HONOLULU (Ticker) -- A nationally ranked opponent spelled trouble for new coach June Jones and Hawaii.

Malaefou MacKenzie ran for three touchdowns as 21st-ranked Southern California raced to a monstrous first-half lead and extended Hawaii's nation-high losing streak to 18 games with a 62-7 pounding.

It was all downhill for Jones and the Rainbows from the start. David Newbury opened the scoring for USC with a field goal 4:19 into the contest. Sophomore quarterback Carson Palmer hit Winfred Hayes with a 32-yard touchdown pass and Palmer ran nine yards for a score, making it 17-0 after one quarter.

MacKenzie, a sophomore tailback, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in last season's opening game, found the end zone on a three-yard run and plunged over from one yard as the Trojans raced to a 31-point advantage just 6 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. Senior tailback Chad Morton scored on a 17-yard run and Newbury kicked a 34-yard field goal to extend the lead to 41-0 at the half. Morton carried 19 times for 95 yards.

Palmer, who saw extenisve playing time as freshman last season, completed an efficient 14-of-16 passes for 167 yards.

The game marked the return for Jones to his alma mater. Jones, Hawaii's 20th head coach, previously has been the head man of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and most recently was the interim coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Jones was named coach after the Rainbows stumbled to an 0-11 record under Fred Vonappen last season. In addition to going winless last season, the Rainbows also dropped their final six games of the 1997 season. They have not won since posting a 28-16 victory over Fresno State on November 11, 1997.

Hawaii was handed its worst loss since suffering a 63-0 pasting at the hands of Colorado State on October 4, 1997.

MacKenzie, who tallied just 25 yards on eight attempts, continued the Trojans' onslaught just 2:50 into the third, this time scoring on a one-yard run. Hawaii got its only points when Quincy LeJay returned an interception 21 yards for a TD with 7:15 left in the third.

Linebacker Markus Steele returned a fumble 46 yards for a score late in the third and freshman Sultan McCullough ran five yards for a TD in the fourth to close the scoring.

The Trojans are coming off an 8-5 season that ended in a disappointing 28-19 loss to Texas Christian in the Sun Bowl.

USC improved to 76-23-8 all-time in season openers.

Rainbows quarterback Dan Robinson went just 16-of-39 for 149 yards.