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Scoring plays
Win probability
Matthew Diederich / Daily Trojan
📌 PINNED
Sean Campbell & Nicholas Corral from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Matthew Diederich
We’re reporting live from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Refresh to see new updates.
Some further reading:
- Coming off a bye week and loss to Illinois, USC’s chance at a spot in the College Football Playoff bracket hangs in the balance.
- Going into the bye week, the Trojans faced a spate of injuries.
8:54 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Football overcomes turnovers to earn first ranked win of season against Michigan
Despite turning the ball over twice in the red zone, football’s potent offensive attack was too much for No. 15 Michigan to handle Saturday as the Trojans came out of a bye week with momentum despite key injuries, leading to a 31-13 win. With the multi-score victory, Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s squad is likely back in the College Football Playoff conversation after dropping off The Associated Press’ Top 25 following a loss to No. 17 Illinois two weeks prior.
USC (5-1, 3-1 Big Ten) started hot by marching down the field for a touchdown on its opening drive, led by another efficient effort from redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava as well as tough runs from junior running back Waymond Jordan. After the defense forced a Michigan (4-2, 2-1) three-and-out, the Trojans cruised down the field yet again but were halted by the first of two costly turnovers — a fumble on what would have been a 24-yard gain from redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee.
7:45 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
In a last-ditch effort, Michigan went for it on fourth-and-5 on its own 30-yard line but failed to convert after Underwood was hurried by sophomore linebacker Desman Stephens II and threw an incomplete pass. USC took over the ball with under three minutes remaining and will just need to burn clock and avoid any major errors to cruise to a win. The Trojans currently lead 31-13.
7:42 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Sophomore running back Bryan Jackson saw his path to the left clog up with Wolverine defenders and cut right for a 29-yard touchdown run to put USC up 31-13 with 4:21 to go, all but guaranteeing a victory. Jackson has rushed for 38 yards on three carries after taking some of the snaps from Miller late in the game.
7:34 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Maiava and company have put together an impressive drive in response to Michigan’s touchdown, already burning more than three minutes of clock and advancing well into Wolverine territory. Maiava completed three passes on the drive thus far, including a 20-yard toss to McRee, to improve to 25-of-32 on the day for 265 yards.
7:24 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Michigan.
On the second play of the drive from the Wolverines’ own 31-yard line, Underwood fired an 18-yard pass to Marsh who stutter-stepped to get around multiple USC defensive backs for a 69-yard touchdown to close the gap midway through the fourth quarter. An overthrown two-point conversion from Underwood keeps it a two-score game at 24-13 with still over nine minutes remaining.
7:18 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
Redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri made it a three-score game after narrowly converting a 54-yard field goal to cap off a long drive for the Trojans.
After Hines dropped a would-be first down in open space on second-and-10 on the 36-yard line, a third-down holding penalty on redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Micah Banuelos set the Trojans back too much to recover, forcing the long try which Sayeri converted.
Michigan will receive the ball with about 10 minutes left in the game, needing to move quickly and come up with multiple stops.
7:10 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
King Miller leads Trojans to 21-7 lead with one quarter to play
After seeming injuries to both of USC’s top-two running backs — junior Waymond Jordan and redshirt senior Eli Sanders — redshirt freshman King Miller has taken over the game, breaking for multiple massive gains and a touchdown in the third quarter to propel USC to a 21-7 lead with just one quarter to go.
Though a costly interception from redshirt junior Jayden Maiava on USC’s second third-quarter drive that went deep in Michigan territory seemed to halt Trojan momentum, redshirt senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald brought it right back. The safety hauled in his fourth interception of the year after reading Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood near the end of the third quarter to give USC the ball back to start the fourth quarter with a lead.
Miller has rushed for 144 yards on 12 carries for an average of 12 yards, while Maiava has stayed mostly efficient, completing 18-of-23 passes for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both junior receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane have caught at least five passes and a touchdown as the Trojans hope to pull off a marquee win, bringing them back into College Football Playoff contention.
7:01 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Just like USC’s promising drive mere minutes before, Michigan’s attempt to mount a comeback late in the third quarter was thwarted by an interception deep in opposing territory. Fitzgerald picked up his fourth interception of the season to give USC the ball at its own 22-yard line.
6:59 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Six plays after Maiava’s costly turnover, Underwood and company had worked their way into USC territory with still more than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. The drive has seen a balanced and poised Michigan offense, highlighted by back-to-back rushes of 10 or more yards by Marshall and a 19-yard completion over the middle to McCulley. Michigan has the ball at USC’s 29-yard line and is facing third-and-10.
6:54 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After evading multiple defenders and nearly getting back to the line of scrimmage, Maiava, pressured by senior edge rusher TJ Guy, overthrew a floater to Lemon which was intercepted by senior defensive back Zeke Berry deep in Wolverine territory. The interception was Maiava’s second of the season and USC’s second turnover in the red zone already in this game.
