LIVE Score Updates USC Trojans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions: Gavin Meyer Injured, Carted Off Field

The USC Trojans (3-2, 2-1 Big Ten) host the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It is the 11th all-time meeting between the two historic programs that dates all the way back to 1923. USC leads the series 6-4.

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans (3-2, 2-1 Big Ten) host the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It is the 11th all-time meeting between the two historic programs that dates all the way back to 1923, but the first as conference foes with the Trojans leading the series 6-4. The last time the Trojans and Nittany Lions played in the regular season was in 2000. 

“We got a phenomenal opportunity this week in the Coliseum,” said USC coach Lincoln Riley. 

This article will be updated live throughout the game. The most recent news will be posted below.

First Quarter

15:00 - USC won the coin toss. Miller Moss and the Trojans offense will get the ball to start the game.

12:50 - The Trojans ran four plays gaining 15 yards before having to punt on their opening possession. Penn State takes over on their own 11-yard line.

9:06 - REVIEW. The previous play of the runner short of the first down was under review. It remained third-and-one after the review. Penn State has gained 47 yards on their opening possession.

4:53 - FIELD GOAL. The Trojans defense makes a stop around the goal line. After an offensive pass interference call on fourth down by Julian Fleming, the Nittany Lions had to settle for a field goal. Penn State takes a 3-0 lead over USC.

4:38 - TOUCHDOWN. Quinten Joyner fakes the reverse to Zachariah Branch and races down the field for a 75-yard TOUCHDOWN. USC takes the lead over Penn State 7-3.

QUINTEN JOYNER WINS THE FOOT RACE. pic.twitter.com/7pF2FfPMUS

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 12, 2024

2:02 - Penn State burns it's their first timeout of the half before facing a third-and-three.

1:57 - USC TIMEOUT. After pressure from Jaylin Smith, Drew Allar's pass fell incomplete on third down. USC used its first timeout of the half when Penn State lined up to go for it on fourth down. The Nittany Lions took a false penalty and decided to punt.

0:00 - Miller Moss' pass for Duce Robinson falls incomplete. The Trojans are currently putting together a four-play drive. USC leads 7-3 after the first quarter.

Second Quarter

14:14 - TOUCHDOWN. After a Woody Marks 28-yard run set the Trojans up in red zone, the very next play Miller Moss connected with Quinten Joyner for a 9-yard touchdown to cap off a 7-play, 89-yard drive. USC leads Penn State 14-3.

13:25 - Kamari Ramsey was helped off the field after a 6-yard completion to Nick Singleton. Bryson Shaw comes in to replace him.

12:15 - INTERCEPTION. Drew Allar's pass is intercepted by Desman Stephens II and returned for 32 yards. USC takes over on the Penn State 26-yard line.

10:05 - Field Goal. Michael Lantz kicks a 45-yard field goal following the interception. USC leads Penn State 17-3.

7:39 - Penn State ran four plays that gained 17 yards before being forced to punt. USC will take over at the 19-yard line.

6:57 - USC burns their second timeout of the first half before facing a third-and seven.

5:58 - USC was forced to punt after going three-and-out. Penn State will take over on their own 21-yard line

2:46 - Field Goal. USC defense holds in the red zone. After Zion Branch broke up a pass on third down, Penn State was forced to settle for a field goal. USC leads 17-6 late in the second quarter.

Pregame

USC announced its team captains as quarterback Miller Moss, center Jonah Monheim, linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and safety Akili Arnold.

The Trojans are 2-0 at home this season with wins over Utah State and Wisconsin — where they have outscored their opponents 86-21. The last time USC defeated a top 5 team in the Coliseum was in 2015 against No. 3 Utah. 

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Nittany Lions are making the cross-country trip over 2,500 miles out west for the first time in the regular season since 1991. In the new-look Big Ten coast-to-coast travel has become the new norm in conference play. Last week, UCLA made the trip to Happy Valley, next Saturday, USC will visit Maryland. 

Since 2022, Penn State is 26-1 against teams other than Ohio State and Michigan 

The Trojans are hoping to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive after dropping their second game of the season when the Minnesota Golden Gophers scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter last Saturday. The upset loss dropped USC completely out of the top 25 rankings. With the Trojans playoff chances hanging in the balance, a win over the Nittany Lions can bolster their resume for the new 12-team format. 

“We have two pretty clear choices," said quarterback Miller Moss. "To double down on who we are, come closer as a team and go forward with a great opportunity this weekend, or let this affect us and deter us from what we ultimately want to do."

Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will coach against his Alma Mater, where he played from 2008-11 and was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention. 

“It’s exciting," Lynn said. "You know, I haven’t got a chance to see them play in person since I played there, so it’ll be cool. Two of my old teammates are on the staff, so it’ll be cool to see them before and after the game.”

USC is hosting a impressive list of recruits on Saturday, headlined by 2025 five-star quarterback commit Julian Lewis, 2026 five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons and 2026 five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. The Trojans built a ton of recruiting momentum after an impressive double-digit comeback over Wisconsin in week 5 and are looking to do the same at home this week. 

Can the Trojans pull off the upset? USC is a 5.5-point underdog at home. 

This article will be updated live throughout the game. The most recent news will be posted below.

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