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FOOTBALL — 2023-24
USC vs. Washington — as it happened
Last updated:
Scoring plays
Win probability
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
Read the recap:
USC comes up short in shootout vs. Washington
📌 PINNED
Stefano Fendrich & Thomas Johnson from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Ethan Thai
The gap finally widens, and the odds are in the Huskies’ favor.
Neither team’s lead had stretched past 7 points, until a Q4 rush by Dillon Johnson into the endzone broke the streak.
We’re live from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Refresh to see new updates.
7:58 p.m.
Huskies win.
If the game wasn’t over, it is now. Caleb Williams is incomplete on fourth down as the Huskies force a turnover on downs. Huskies will take this one, 52-42.
7:58 p.m.
Touchdown Huskies.
The Huskies have scored again to extend their lead to 52-42, seemingly ending USC’s bid at an upset. Only 2:20 left in the game. A miracle needs to happen for USC to win this one.
7:50 p.m.
One play and the Huskies are already into USC territory. Dillon Johnson rushes it 53 yards as the tailback now has 244 yards on the night. The Trojans will have to stop him at some point if they hope to win this game.
7:46 p.m.
The Trojans go backward on two straight plays — one because of a penalty and one because of a sack — to send them out of field goal range. The Huskies get the ball back, leading 45-42 with 7:42 left in the game.
7:34 p.m.
The USC defense finally makes a stop on third down, sacking Michael Penix Jr. to bring up fourth down. Washington knocks it through the uprights to take the lead, 45-42. The Huskies were 6-for-8 on third down prior to that play. In a game where every point and possession matters, the Trojans do a good job to hold the Huskies to three points.
7:25 p.m.
At the end of the third quarter, this game is knotted up at 42-42.
Washington will have the ball at the start of the fourth. In a battle between Heisman hopefuls, Caleb Williams is so far slightly outperforming Michael Penix Jr.
- Williams: 20-for-26, 281 yards, 4 total TDs,
- Penix Jr.: 19-for-26, 238 yards, 3 total TDs, 1 INT
7:20 p.m.
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
On the very next play, Caleb Williams finds Mario Williams in the end zone to, again, tie the game, this time at 42-42. It is only Mario’s second receiving touchdown of the year.
7:18 p.m.
A screen pass to Tahj Washington on 3rd & 8 puts USC into the red zone. Trojans will have first down at the UW 20-yard line, down 42-35.
7:02 p.m.
Dillon Johnson breaks off another big run for the Huskies, this time going for 33 yards. UW has the ball at USC’s 35-yard line with the game still tied 35-35. Johnson has 151 yards and three touchdowns today.
6:57 p.m.
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
In Washington territory, Trojans capitalize on the 4th & 1 as Caleb Williams finds Brenden Rice for the 25-yard touchdown as this game is knotted up AGAIN, 35-35. Williams tried to connect with Rice the previous play and could not, but Williams is able to make the completion this time. A pivotal play off of the UW turnover.
6:50 p.m.
Big stop for the defense: Eric Gentry tips the ball and Christian Roland-Wallace intercepts it in the end zone. Washington was driving, but Gentry’s length gets USC out of the jam. Trojans will now have the chance to tie it up, down 35-28 with 11:29 left in the third quarter.
6:15 p.m.
End of the first half.
USC seemed in control for most of the first half before the costly fumble by Williams. Neither defense has been much help, as 42 points were scored in the second quarter alone. Huskies lead 35-28 at the half and will receive the ball to start the third quarter.
Four of Washington’s five touchdowns have occurred on third down, with running back Dillon Johnson pacing the Huskies with 117 yards and three touchdowns.
6:15 p.m.
Touchdown Huskies.
Washington capitalizes on USC’s turnover, punching it in from the USC 1-yard line to give the Huskies their first lead of the game. UW up on USC 35-28 with 20 seconds left in the half.
6:12 p.m.
74 seconds left in the half, and what does USC do? Turn the ball over immediately. Williams tries to spin his way out of trouble but meets a Huskies defender and fumbles the ball. Washington has it at the 12-yard line.
6:10 p.m.
