The USC Trojans pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the college football season Saturday night, knocking off the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Head coach Lincoln Riley and his Trojans delivered a statement performance, handing Ohio State its second loss of the season and shaking up the Big Ten championship picture.
Ohio State entered the matchup as one of the nation’s top teams, but head coach Ryan Day faced an additional challenge with starting quarterback Julian Sayin unavailable because of a throwing-arm injury. Freshman Luke Fahey received the starting opportunity against a USC team desperate for a bounce-back performance.
USC Comes Out Firing
The Trojans wasted no time getting their offense going. Quarterback Jayden Maiava connected with wide receiver Trent Mosley for a spectacular 69 yard touchdown, giving USC an early 7-0 advantage.
Ohio State responded with a field goal, but USC continued applying pressure. Running back Waymond Jordan found the end zone on a nine yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14-3.
The Buckeyes struggled to find consistency offensively, settling for another field goal in the second quarter. USC answered with a 54 yard field goal of its own, taking a 17-6 advantage.
The Trojans added another field goal before halftime, entering the locker room with a 20-9 lead.
Maiava and Riley Deliver Against Ohio State
Maiava played an important role in USC’s offensive success, finishing with 222 passing yards and a touchdown. Although the Trojans did not dominate time of possession, they made their opportunities count.
Mosley was particularly impressive, finishing with 101 receiving yards and providing the explosive plays USC needed.
On the other sideline, Fahey faced an enormous challenge in his first start against a nationally elite opponent. He finished with 240 passing yards, but Ohio State struggled to turn its offensive production into points.
Running back Bo Jackson provided a bright spot for the Buckeyes, rushing for 121 yards.
Ohio State’s Comeback Falls Short
Ohio State attempted to make things interesting in the second half, scoring nine fourth quarter points. However, USC’s defense continued making important stops when it mattered most.
Riley’s team maintained its composure and refused to allow the Buckeyes to complete the comeback.
The Trojans finished with 339 total yards, while Ohio State accumulated 444. Despite the significant difference in yardage, USC’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities proved decisive.
A Massive Statement for USC
The victory gives Riley and USC an enormous confidence boost heading into the remainder of the Big Ten schedule.
For Day and Ohio State, the loss raises questions about the quarterback situation with Sayin sidelined and whether the Buckeyes can maintain their championship aspirations.
USC just reminded the college football world that it can compete with anybody. Taking down the No. 2 team in the country by 12 points could end up being one of the defining moments of the Trojans’ season.
