updated 12:30 a.m. ET Sept. 16, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. - In many ways, it was just like the old days at Nebraska, with a top-ranked team running all over an overmatched opponent in front of a crazy crowd at Memorial Stadium.

The difference was the Cornhuskers were the team getting pushed around Saturday night and No. 1 Southern California was doing the dominating.

The Trojans got physical with the No. 14 Nebraska in a 49-31 victory, piling up 313 yards on the ground. Stafon Johnson led USC’s tailback brigade with 144 yards and the Trojans averaged 8.2 yards per rush.

It was a thoroughly impressive performance by USC and more one-sided than the final score showed.

“I didn’t think there was any question we could run the ball at any time,” said USC coach Pete Carroll, who had plenty to celebrate on his 56th birthday. “Anything we wanted to get done on the line of scrimmage we were able to get done.

“This game was clear that we had command of it. I love that we played the way we did today.”

The Trojans (2-0) won for the 61st time in 67 games, the best run in college football since Tom Osborne led the Huskers to three national titles in the 1990s.

USC lost some support to LSU on the polls last week, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Trojans recoup some of those first-place votes when the new Top 25 comes out Sunday.

College football road trip Best game this week? Vote on contest you want to see covered the most

The Huskers (2-1), playing host to a No. 1-ranked team for the first time since 1978, came into the game in search of a breakthrough victory for fourth-year coach Bill Callahan. They’re still looking after dropping to 1-10 all-time against No. 1s and 0-6 under Callahan against teams ranked in the Top 10.

USC’s 49 points were the third-most scored by an opponent in Lincoln.

“We’ve got to get better. We’ve got to get better,” Callahan said.

College football Two-man race with Tebow, McFadden

The Trojans broke open the game by scoring three straight touchdowns in the second half, the first two set up by interceptions.

“Once we got going, geez, we just took control,” Carroll said.

USC led 49-17 in the fourth quarter, but Sam Keller led two touchdown drives against the Trojans’ prevent defense to close the gap.

Weigh in on hot sports topics USC will win BCS championship

USC running backs broke off 12 runs of 10 yards or more, including six of 20 or longer.

“We wanted to come in and play Trojan ball,” Johnson said. “The crowd was bananas, but we came in and played our way and got the win.”

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Baseball cover up, NBA faux pas, tennis nap, and more. more photos

The Trojans’ rushing total was their most since getting 403 against UCLA in 2005 and the most allowed by Nebraska since Texas had 353 in 2003. The 8.2 yards per carry was the most ever against Nebraska.

“It’s beyond disappointing,” linebacker Bo Ruud said. “This is a real bad performance by our team. It’s on the players. We didn’t do a good job on the defensive side of the ball. The defense did not show up today.”

Nebraska, which ran for 68 yards in a 28-10 loss at USC last year, netted just 31 yards on the ground.

The Trojans scored on back-to-back series in the second quarter to erase a 10-7 deficit.

Don't miss this on MSNBC.com When the Dumpster is also the pantry Batman, Hellboy, Mulder bring blockbusters Without TV ads, restless legs may take a hike Remembering eight great extinct species 15-pound gut bomb, other extreme July 4 eats

C.J. Gable, who had 69 yards on four carries, had runs of 14 and 11 yards and Johnson a 16-yarder before Stanley Havili ran in from the 2.

Nebraska went three-and-out, and then John David Booty sprinkled in three short passes with five handoffs as the Trojans drove 73 yards in nine plays for a 21-10 halftime lead. Johnson broke off a 32-yard run to the Nebraska 25, and three plays later he scored from the 7 after his offensive line created a massive opening on a trap play.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Making travel plans? Georgia DE Lemon suspended after arrest Opinion: Offseason winners, losers Walters: Weis must come forward, discuss Spygate Walters: Top 10 impact games of season Rivals.com notebook: Kennard shines at USC's camp Vote: What's the best conference? Send us your college football tailgating photos Breaking down college football's team of decade   College football message boards College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: