Matt Barkley threw for five touchdowns, three to Ronald Johnson, and USC made the debut of coach Lane Kiffin a success with a 49-36 season-opening victory over Hawaii in Honolulu on Thursday night.

Johnson also returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown.

Barkley was 15-of-19 for 190 yards in the first half and threw TD strikes of 1 and 13 yards to Johnson. Barkley also threw a 46-yard touchdown to David Ausberry and a 6-yard TD pass to Rhett Ellison.

Johnson's punt return gave the Trojans a 34-16 lead with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter. Hawaii closed to 34-23 late in the third before Barkley and Johnson hooked up for a 3-yard touchdown on the next possession.

Barkley finished 18-of-23 for 257 yards. Trojans tailback Marc Tyler had 154 yards on 17 carries and a 44-yard touchdown run.

Hawaii's Kealoha Pilares had three long touchdown receptions - 65, 56 and 30 yards - and finished with 176 yards.