Barkley, No. 2 USC shake Syracuse 42-29

By Asssociated Press Published: Sep 8, 2012 at 5:14 PM PDT
Barkley, No. 2 USC shake Syracuse 42-29
Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods, left, scores on a touchdown reception against Syracuse cornerback Ri'Shard Anderson during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Matt Barkley threw a career-best six touchdown passes, and Robert Woods was spectacular with 200 all-purpose yards and two scores, to help No. 2 Southern California shake free of Syracuse 42-29 on Saturday.

The rare trip to the northeast for the Trojans was choppy at times, and Syracuse's hurry-up offense kept USC working hard for four quarters at MetLife Stadium.

Ryan Nassib and Syracuse's hurry-up offense kept things close with consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter to make it 21-16 heading into the fourth. Nassib finished with 327 yards passing, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run.

But the Orange simply had no answer for Woods.

The All-American reached over a defender for a 29-yard score in the second quarter and boxed out a defensive back on a 4-yard touchdown in the third. He finished with 10 catches for 93 yards.