Back to the ground: Allen, Davis hoping to keep running game on a roll for No. 16 USC

Southern California running back Javorius Allen, center, scores as Oregon State safety Ryan Murphy, left, and safety Cyril Noland-Lewis try to tackle him during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Los Angeles. USC won the game 35-10. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Southern California running back Javorius Allen, right, heads for a touchdown as he escapes a tackle by Oregon State linebacker Jabral Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Los Angeles. USC won the game 35-10. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – If Javorius Allen was surprised to receive criticism from his head coach after his third 100-yard rushing game of the young season, Southern California's top running back didn't show it.

Allen knows the 16th-ranked Trojans (3-1, 2-0 Pac-12) are capable of much more in the running game than they've accomplished in the first month of the season, and he wants to keep it rolling at Tailback U.

Allen rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown in USC's blowout win over Oregon State last weekend, while Justin Davis added 82 yards and another score. But coach Steve Sarkisian lamented his tailbacks' inability to break tackles down the field, saying Allen and Davis had been brought down too easily at times.

The Trojans host Arizona State (3-1, 1-1) on Saturday.