In a highly anticipated matchup filled with drama throughout the game, No. 12 USC fell hard to No. 20 Oregon Saturday night, 41-27. This marks the Trojans’ first loss at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since Nov. 30, 2024.

The Trojans (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) started to heat up as the game progressed, but it wasn’t enough as the Ducks (3-1, 1-0) took home a 14-point victory. With the loss, the College Football Playoff may be out of reach for another season, barring any upsets later in the season for USC.

USC redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava had a solid night at the helm, completing 23 of his 42 passes for 326 yards, two touchdown passes and a late interception, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as the Ducks’ defense was too overpowering.

With freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley ruled out, Maiava’s top and go-to connection all game was another freshman receiver, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. Dixon-Wyatt secured seven catches for 114 yards, including a massive 31-yard touchdown reception to put the Trojans on the board in the second quarter.

In the second half, it was junior wide receiver Terrell Anderson and sophomore wide receiver Tanook Hines who held down the receiving corps. In a breakout game, Anderson caught two passes for 50 yards, while Hines reeled in a game-tying 11-yard touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.

Maiava’s counterpart for the majority of the game was junior quarterback Dylan Raiola, who was not the gunslinger the Trojan defense expected to see.

In a scary situation, Oregon senior quarterback Dante Moore was sliding for a first down early in the second quarter when he was taken out by junior linebacker Desman Stephens II. Moore remained on the ground for the next 15 minutes before being moved onto a stretcher and eventually into an ambulance following the severe injury to his head. He was later transferred to Los Angeles General Medical Center.

Stephens was ejected from the game as Raiola took over, filling in nicely for the injured Moore. Raiola ended the game completing all but six of his passes for 289 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Oregon sophomore running backs Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison quieted the 75,500 fans in attendance with a strong performance on the ground. The duo combined for 129 yards and three rushing touchdowns, while Hill added 105 receiving yards in a perfectly balanced all-around game.

The Ducks completed an upset over the higher-ranked Trojans in fashion, even without their Heisman-hopeful quarterback. With this just being the start of USC’s difficult slate, questions have already started looming around the job security of Head Coach Lincoln Riley as his struggles against top-ranked teams continue.

USC will look to turn things around at home against Washington (3-0) on Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m.