On Friday, the Trojans returned to the Coliseum, where they hold the nation's second-longest active winning streak.
They faced off against the nation's No. 2 passing offense in Washington State, who had previously been unbeaten.
The Trojans rushed for 80 yards on their opening drive to set the tone early.
WSU's pass-happy offense went to work, though, and built up a 13-point lead over USC in the second half.
The Trojans and Cougars traded blows for the rest of the game, and the Cougars took a 6-point lead into the fourth quarter.
USC RB Vavae Malepeai punched in his 2nd TD of the game in the fourth quarter and QB JT Daniels connected with WR Tyler Vaughns on a 2-point conversion to put the Trojans up 3.
On WSU's final drive of the game, the Cougars set up for a game-tying 38-yard FG.
But DL Jay Tufele got his hands on the ball and blocked the attempt to save the game from going to OT.
It was a night of firsts for the victorious Trojans.
Daniels enjoyed the first multi-score game of his career, tossing TDs to Amon-Ra St. Brown plus Tyler Vaughns and Michael Pittman, who both found the end zone for the first time this season.
Malepeai went over 70 yards for the first time in his career, finishing with 78.
RB Stephen Carr, meanwhile, notched 77.
A handful of Trojans made their first career starts, including true freshman safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Hufanga finished second on the team with 9 tackles, including a touchdown-saving tackle on WSU's final drive.
Senior linebacker Cameron Smith posted a game-high 15 tackles.
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF USC'S 39-36 WIN!
Up next, the Trojans head to Arizona to take on the Wildcats on Sat., Sept. 29.
The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
