Jose Cortez's field goals kept OSU in the game.
Trojans score late, break open game.
18 Southern California scored 17 points in the final two minutes to break open a close game and beat Oregon State 40-20. Linebacker Chris Claiborne capped the scoring when he intercepted a pass by Tyler Tomich and returned it 40 yards for a TD with 59 seconds left. But they got only a 33-yard field goal by Jose Cortez afterward. The loss kept long-suffering Oregon State from stringing together three victories since winning the last three games of the 1970 season. After Alexander's kickoff return, the Trojans went back in front on Abrams' 28-yard field goal, set up when Pat Swanson recovered Ken Simonton's fumble at the Oregon State 37.