FINAL: USC Trojans Defeat the UCLA Bruins to Become Bowl Eligible

The USC Trojans make the trip to the Rose Bowl to face their crosstown rivals, the UCLA Bruins. USC comes into the matchup one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Can the Trojans reclaim the Victory Bell?

Nov 23, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) is tackled by UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (17) during the second quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans overcome their red zone struggles in the first half to defeat the UCLA Bruins 19-13 at the Rose Bowl and become bowl eligible.

It was an up and down for performance from redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava in his second start. But midway through the fourth quarter the Trojans signal-caller delivered. Maiava on a Caleb Williams esque play connected with sophomore receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a lead they never relinquished. 

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

Nov 23, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) is tackled by UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (17) during the second quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Fourth Quarter

1:46 - Ethan Garbers pass on 4th-and-10 is incomplete. USC will take over on their own 25-yard line.

2:00 - Two-minute timeout. UCLA will face a 3rd-and-10 from the USC 25-yard line.

2:09 - Field Goal. Michael Lantz's 30-yard field goal is GOOD. USC leads 19-13.

2:16 - Timeout UCLA. The Bruins burn their second timeout of the half.

2:21 - Timeout UCLA. The Bruins burn their first timeout of the half.

3:00 - Jayden Maiava completes to Kyron Hudson for 11 yards on 3rd-and-5 to pick up the 1st down.

4:59 - Turnover on downs. Ethan Garbers gets stopped short on 4th and 1. USC will take over on their own 34-yard line.

6:55 - TOUCHDOWN. USC. Jayden Maiava does his best Caleb Williams impression and connects with Ja'Kobi Lane for the 4-yard touchdown. USC leads 16-13.

MAIAVA MAGIC 🪄

📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/USqBIaYWNG

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 24, 2024

7:35 - A double pass to Makai Lemon to Kyron for 39 yards sets the Trojans up inside the 5-yard line.

8:16 - UCLA punt. A big sack by Easton Mascarenas-Arnold forces the Bruins to punt. USC will take over on their own 49-yard line.

10:50 - From the 1-yard line Ethan Garbers completes to J.Michael Sturdivant for 25 yards.

11:08 - USC punt. The Trojans drive stalls and are forced to punt. UCLA will take over on their own 1-yard line.

11:30 - Jayden Maiava is sacked by Oluwafemi Oladejo for a loss of 13 on 3rd down.

14:48 - Injury timeout. Woody Marks is injured on a run for a loss of one.

Third Quarter

0:00 - Makai Lemon returns the kickoff 41 yards. A late hit by UCLA will tack off an extra 15 yards. UCLA leads 13-9 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

0:04 - Field Goal. Matteen Bhaghani's 29-yard field goal is GOOD. UCLA leads 13-9.

3:10 - Ethan Garbers completes to J.Michael Sturdivant for a 45-yard completion to move the Bruins to the USC 5-yard line.

5:20 - Ethan Garbers is sacked by Braylan Shelby for a loss of four yards.

7:05 - USC punt. The Trojans pick up 15 yards in 5 plays. UCLA will take over on their own 9-yard line.

7:50 - Jayden Maiava gets hit hard and fumbles. Walker Lyons is able to recover and USC maintains possession.

9:37 - TOUCHDOWN UCLA. Ethan Garbers completes to Moliki Matavao for a 10-yard touchdown to cap off a 7-play, 54 yard-drive. UCLA leads 10-9.

Moliki Matavao follows his convoy into the end zone!

📺 NBC and Peacock | @UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/cLJCAa9vQD

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 24, 2024

11:00 - Ethan Garbers runs for 8 yards on 3rd-and-7 to pick up the first down.

12:46 - Ethan Garbers completes to J.Michael Sturdivant for 29 yards, moves UCLA into USC territory.

13:58 - Turnover on downs. Jayden Maiava pass to Ja'Kobi Lane's is dropped. UCLA will take over on their own 46-yard line.

14:02 - USC Timeout. The Trojans burn their first timeout of the half before facing a 4th-and-3.

14:32 - Injury timeout. UCLA's KJ Wallace was injured. USC will face a 3rd-and 3.

14:55 - Because of the unsportsmanlike penalties, UCLA kicked off from the 5-yard line. USC will begin the drive from their own 48-yard line.

Second Quarter

0:00 - Tempers flare as both teams were coming off the field. UCLA gets called for 3 unsportsmanlike penalties.

0:00 - Ethan Garbers to Kwazi Golmer for 29 yards as time expires. USC leads 9-3 at halftime.

0:04 - USC Timeout. The Trojans burn their final timeout of the half. UCLA faces a 1st-and-10 from midfield.