6:49 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Less than 20 minutes after breaking for his last run of 40 or more yards, Miller found yet another gap up the middle, this time for a 47-yard gain that brought the Trojans just outside of the red zone. An 11-yard completion to Lane put USC at the 13-yard line with about 6:30 remaining in the third quarter.
Miller has made the most of his opportunities thus far, averaging 13 yards per carry with 144 on 11 attempts on top of two receptions for 14 yards.
6:47 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Though the Wolverines were able to muster their first first down of the half thanks to a 7-yard run from sophomore running back Jordan Marshall, the Trojan defense came up with another quick stop just three plays later, with sophomore defensive tackle Jide Abasiri coming up with back-to-back run-stopping tackles.
The USC defense will hope to continue building on its lead about halfway through the third quarter on the Trojans’ second drive of the half which will start on their own 48-yard line. Wolverine senior punter Hudson Hollenbeck has struggled mightily to pin the Trojans, averaging just 36.5 yards on four punts.
6:36 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
On third-and-26 on USC’s own 32-yard line, Miller broke out for a massive 49-yard run down the middle of the field before following it up with a 15-yard rushing touchdown on his third-consecutive run to put USC up 21-7. Miller has amassed 97 rushing yards on nine carries and has two receptions for 14 yards.
6:34 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Midway through the second quarter, redshirt senior running back Eli Sanders, who has been a consistent No. 2 option behind Jordan for the Trojans all season, left the field in a cart, according to the Los Angeles Times. With Jordan also limping off the field during the second quarter, Miller has had to take most of the snaps and has performed well.
6:30 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After an offensive pass interference call on Marsh set Michigan back, the Wolverines had to settle for a three-and-out to start the second half as a 6-yard scramble from Underwood on third down wasn’t enough to move the chains.
USC will take over with the ball on its own 48-yard line after less than two and a half minutes of second-half play, hoping to build on the momentum of its efficient three-minute drive to close the half.
6:12 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Maiava-Lemon connection propels USC to lead at halftime
With about three minutes left in the first half, redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava and junior wide receiver Makai Lemon took control of the game, connecting for a massive 28-yard completion and a 12-yard touchdown with multiple defenders around to put USC up 14-7 at halftime.
While a first-quarter fumble from redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee and an inefficient half for junior starting running back Waymond Jordan have held USC’s offense back, the Trojans have continued to go on long drives as Maiava’s efficiency has shined yet again. Maiava has completed 15-of-18 passes for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showed promise in his second quarter performance, leading the Wolverines on a grueling 14-play drive that resulted in a touchdown to tie the game late in the second quarter.
6:02 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
With just 15 seconds remaining in the half, Lemon turned around with a defender in his face and three in his vicinity to pull in a 12-yard touchdown pass that will likely send USC into halftime with a 14-7 lead. Lemon has continued to prove himself as a formidable force, catching four passes for 63 yards including a toe-dragging 28-yard completion early on the drive.
Maiava was extremely efficient on his roughly three-minute drive to close the quarter and has now completed 15-of-18 passes for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.
5:54 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Despite facing another third down situation just inside of USC’s territory, a 12-yard pass from Underwood to graduate wide receiver Donaven McCulley thwarted another potential Trojan defensive stand. Since, the Wolverines have quickly added three more first downs, including a 16-yard completion to Marsh and a 10-yard keeper from Underwood to put them inside the 10-yard line.
5:48 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Touchdown Wolverines.
To cap off a 14-play drive, Underwood connected with McCulley for an 8-yard touchdown, the Wolverines’ first score of the game. After a successful extra point, the score is tied, 7-7, with just over three minutes remaining in the first half.
After a rocky start, Underwood has improved his efficiency, completing 8-of-12 passes for 79 yards and the touchdown, aided by 51 yards on the ground from Haynes. USC will take over on its own 25-yard line, hoping to regain the lead before the break.
5:54 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
While on the run and evading multiple Wolverine defenders, Maiava rolled right and completed a 28-yard pass to Lemon, who narrowly stayed in bounds for the big play. After an 8-yard run from redshirt freshman running back King Miller, the Trojans will continue their drive on Michigan’s 38-yard line as they hope to regain a lead they held for most of the first half.
After Jordan got a bulk of the carries early on, Miller has taken over as the primary option on USC’s current drive. Miller has gone for 29 yards on six attempts while also catching two passes for 14 yards. His 4.8 yards per carry average is significantly higher than Jordan’s 3.5 thus far.
5:39 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Freshman defensive tackle Floyd Boucard went down after another rush from Haynes, stopping play for a few minutes. Boucard was able to walk off the field with assistance from training staff but did not immediately return to the game.
5:38 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
With hundreds of towels waving in the air, the USC defense was unable to contain graduate running back Justice Haynes who earned Michigan’s second first down of the drive on a 4-yard third-and-3 rush in Michigan territory. Haynes has racked up 51 yards on 10 carries for an average of 5.1.
