By Ralph D. Russo
The Associated Press

LANDOVER, Md. - Southern California found a new big-play receiver in its backfield.

Tailback Reggie Bush caught three long touchdown passes to help the top-ranked Trojans beat Virginia Tech 24-13 in a sloppy opener Saturday night in the Black Coaches Association Classic.

Bryan Randall led the Hokies with his arm and legs, throwing for a score and rushing for 82 yards. It was enough to make the defending champions work hard, but not nearly enough to pull the upset.

The Trojans played their first game in two seasons without star receiver Mike Williams. USC found out Thursday that Williams would not be reinstated after his failed attempt to enter the NFL draft.

The Trojans said they were prepared to be without the All-American and would be OK with a group of talented but inexperienced receivers.

The results showed otherwise.

Breaking in a new group of starting wideouts, Matt Leinart found few open targets in the first half, going 8-for-16 for 102 yards. And the Trojans' rebuilt offensive line was providing sketchy protection.

So the junior looked to Bush, and the explosive sophomore came through when the Trojans looked as if they were in big trouble - trailing 10-7 late in the third quarter.

Bush lined up as a wide receiver, blew by Virginia Tech's best cornerback, Jimmy Williams, and cradled in a perfect over-the-shoulder throw from Leinart for a 53-yard touchdown with 1:55 left in the third.

Bush also opened the scoring by taking a middle screen 35 yards for a TD in the first quarter.

Otherwise, an offense that averaged 41 points and 447 yards last season struggled for most of three quarters against a Virginia Tech defense that is coming off its worst season in years.

Leinart picked it up in the second half and finished 19-for-29 for 272 yards, hitting 11 straight at one point. He finally found a wide receiver for long-gainer when he hit Steve Smith for 46 yards in the fourth quarter.

On the next play, Bush sneaked out of the backfield and Leinart found him all alone for a 29-yard score that made it 21-13 with 5:35 left and finally allowed the outnumbered Trojans fans among the 91,665 at sold-out FedEx Field to relax a little.

For a while, it looked as if the Hokies might get their first win against a No. 1 team on their seventh try.

As the Trojans failed to connect in the first half, Randall and the Hokies gained confidence and found a grove.

Randall's runs accounted for the bulk of the Hokies' early offense. The elusive senior had 87 yards rushing on six carries in the first quarter, which ended with USC up 7-3.

In the second quarter, Randall burned the Trojans with his arm. He went 5-for-5 for 65 yards during a 10-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a 12-yard touchdown to Josh Hyman. The 171/2-point underdog Hokies, unranked entering the season for the first time since 1998, took a 10-7 lead into halftime.

The Hokies had things going their way in the second half, too, until an offensive pass interference call on Hyman wiped out a long gain and led to a punt.

USC took advantage on the next possession, sending Bush deep for the lead.

Once given a lead to protect, the Trojans defense put the squeeze on Randall. The Hokies managed just a field goal in the second half and the Trojans caused a fumble by Randall with 2:01 left that set up a field goal and sealed a much-tougher than expected win.