USC gets revenge with 45-23 win over Stanford

STANFORD, Calif. – C.J. Gable made sure there wouldn't be a second Stanford stunner.

Gable returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and ran for another score to help sixth-ranked Southern California overcome an early deficit and avenge last year's shocking loss to the Cardinal with a 45-23 victory Saturday.

Mark Sanchez added two touchdown passes and Stafon Johnson ran for two scores for the Trojans (9-1, 7-1 Pac-10), who had their season ruined a year ago when they lost as a 41-point home favorite, 24-23 to the Cardinal (5-6, 4-4).

The loss still stung 13 months later and there were plenty of reminders in the first sellout in three seasons at the remodeled Stanford Stadium. From the highlights of the game played on the video board during warmups, to the "Greatest Upset Ever" T-shirts worn by many fans in the crowd to the Stanford band spelling out the score of last year's game at halftime, the Cardinal did their best to extend the memory.