USC vs UCLA — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Matthew Diederich / Daily Trojan
📌 PINNED
Sean Campbell and Bennett Christofferson from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Braden Dawson and Matthew Diederich
Late Lemon, Lane resurgence powers football to 29-10 win over UCLA
When USC star junior wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane are hot, the No. 17 Trojans are very likely to win. But in Saturday’s rivalry bout with UCLA, neither saw the field until the second quarter — reportedly due to disciplinary reasons — nor got hot until late in the third quarter. However, with the perception of USC and Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s season on the line, their performances were enough to escape with a win.
Lemon’s first catch of the game didn’t come until 30 seconds remained in the third quarter, but the 32-yard touchdown grab with a defender in the vicinity was a big one. The score put USC (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) up 14-10 after a gritty first half that saw the Trojans — who had been favored to win by roughly three touchdowns — down against unranked UCLA (3-9, 3-6).
After the Bruin three-and-out that followed, Lemon broke off an explosive 35-yard punt return, and Lane evaded defenders for a 27-yard gain to set up redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee for what would be the game-winning touchdown that improved USC’s lead to 21-10. Redshirt freshman running back King Miller’s garbage time touchdown — his second of the game — extended the lead to 29-10, securing a come-from-behind win over the Trojans’ crosstown rivals.
Further reading:
- USC is coming off a 42-27 loss at Oregon that all but ended its hopes of earning an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff. This will be the Trojans’ 12th consecutive year without a playoff spot since the CFP format was introduced in 2014.
- Amid a disappointing season, coaching changes and talks of a potential move from the iconic Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium, UCLA football is in “disarray,” Daily Bruin sports editor Connor Dullinger said in an interview with the Daily Trojan.
- A massive investment deal with the Big Ten is currently on hold after USC and Michigan expressed strong opposition to the deal.
7:55 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
As one final exclamation point on a now-certain victory, the Trojans secured their fourth sack of the game — courtesy of redshirt freshman linebacker Jadyn Walker — on a fourth-down attempt from the Bruins at USC’s 5-yard line. With less than a minute to play, the Trojans have assembled into victory formation and will emerge victorious against their crosstown rivals for the second straight year.
7:45 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
The drive was all King Miller: After he got the ball on the first three plays for a combined 24 yards, the redshirt freshman running back exploded for a 41-yard rush into the end zone, likely sealing the win for USC.
Despite Lane being called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play — his second such penalty in as many games — the Trojans converted a two-point conversion on a pass to sophomore tight end Walker Lyons, putting them up 29-10 with just over two minutes to go.
7:37 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
The Coliseum crowd was the loudest it’s been all season after two more penalties — a delay of game and a false start — along with a sack from junior defensive end Braylan Shelby forced the Bruins into a third-and-22, and later fourth-and-15, situation.
This time, Iamaleava and company couldn’t make up the difference, as the fourth-down try, a pass to Gilmer, didn’t make it quite far enough for the first down. USC will take possession on its 35-yard line, hoping to lock down its ninth win of the season with just four minutes left in the game.
7:34 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
After a false start pushed UCLA back 5 yards, Abasiri and freshman defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart teamed up for the Trojans’ second sack of the night on Iamaleava. A subsequent call for delay of game put the Bruins at third-and-21, seemingly dooming them to another punt, but a 24-yard pass to Mokiao-Atimalala kept them alive with a first down.
7:21 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
USC is finally getting the impact it expects from Lane, who caught a 14-yard pass from Maiava and advanced another 13 yards before finally coming down at the Bruins’ 10-yard line. After Miller followed the play up with an 8-yard reception, Maiava passed to a wide-open McRee for the Trojans’ second touchdown of the half.
Sayeri’s kick was good for the extra point, giving USC a 21-10 lead with 11 minutes to play.
