Three Things We Learned as USC Trojans Upset Ohio State Buckeyes

With their backs against the wall and the program under fire, USC responded in a big way Saturday night with a 30-18 upset win over No. 2 Ohio State to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

The Trojans freshman were the stars on offense. Receiver Trent Mosley caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, which occurred on the second play of the game. Tight end Mark Bowman caught three passes for 79 yards, including a highlight reel 70-yard catch-and-run. Defensively, USC was stingy in the red zone, and forced the Buckeyes to kick four field goals, which was ultimately the difference.

Fourth Quarter

2:09 - USC recovers the onside kick.

2:12 - TOUCHDOWN Ohio State. Luke Fahey to Jeremiah Smith for 1-yard touchdown to cap off a 13-play, 80-yard drive. Ohio State trails 27-18 after a failed 2-pt conversion.

3:00 - Luke Fahey runs for 9 yards to the 1-yard line.

7:57 - USC punts after picking up 1 first down. Ohio State takes over on their own 20-yard line.

10:55 - King Miller runs for 20 yards and USC is across midfield.

11:48 - Ohio State punts after going 3-and-out. USC takes over on their own 40-yard line.

13:21 - USC punts after picking up 1 first down. Ohio State takes over on their own 15-yard line.

14:56 - Connor Hawkins 46-yard field goal is GOOD. Ohio State trails 27-12.

Third Quarter

0:00 - Braylan Shelby sacks Luke Fahey on 3rd-and-7. Ohio State will face a 4-and-14 on the USC 29-yard line.

6:11 - TOUCHDOWN USC. King Miller 1-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 3-play, 68-yard drive. USC leads 27-9.

7:00 - Jayden Maiava completes to Mark Bowman who hurdles a defender and takes 70 yards, inside the Ohio State 5-yard line.

USC freshman tight end Mark Bowman with one of the best plays you will see all season! pic.twitter.com/7a8xKVz52d
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) November 1, 2026

7:47 - Isaiah West fumbles and USC defensive lineman Floyd Boucard recovers. USC takes over on their own 31-yard line.

10:42 - USC punts after going 3-and-out. Ohio State takes over on their own 5-yard line.

12:59 - Ohio State punts agter going 3-and-out. USC takes over on their own 29-yard line.

Second Quarter

0:01 - Caden Chittenden's 36-yard field goal is GOOD. USC leads 20-9.

1:46 - Connor Hawkins' 23-yard field goal is GOOD. Ohio State trails 17-9.

5:55 - King Miller FUMBLES and the ball is recovered by Ohio State. The Buckeyes take over on their own 41-yard line.

10:21 - Ryon Sayeri showing off the leg with a 54-yard field goal. USC leads Ohio State 17-6.

13:22 - USC gets a stop in the red zone and forces Ohio State to settle for a Connor Hawkins 34-yard field goal. USC leads 14-3.

First Quarter

2:25 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Waymond Jordan 9-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 4-play, 31-yard drive. USC leads 14-3.

Smooth Operator Waymo 🚗

📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/kiQYB0tflw
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 1, 2026

4:08 - Ohio State punts after picking up 1 first down. Trent Mosley returns the punt 44 yards and personal foul penalty on Ohio State tacks on 15 yards. USC has the ball on the Ohio State 31-yard line.

6:40 - Luke Fahey to Jeremiah Smith for 27 yards and Ohio State is across midfield.

7:37 - USC punts after going 3-and-out. Ohio State takes over on their own 33-yard line.

8:30 - Connor Hawkins's 39-yard field goal is GOOD. Ohio State trails 7-3.

8:30 - Luke Fahey's pass is INTERCEPTED by Christian Pierce but after review it was determined Pierce was out of bounds.

14:15 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Jayden Maiava throws a screen to Trent Mosley who goes 69 yards for a touchdown to cap off a 2-play, 75-yard drive. USC leads 7-0

THERE GOES TRENT MOSLEY 👋

📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/OktFRsKh2Y
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) October 31, 2026

15:00 - USC receives the opening kickoff

Game Preview

USC Trojans Lincoln Riley Big Ten College Football Playoff Live Score Updates Luke Fahey Jeremiah Smith Injury Touchdown — Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws a pass during a warmup prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

USC and Ohio State have played in several marquee matchups throughout college football history — most notably in Rose Bowl games that carried national championship implications.

Southern Cal holds a 13-10-1 series lead, including wins in eight of the last 10 meetings. Halloween night is the first time the two will square off as Big Ten opponents.

The Trojans are reeling after an upset loss to Wisconsin in week 8. With their College Football Playoff hopes hanging in the balance, USC has their backs up against the wall. And the future of coach Lincoln Riley could very much hinge on Saturday’s outcome.

The five years under Riley can only be categorized as a failure. No College Football Playoff appearances and no signature wins. Saturday is the perfect opportunity to make a statement but it’s a program that has not risen to challenge this year or any of the previous years. Can they change the narrative?

Quarterback Jayden Maiava is coming off his worst performance of the season, where he was picked off twice in the first three drives. The offense not going behind a poor showing from its offensive line.

Maiava was sacked five times and with sack yardage included, the Trojans finished with the night with negative 17 yards on the ground. Running back King Miller carried the ball 11 times for eight yards.

And with rainy conditions expected for Saturday’s game, USC is going to need its run game and help take some of the pressure off Maiava.

In the first half last week, the Trojans defense played their best half of defense against a Power Four opponent this season. That faded in the second half, as did the effort on that side of the ball.

Saturday is all about playing four quarters of complementary football. It’s the phrasing all of the players used this week in media availability. Whether they can execute it or truly had that approach during the week of practice will be determined.

Everything is on the line for USC. How prepared they are for this highly anticipated matchup with be indicative of Riley and the team responds with reveal how the players truly feel about their coach.

New Quarterback for Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin suffered a season-ending injury during a 19-15 win over Indiana on Oct. 17. So, the Buckeyes will turn to true freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, who comes from Mission Viejo (Calif.) high school in Orange County.

Fahey doesn’t have much experience, having completed 9-of-13 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns versus two interceptions this season. What he does have is superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith, the best player in the country and Heisman favorite.

How does USC defensive coordinator Gary Patterson choose to approach Ohio State’s quarterback situation and does he have a plan to slow down arguably the best receiver in Big Ten history?

Bo Jackson leads the rushing attack and will be counted on given the rainy conditions and the team’s quarterback situation.

It’s a stout Buckeyes defense under longtime NFL coach and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. They have allowed more than 20 points just once this season against Texas on Sept. 12.

Wisconsin got after the Trojans a week ago and were the more physical team. Ohio State can create the same challenges but to a greater degree.

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