Touchdown Huskies.
On third down, Penix Jr. has all the time in the pocket and finds Ja’Lynn Polk standing free in the end zone for a touchdown to tie the game back up at 28-28. 1:14 left in the half.
6:09 p.m.
Riley obviously wants to give his offense another drive before the end of the half. Huskies are within the USC 5-yard line, but Riley has called timeout on back-to-back plays as USC leads 28-21 with 1:18 left in the second quarter.
6:06 p.m.
The Trojan defense forces the Huskies into a 4th & 6, but Michael Penix Jr. finds Rome Odunze for a 26-yard completion to put Washington into the red zone. Another failed chance by the Trojans to stop the Huskies.
5:58 p.m.
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Trickery! Zachariah Branch gets the ball on an end-around, reverses his run, tosses it back to Caleb Williams who finds Tahj Washington WIDE open for a 41-yard touchdown to give USC a 28-21 lead with 4:04 left in the first half.
5:50 p.m.
Touchdown Huskies.
Dillon Johnson breaks through untouched for a 52-yard touchdown rush on third down to tie the game back up. Once again the Trojan defense allows a touchdown on third down.
5:43 p.m.
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Darwin Barlow gives USC the lead in a back-and-forth affair with a short-yardage touchdown, 21-14. Barlow got the ball into the red zone on the previous play with a 43-yard run. USC marches 95 yards in just 2:02.
5:41 p.m.
Austin Jones gets USC into Washington territory with a 31-yard rush. Jones is getting the bulk share of the carries tonight with Lloyd out. USC at the U-Dub 44-yard line.
5:39 p.m.
Big mistake by Zachariah Branch. Attempting to let it bounce for a touchback, Branch had to pick the ball up from the one yard line and field it. USC will begin its drive from the 5-yard line now.
5:25 p.m.
Touchdown Huskies.
The Trojan defense puts good pressure on Penix Jr. but he’s just better as he escapes the pocket and finds Devin Culp in the end zone. Calen Bullock seemingly had a chance to get a pass breakup, but does not jump high enough. The Trojans defense plays good, but not good enough as the Huskies knot the game up at 14.
5:25 p.m.
The first quarter comes to a close with USC on top 14-7.
With redemption heroics on the punt block by Duce Robinson, the Trojans are doing everything they can to pull off the upset.
5:22 p.m.
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
The Trojans instantly capitalize as Caleb Williams carries the QB keeper into the end zone to give USC the lead 14-7. It’s still early, but the Trojans are playing to pull the upset.
5:18 p.m.
Believe it or not, the Trojan defense held its ground and were rewarded. After holding strong and forcing a three and out, USC blocked the ensuing punt, setting it up with 1st & Goal.
5:17 p.m.
Heartbreaking end to the drive for the Trojans. Williams had freshman wide receiver Duce Robinson streaking as open as you can possibly be, and Robinson let the ball slip from his grasp. Washington begins their drive from the 20.
5:06 p.m.
Touchdown Huskies.
The Huskies move down the field with little resistance and punch it in from two yards away, courtesy of Dillon Johnson and tie the game up at seven. This is brewing up to be a shootout for the ages.
4:56 p.m.
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Raleek Brown opens up the scoring for USC on a rush from the two-yard line. Brown is playing in his first game since Week 0 against San Jose State. A very methodical drive from USC to start the game. USC leads 7-0.
Correction: two-yard line, not one.
4:52 p.m.
The Trojans break into the Washington red zone after a third-down scamper from Caleb Williams. USC has been much more methodical on this drive than previous games, already eating 5:15 of game time.
4:43 p.m.
USC wins the opening toss and decides to receive the ball. Caleb Williams and the Trojans will start on offense and try to set the tone early against the Huskies.
4:24 p.m.
Less than 20 minutes until No. 5 Washington and No. 20 USC kickoff. It’ll be a game of two potent offenses in front of a packed Coliseum.
Terrible news for the Trojans: Redshirt junior running back MarShawn Lloyd isn’t suited up to play. Lloyd came into the day leading the FBS in yards per carry with 7.7.
3:05 p.m.
Players arriving.
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