5:34 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
A poor screen pass from Maiava on second down, ruled a fumble recovered by freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines, put the Trojans in a rough third-and-17 position that they could not convert, forcing their first punt of the game on their own 39-yard line. While a 21-yard completion to Lyons — his second catch of 20 or more yards — started the drive hot, USC failed to capitalize as the Wolverines will take over on their own 14-yard line in what is still a one-score game.
Maiava has now completed 11-of-14 passes for 127 yards and the first-drive touchdown to Lane.
5:23 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Despite looking dominant in the waning moments of the first quarter, Underwood and company couldn’t get much going when their drive continued in the second quarter. A third-down sack from redshirt senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald that pushed the Wolverines back 11 yards sealed the deal, forcing a second-straight punt. USC will take over on its own 10-yard line.
5:19 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Stellar opening drive soured by fumble
After a stellar opening drive that resulted in a touchdown, a costly red-zone fumble by redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee has sparked a Michigan rally that sees the Wolverines knocking on the door at the close of the first quarter.
Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava has shown great efficiency, completing 9-of-10 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown to junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, while Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood has picked it up after a rough first drive as he hopes to lead the Wolverines to a touchdown of their own.
Junior running back Waymond Jordan has seen a lot of volume early despite injuries to the offensive line, but has shown little efficiency, going for 27 yards on eight carries, about a 3.4 average.
5:13 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
High off the momentum of the fumble recovery, Underwood and the Wolverines got their first three first downs of the game to start a promising drive that breached USC territory. Underwood completed three passes in a row to start the drive, including two first-down completions to freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh.
Michigan will have the ball at USC’s 42-yard line to start the second quarter.
5:09 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On his ninth pass of the game, Maiava threw his first incompletion to force third-and-7. His tenth — a screen pass to McRee that would have gone for 24 yards — would have been enough to make up for it before the tight end lost a fumble, halting another strong offensive possession for the Trojans. Michigan will take over at its own 8-yard line.
On the first two Trojan possessions, Maiava has completed 9-of-10 passes for 101 yards and Jordan has already amassed eight carries for 27 yards.
5:03 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After nearly getting bottled up shy of the first down, Jordan shed a tackle and cut all the way to the right edge for 11 yards and a successful fourth down conversion after another broken tackle.
4:59 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After a near-flawless opening drive, Jordan was unable to get one yard on back-to-back carries forcing fourth-and-1 at USC’s 38-yard line. Before an official review, the Trojans were lined up to go for it and a toss to Jordan was called dead due to USC’s taking its first timeout of the half.
4:52 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC forced a three-and-out on Michigan’s first possession after Wolverine freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood completed just one of his three attempts. Maiava and company will get the ball back at their own 29 with a chance to take a commanding lead early on.
4:47 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
After a quick run down the field, the Trojans faced a third-and-2 as Michigan hoped to limit the damage to three. But redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava had different ideas as he hit Lane for the first score of the game. USC leads 7-0.
Maiava completed all five of his passes on USC’s opening drive to five different receivers, highlighted by a 21-yard completion to Lyons.
4:42 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
McRee is on the field for USC’s opening series, which was started off by three-straight touches for junior running back Waymond Jordan who kicked off a quick offensive run with a first down. Back-to-back passes to Lyons and junior wide receiver Makai Lemon gave the Trojans two more first downs as they approached the red zone on their opening possession.
4:36 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After being led out of the tunnel by women’s basketball star junior guard JuJu Watkins and a barrage of fireworks, the Trojans (4-1, 2-1) have taken to the field as kickoff looms just minutes away.
Paige was seen walking in street clothes behind the team and will likely be out for the game.
USC will start with the ball.
4:25 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee, redshirt sophomore left tackle Elijah Paige and freshman cornerback Alex Graham were listed as questionable on the Big Ten’s availability report released ahead of the game against Michigan (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
McRee has been a major part of the tight-end revival in USC’s passing attack just a year after none — including McRee — scored touchdowns. This year, he has gone for 248 yards on 12 catches alongside one touchdown while sophomore tight end Walker Lyons has scored twice and has over 100 receiving yards.
Paige was also listed as questionable after sustaining an injury against Michigan State (3-3, 0-3) three weeks ago and missing the Trojans’ most recent game against Illinois (5-2, 2-2). With redshirt junior starting center Kilian O’Connor out for the game, the USC offensive line may be without two of its key pieces as others like redshirt senior center J’Onre Reed will need to step up.
Head Coach Lincoln Riley said Graham was progressing ahead of schedule and may be back in the “near future” but said after practice Tuesday that he didn’t expect it to be this week.
Junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane was absent from the availability report after being listed as questionable against Illinois and getting limited snaps.