7:17 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
On a deep pass attempt to McRee, Maiava’s throw was picked by redshirt senior defensive back Key Lawrence for what appeared to be a critical interception, but two penalties called on UCLA gave the Trojans a huge break and allowed them to keep pushing into Bruin territory.
7:13 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Facing third-and-6, Iamaleava made a deep throw to redshirt senior wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala that nearly gave the Bruins a huge gain, but Williams broke up the play for a crucial stop to force UCLA to punt.
Lemon broke out for 35 yards on the punt return, making an acrobatic leap over a Bruin player in the process, to put the Trojans at their own 43-yard line as they look to extend their narrow lead in the fourth quarter.
7:07 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Lemon touchdown regains lead for USC with one quarter to play
After missing the first quarter, star junior wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane were slow to get involved in the game. But, once they did late in the third quarter, the Trojans reemerged and proved why they were roughly three-touchdown favorites against their crosstown rival.
With about 30 seconds left in the third quarter, Lemon, who leads the Big Ten in receptions with 78, hauled in his first catch of the game, a 32-yard contested touchdown grab that put USC up 14-10 heading into its final quarter of regular-season play this season. A few plays before, Lane grabbed a third-down pass to extend the drive and set up Lemon’s later score.
Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava has looked good even without his top two options for part of the game, completing 18-of-26 passes for 220 yards. Maiava has hit nine different receivers, eight of whom have caught a pass of more than 10 yards.
After back-to-back three-and-outs to start the second half, the Bruins were driving before sophomore defensive tackle Jide Abasiri logged USC’s first sack of the game on third down to force a UCLA punt and give USC a chance to regain the lead.
7:01 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
And just like that, Lemon has his first reception of the night: a 32-yard touchdown catch to give USC the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter. The score marks Lemon’s fourth straight game with a touchdown, tying him with two Indiana receivers for the most touchdown catches among Big Ten players with 11.
Sayeri may have missed his two field goal attempts in the first half, but his 46-for-46 record on extra-point kicks remains unblemished, and the Trojans lead 14-10 with just 25 seconds to go in the third quarter.
6:59 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
After Maiava’s first-down throw to Lane was just out of the wide receiver’s hands, the two connected for a 12-yard completion on third down for just the second catch of the night for the star receiver. Lemon, who leads the Big Ten with 78 receptions, has yet to make a catch today since sitting out the first quarter alongside Lane.
6:52 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Sophomore defensive tackle Jide Abasiri halted all of UCLA’s momentum by wrapping up Iamaleava on third-and-5 for the Trojans’ first sack of the game, forcing a punt.
USC will take over at its own 9-yard line as it hopes to turn the tides, while still down 10-7 late in the third quarter.
6:50 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Though Iamaleava and company haven’t had any explosive plays so far in a seven-play drive, their second of the half, the Bruins have consistently carved out chunk plays of roughly six yards to move all the way to USC’s 37-yard line with about seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Iamaleava has completed all five of his passes this drive as his Bruins threaten to extend their lead over the Trojans.
6:43 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Even quicker than the Bruins went three-and-out to start the second half, Maiava and company failed to get anything going on offense, punting the ball right back to UCLA with more than 12 minutes to play in the third quarter. On third-and-10, Maiava threw his second incompletion of the drive on a deep pass attempt to Hines.
Miller’s second-down run was also stopped for no gain, highlighting his struggles to break for big yardage after USC’s opening drive. Miller is averaging four yards per carry with 40 on 10 attempts.
6:36 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
After an unnecessary roughness call forced UCLA to begin the first drive of the second half at its own 14-yard line, the Bruins couldn’t get anything going on three plays and punted after just a minute and a half of play. The Trojans will take over on offense, hoping to score for the first time since their opening drive and regain the lead.
6:09 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Missed field goals have UCLA up 10-7 at halftime
While the annual rivalry matchup between USC and UCLA was projected to be heavily in favor of the Trojans, fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum have seen a much closer game than expected heading into halftime. Despite the teams only having one punt combined, two missed USC field goals and solid red zone defense on both sides have the Bruins ahead of the shellshocked Trojans 10-7 after the first half of play.