0:21 - Field goal. USC fails to capitalize inside the 5-yard line for the 3rd time tonight. Michael Lantz's 22-yard field goal is GOOD. USC leads 9-3.

1:28 - Jayden Maiava completes to Lake McRee for 26 yards, moves USC inside the 5-yard line.

2:00 - Two-minute timeout. Woody Marks runs for four yards. The Trojans are currently working on an 8-play drive. Will face a 1st-and-10 on the UCLA 34-yard line.

6:26 - UCLA punt. The Bruins were forced to punt, USC takes over on their own16-yard line.

6:33 - Injury Timeout. Mason Cobb was injured after taking a big hit trying to come up with the interception after the deflection.

8:40 - TJ Harden runs for 26 yards and moves UCLA into USC territory.

9:25 - Field goal. USC is unable to get in the end zone for the 2nd straight possession inside the 5-yard line. Michael Lantz's 23-yard field goal is GOOD. USC leads 6-3.

10:54 - Quinten Joyner runs over a defender and picks up 21 yards to move the Trojans inside the 5-yard line.

12:50 - Jayden Maiava makes a nice sidearm throw to Kyron Hudson for a pickup of 13 yards and the first down.

13:00 - USC Timeout. The Trojans burn their second timeout of the half before facing a 4th-and-3.

14:10 - USC Timeout. The Trojans burn their first timeout of the half. They are currently working on a 1-play drive.

14:17 - Turnover on downs. Ethan Garbers pass is incomplete. USC will take over on their own 42-yard line.

14:20 - UCLA Timeout. The Bruins burn their first timeout of the half before facing a 4th-and-2.

First Quarter

0:00 - TJ Harden runs for no gain. Game tied 3-3 at the end of the 1st quarter.

4:12- USC Field Goal. After marching down inside the 5-yard the Trojans were unable to capitalize. Michael Lantz's 19-yard field goal is GOOD.

5:30 - Woody Marks runs for 16 yards to move the Trojans inside the 5-yard line.

6:08 - Jayden Maiava throws a dart to Makai Lemon for a 62-yard completion.

7:14 - UCLA punt. After just crossing midfield, the Bruins drive stalled. USC will take over on the UCLA 5-yard line.

9:46 - UCLA running back TJ Harden runs for 49 yards.

9:55 - USC punt. The Trojans pick up 16 yards in four plays. UCLA takes over on their own 7-yard line.

11:32 - FIELD GOAL. Matteen Bhaghani 51-yard field is GOOD. UCLA leads 3-0.

11:37 - REVIEW. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold delivers a big hit and Ethan Garbers fumbles. Mason Cobb recovers. But after the review it was determined Garbers' arm was moving forward. Incomplete pass.

15:00 - USC won the toss and deferred to the second half.

Pregame

The Trojans look to reclaim the Victory Bell, which has been awarded annually to the winner since 1942 after falling to the Bruins 38-20 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC has won each of the last two games at the Rose Bowl and 18 of the last 25 matchups.

“The idea that we wear our home jerseys, they wear their home jerseys it’s just a special thing about this rivalry specifically," said former USC All-American safety and current assistant defensive backs coach Taylor Mays. "I think for the players going into the game they’re going to feel kind of an atmosphere or some energy because it does have a different feel being at the Coliseum or the Rose Bowl playing UCLA. I think for our guys they just have to be in the moment. 

“And this one of the reasons you come to USC, you’re playing an awesome rivalry game like this." 

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) drops back to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Trojans look to reclaim the Victory Bell, which has been awarded annually to the winner since 1942 after falling to the Bruins 38-20 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC has won each of the last two games at the Rose Bowl and 18 of the last 25 matchups.

The Trojans announced its captains as cornerback Jaylin Smith, offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon, punter Eddie Czaplicki and defensive tackle Gavin Meyer.

USC redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava made his first start of the season last week in the Trojans 28-20 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Maiava rebounded after throwing an early pick-six to former USC cornerback Ceyair Wright, by throwing three touchdown passes to three different receivers, sophomores Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson, and senior Kyron Hudson.

Running back Woody Marks carried the ball 19 times for a career-high 146 yards. The Mississippi State transfer has been excellent for the Trojans all season, last week he became the first USC player to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since Ronald Jones in 2017. Coach Lincoln Riley has relied heavily on the senior and will continue to in this matchup.

USC has three players that played for UCLA in this matchup a year ago, safety Kamari Ramsey, cornerback John Humphrey and receiver Kyle Ford.

Kickoff in the "Battle of Los Angeles" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on NBC.

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