. Dixon, who’s starting to get some serious Heisman hype, also ran for 76 yards and a touchdown.

The Ducks, who came into the game ranked second nationally in total offense, managed only 339 yards – more than 200 below their average – against the Trojans’ third-ranked defense. But it was turnovers, including a fumble recovery and a pair of interceptions, that gave Oregon the advantage over Southern California (6-2, 3-2).

USC came into the season ranked No. 1 and a heavy favorite to play for a national title. Now the Trojans will need lots of help to gain even a share of the Pac-10 crown it’s won at least a part of for five straight seasons.

“They have been top dogs,” Stewart said. “But this is a different year.”

Is it ever. USC was an underdog coming into this game, the first time since 2001 the Trojans weren’t favored against a Pac-10 team.

Mark Sanchez, making his third start for the Trojans in place of the injured John David Booty, completed 26 of 41 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns, but the misfires hurt.

The Trojans now can only look forward to next week at home against Oregon State, and see how the season shakes out.

“This is hard, sure, it’s very hard. It’s very difficult right now,” Carroll said. “We had expectations of coming up here and winning. and really jump starting us to a great finish. It was a great opportunity against a team that was really hot. We missed a big opportunity today.”

No. 1 Ohio State 37, Penn State 17

State College, Pa. – Todd Boeckman threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns, and Chris Wells ran for 133 yards, leading the Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes’ vaunted defense didn’t play up to its stingy standards, but it didn’t need to be at its best with Boeckman on a roll and Ohio State’s massive offensive line dominating.

Several Buckeyes earlier this week complained they weren’t getting enough respect despite their No. 1 ranking in the polls and Bowl Championship Series standings.

No. 6 West Virginia 31, No. 25 Rutgers 3

Piscataway, N.J. – Steve Slaton ran for three touchdowns, and Pat White rushed for 156 yards and a score as the Mountaineers beat the Scarlet Knights for the 13th straight time.

Slaton went from sideline to sideline on a spectacular 38-yard run that gave West Virginia the early lead, and he scored on second-half runs of 1 and 6 yards to bury Rutgers.

White, who missed last year’s wild 41-39 triple overtime victory over Rutgers with an ankle injury, scored on a 1-yard run. He also threw for 144 yards, highlighted by a 51-yard screen pass to Slaton to set up a touchdown.

No. 20 Georgia 42, No. 9 Florida 30

Jacksonville, Fla. – Knowshon Moreno ran for a career-high 188 yards and three scores, Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes and Georgia earned a rare victory over Florida.

The Bulldogs sacked Tim Tebow six times and contained the Gators’ high-scoring offense most of the game.

Florida had won 15 of the last 17 at the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party and eight of nine. Georgia turned it around Saturday, taking advantage of Tebow’s bruised non-throwing shoulder and Florida’s porous defense.

Connecticut 22, No. 11 South Florida 15

Storrs, Conn. – Andre Dixon ran for a career-high 189 yards, and Connecticut used a late goal-line stand to upset South Florida 22-15 and get its first win over a ranked opponent.

The victory keeps UConn in sole possession of first place in the Big East, and all but assures them of the first Top-25 ranking the program’s history.

South Florida, which was ranked No. 2 just two weeks ago, has lost two straight.

Matt Grothe finished with 146 yards rushing on 25 carries and threw for 189 yards for the Bulls. He also had two interceptions.

Mississippi State 31, No. 14 Kentucky 14

Lexington, Ky. – Wesley Carroll threw for two touchdowns, and Mississippi State forced six turnovers in the second half to upset Kentucky.

Kentucky has lost two straight since knocking off No. 1 LSU in triple overtime. Heisman Trophy hopeful Andre Woodson threw for 230 yards, but was sacked three times and threw three interceptions.

The Bulldogs hadn’t won three road games since 2000, the last time they went to bowl game.

Tennessee 27, No. 15 S. Carolina 24, OT

Knoxville, Tenn. – The Volunteers are in position to play for a conference title again after Daniel Lincoln kicked a tying 48-yard field goal with 5 seconds left, then provided the only points in overtime.

The victory, coupled with No. 20 Georgia’s victory over ninth-ranked Florida earlier Saturday, puts the Volunteers atop the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division. The Vols are tied with Georgia but beat the Bulldogs earlier this month.

No. 19 Michigan 34, Minnesota 10

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Mario Manningham had five receptions for a career-high 162 yards and a victory-sealing touchdown early in the fourth quarter to help Michigan pull away.

The Wolverines have won seven straight since opening the season being stunned by second-tier Appalachian State and getting routed by Oregon.

The Golden Gophers have lost eight of their first nine games for the first time in 15 years. They are in danger of winning only one game for the first time since 1983.

North Carolina State 29, No. 21 Virginia 24

Raleigh, N.C. – Daniel Evans threw for a career-high 347 yards and three touchdowns, two to Donald Bowens, to lead North Carolina State.

Bowens finished with 11 catches for 202 yards for the Wolfpack, who snapped a nine-game conference losing streak that dated to the middle of last season. Koyal George added a touchdown on the first catch of his career, while Jamelle Eugene ran for 112 yards.

No. 23 Auburn 17, Mississippi 3

Auburn, Ala. – Brandon Cox threw a 34-yard scoring pass to Rod Smith in the final minutes, and Brad Lester rushed for a career-high 96 yards for Auburn.

Patrick Lee set up the decisive drive with an interception in the end zone for the Tigers.

The Rebels are the only SEC team without a league victory.