After junior wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane missed the first quarter due to “disciplinary reasons,” as first reported by 247 Sports’ Connor Morissette, redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava has connected with eight different receivers for passes of 10 or more yards. Freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines leads the Trojans with 30 yards on two receptions, including a 26-yard play during the first quarter that set up an eventual touchdown on USC’s opening drive.
Redshirt freshman running back King Miller continues to be the main option on the ground, racking up 40 yards on nine carries, including a 5-yard rushing touchdown for the Trojans’ only score of the game thus far.
After coming into the game with a 17-for-19 conversion rate on field goal attempts, redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri missed both of his tries in the first half, one of which was blocked by the Bruins. However, Sayeri’s successful extra-point kick on the first-quarter touchdown kept his perfect 45-for-45 record on the season intact.
On the other side, it was Bruin junior kicker Mateen Bhaghani who sank a 38-yard try at the end of the first half to give UCLA the lead at halftime.
6:06 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Field goal Bruins.
The Bruins’ third-down conversion was overturned after an official review, as Iamaleava was just short of a first down, setting up a pivotal fourth-and-1 situation late in the second quarter. UCLA appeared to be going for it, but called its second timeout of the half with just 22 seconds remaining after attempting to catch the Trojan defense offside to bring out the field goal unit.
Settling for 3-points, the Bruins brought out Bhaghani, who drilled a 38-yard kick to put UCLA up 10-7, its first lead of the night.
6:00 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
In just four seconds of play, Iamaleava earned another Bruin first down on a keeper, before a poorly executed screen pass seemed likely to force out UCLA’s second timeout. However, instead, the Trojans burned their own second timeout of the half, meaning the Bruins have the ball at USC’s 26-yard line — likely already in field goal range — with over a minute to score.
5:55 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Running back towards his own end zone, Gilmer dove and caught an 11-yard pass to convert on the third-and-10 attempt and bring the Bruins into USC territory. With 1:21 left in the half, UCLA has two timeouts remaining and has 40 yards to the end zone. One first down will likely bring the Bruins into field goal range, potentially allowing them to take their first lead of the game.
5:52 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Coming out of the two-minute warning, UCLA is facing a critical third-and-10 at its own 48-yard line as it hopes to take its first lead of the game in the waning moments of the first half.
Though it hasn’t been flashy, Iamaleava has quietly led the Bruins to an arguably more consistent performance than the Maiava-led Trojans, completing 8-of-11 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Bruin redshirt senior running back Jalen Berger is leading the UCLA running game, having gone for 28 yards on four carries so far.
5:49 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
247 Sports’ Connor Morissette, who first reported that Lemon and Lane would not start, wrote in a post on X that multiple sources confirmed to him the decision was made for disciplinary reasons.
5:43 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Despite driving into UCLA’s red zone on all three of its drives so far, the Trojans are still sitting at just 7 points after Sayeri missed his second field goal attempt of the game. Before the game, Sayeri had only missed two tries in 19 attempts through 11 games.
The Bruins will take over with the ball on their own 20-yard line with the chance to take their first lead of the night heading into halftime.
5:41 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Lemon’s first touch of the game was a trick play reverse run that gained two yards to bring up third-and-11 at USC’s 12-yard line, which Maiava and company couldn’t convert. Lane has not touched the ball and has only been targeted once since returning to the game in the second quarter alongside Lemon.
5:38 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
A blown block from Kaylon Miller led to a second-down pressure and a dropped interception on a last-second toss from Maiava. However, one play later, Maiava hit sophomore tight end Walker Lyons on the sideline for a 10-yard gain and a first down to bring USC into Bruin territory for the third straight drive.
5:36 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Miller is getting in on the pass action as well, breaking out for a 20-yard reception to put the Trojans near the 50-yard line. Miller has totalled 40 yards on nine carries and another 24 on two catches.
