LOS ANGELES — Quarterback Mark Sanchez said he has had to curb his style in recent weeks to fit what USC is trying to do on offense.

"It's a real fine line to stay aggressive and make the throws I want to make and to pull back," Sanchez said. "The last three games I've probably been more conservative than I'm used to."

He said defenses have also played the Trojans differently of late, taking away downfield opportunities and keeping them underneath.

"(It) has been to their advantage a little bit," he said. "We've gone to what we've needed to."

Sanchez, who hasn't thrown an interception in three games, said he doesn't mind the criticism surrounding him for not putting up the same numbers he did when he won Pac-10 player-of-the-week honors three times in USC's first four games.

"It's just the way it goes. It's fine," he said. "I like it. I just need to critique myself and I'm plenty hard on myself."

RUNNING the ball

USC committed to the running game against Stanford in a way it had not done previously this season.

On one drive in the third quarter with the score tied, 17-17, running back Stafon Johnson carried on three of four plays, including a 7-yard touchdown run.

Later in the half tailback C.J. Gable ran on four consecutive plays to complete another scoring drive. USC's final drive included consecutive carries by Johnson, Gable and Joe McKnight.

That approach has been a rare occurrence for USC, but it was employed throughout a second half in which USC gained 242 yards on 30 carries.

When asked if that success in the run game told him anything about his offensive identity moving forward, Coach Pete Carroll said: "We haven't changed our commitment to (running) at all. We're really not changing our thinking. It's not going to affect us in any way.

"We've never been (a run-first team). We've been a balanced offense always. That hasn't changed. The philosophy has worked and I think it makes us difficult to deal with."

Playing through pain

McKnight, who gained 72 yards on eight carries, aggravated a turf toe injury that probably will last all season.

"I'm all right. It's an injury I know is going to stick with me until I rest off of it," McKnight said. "It comes every time I hit my toe on the ground."

NOTES

Running back Allen Bradford said he is having surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his hip.

Bradford, a junior, has not played since the Oregon State game in September and will be eligible to apply for a medical hardship. ...

Carroll said defensive end Clay Matthews did not practice Tuesday because of an ear injury suffered last week in practice.