5:34 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Both Lemon and Lane were on the field for USC’s first offensive snap of the second quarter, which saw Maiava target Lane on an unsuccessful deep pass attempt. Lemon was also one of the two kick returners for the Trojans the play before.
5:32 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Touchdown Bruins.
Coming out of the timeout, UCLA immediately scored on a 2-yard pass from Iamaleava to sophomore wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer despite heavy coverage from redshirt freshman cornerback Marcellus Williams.
The extra-point kick from junior kicker Mateen Baghani was good, and the Bruins have tied the game up at 7-7.
5:28 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
The Bruins are on the verge of tying the game after a successful Iamaleava pass to junior wide receiver Mikey Matthews brought them to USC’s 5-yard line, but back-to-back rushes for just 1 yard each forced UCLA to take its first timeout of the half, facing third-and-goal early in the second quarter.
5:23 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
After ending the first quarter with a rush for its fourth first down of the drive, UCLA made it to the red zone on the first play of the second quarter thanks to a 17-yard rush from redshirt senior running back Jalen Berger.
5:20 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Without Lane and Lemon, USC still leads 7-0 after first quarter
Despite being without star junior wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane in the first quarter of Saturday’s matchup against UCLA, USC leads 7-0 thanks to a strong opening-drive effort from redshirt freshman running back King Miller and a few key completions from redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Neither Lemon nor Lane was listed on the Big Ten’s Availability Report before the game, though 247 Sports reported first that the two would not start but that they were expected to return in the second quarter. The Los Angeles Times’ Ryan Kartje posted on X that the sidelining was “not injury related.”
Maiava completed 6-of-8 passes in the quarter for 75 yards, including connections of more than 10 yards to four different receivers. Miller has rushed for 40 yards on nine carries and punched in the 5-yard touchdown to give the Trojans the lead.
Though redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri extended his perfect extra point streak to 45, his late first-quarter field goal attempt was blocked for just his third missed 3-point try of the season.
5:11 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
After two Miller rushes went for a combined 1 yard and a Maiava attempt was incomplete, the usually-lockdown Sayeri stepped onto the field hoping to put USC up by two scores. However, his 38-yard attempt was blocked by Bruin freshman linebacker Scott Taylor.
The block was just Sayeri’s third missed kick of the season, and his first that was blocked.
Without Lemon and Lane, Maiava has still performed well, completing 7-of-9 passes for 75 yards, while Miller’s pace has slowed down since a quick start to the opening drive.
UCLA will take over with the ball on its own 21-yard line.
5:07 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
In the absence of his two top receivers, Maiava has been taking the ball himself to great effect; a 21-yard rush put USC just outside the red zone as it threatens to score for the second straight drive with less than five minutes to go in the first quarter.
5:05 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Neither Lemon nor Lane has played a snap thus far. The reason is unclear as neither was listed on the Big Ten’s Availability Report. The pair not starting was first reported by 247 Sports’ Connor Morrisette, who later posted on X that he expected the duo to return in the second quarter.
The Los Angeles Times’ Ryan Kartje posted on X that Lane and Lemon not starting was “not injury related.”
Hines has gotten the bulk of the receiver looks in their absence, though redshirt senior wide receiver Jaden Richardson and McRee have both caught passes — including an 11-yard reception from Richardson to help the Trojans escape from another third-and-long situation.
4:59 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Iamaleava is in for the Bruins and completed one of his first three passes to force a three-and-out on UCLA’s first offensive possession of the game. The Trojans will take over at their own 32-yard line, hoping to extend their lead to two scores.
4:54 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
After redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee brought the Trojans to UCLA’s 5-yard line with a 16-yard reception, Miller ran it in on the very next play to open the scoring with a touchdown. Miller touched the ball on seven of USC’s 10 plays on the drive.
Redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri remained perfect on extra-point attempts with his 45th conversion in as many tries this season, and the Trojans lead 7-0.
4:52 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Already, Miller has established his presence against the struggling Bruin defensive line, rushing for 35 yards on six carries, an average of 5.8 yards, including a four-yard third-down carry that brought the Trojans into the red zone.
4:48 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
After Maiava was forced out of bounds on a keeper to force a third-and-long, he connected with freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines for a 26-yard play to keep the Trojans from going three-and-out and bring them into UCLA territory.
4:46 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The Bruins won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Maiava and company will start with the ball as they hope to jump out to a quick lead against their crosstown rivals.
4:44 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Led out of the tunnel by former star USC defensive end Willie McGinest, who went on to have an illustrious NFL career and earn a spot in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, the Trojans took the field at the Coliseum for the final time this regular season.
Fireworks spewed both from the Coliseum’s typical launch area near the torch as well as propellants in the Trojans’ own endzone, beside the run out.
Kickoff is less than two minutes away as both teams hope to prove something in their regular-season closers, despite both programs’ playoff hopes likely being decided.
4:39 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
When the UCLA Bruins Marching Band took to the field, it was met with a loud series of boos from the fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. However, minutes later, an even louder “Beat the Bruins” chant during the Trojan Marching Band’s rendition of “Conquest” engulfed the jam-packed Coliseum as the Trojans prepare to take the field.
4:30 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Though the Trojans may be impacted by injuries to multiple key players, the injury with the biggest potential impact on the game is on the other side, as UCLA star redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava was listed as questionable on the Big Ten’s Availability Report. Before the game, he was seen warming up with the team, meaning he is likely to play.
Iamaleava has been one of the Bruins’ few bright spots this season, completing 181-of-285 passes for 1,728 yards and 12 passing touchdowns on top of four rushing touchdowns on almost 500 yards.
4:15 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
On top of the compounding offensive line injuries, the Trojan secondary and running back room are also battered ahead of the rivalry game.
Redshirt senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald, who is one of nine players in college football with at least five interceptions this season, was listed as out on the Big Ten’s Availability Report, while his partner in crime, redshirt junior safety Kamari Ramsey, was listed as questionable. Ramsey was not seen warming up with the team and appears likely to be out.
Junior safety Christian Pierce and sophomore safety Kennedy Urlacher started in Fitzgerald and Ramsey’s place in last week’s loss to Oregon and are likely to do the same against the Bruins.
“They’re two fighters. They tackle the ball. They’re violent. They’re contact seekers,” Riley said of the backups’ performance. “A couple plays that we want back from a communication standpoint. But for both those guys in that moment, against a good offense like that — they both made a lot of plays.”
For the second consecutive week, junior running back Waymond Jordan is listed as questionable after getting injured alongside redshirt senior running back Eli Sanders against Michigan in early October. Jordan went to practice in pads earlier this week while Sanders is still out.
4:05 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Head Coach Lincoln Riley said redshirt sophomore starting left tackle Elijah Paige, who is out against the Bruins, underwent a procedure in a virtual news conference Friday. Riley also said redshirt junior starting center Kilian O’Connor will do “virtually the same thing.”
Junior right guard Alani Noa may also miss the fray after being listed as questionable on the Big Ten’s Availability Report.
Redshirt senior center J’Onre Reed, who has consistently filled in for O’Connor when he has been injured, will almost assuredly slot in at center, while redshirt freshman Kaylon Miller is likely to take Paige’s spot after redshirt sophomore left guard Tobias Raymond slots in at tackle.
While all three of O’Connor, Paige and Noa have been injured over the last few games, there hasn’t been a significant period where all three have been out, meaning it is unclear who may fill in if Noa doesn’t play Saturday. Redshirt sophomore left guard Micah Banuelos and freshman right tackle Elijah Vaikona are the only two other linemen listed on USC’s official depth chart.
