USC Trojans Beat Wisconsin Badgers: Miller Moss, Ja'Kobi Lane ‘Show Fight’ In First Big Ten Win

After a tough loss against Michigan, USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss, wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane, and the entire USC team bounced back emphatically against the Wisconsin Badgers and former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

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

USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers being a Big Ten conference game in September is an unfamiliar sight to everyone. Well into the college football season, the matchups are still a bit weird and even funny in some instances. Welcome to the world of college football conference realignment.

This game was filled with storylines, and while other marquee matchups might have stolen the national spotlight — this one was still highly anticipated. USC coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans were tasked with a simple question: how would they respond after a demoralizing road loss at Michigan? 

After the game, Riley shared his praise for the fight that his team showed against the Badgers.

"(Quarterback Miller Moss) really did (show fight)," said Riley on the broadcast. "The whole team did. We played an awesome second half. We did not play Trojan football in the first half with turnovers, uncharacteristic. But we rallied, two games in a row. We have to figure out how to play better in the first half. But we have a resilient group.”

To add to the intrigue of the game, former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who USC parted ways with less than a year ago, returned to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as the co-defensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers.

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Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) runs a route against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The first half of the game was marred by uncharacteristic Trojans turnovers. Standout quarterback Miller Moss completed 17 of his 23 first-half passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He was also sacked which resulted in a fumble recovered by the Badger defense and hurried in a handful of other passing attempts.

Star wide receiver and returner Zachariah Branch had three catches for 44 yards and a rushing attempt for 15 yards. Branch's mishap came on a muffed punt which resulted in a Wisconsin touchdown off a short-field sudden change. The Trojans also had four penalties which isn’t the worst, but the timing was brutal and helped stall drives for them and extend drives for Wisconsin.

The defense once again had issues stopping the run early as the Badgers carried the ball to the tune of 5.3 yards per attempt while also giving up two rushing touchdowns. The usually steady defensive back group also gave up some explosive plays including a 63-yard touchdown reception and a 35-yard reception. After a late first-half defensive stand, the Trojans trailed 21-10. 

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Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Down 11 at home isn’t ideal, but it certainly wasn’t an insurmountable amount either. The second half got off to a great start and the Trojans got some help immediately with a muffed punt from the Badgers. The hero of the game, wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, made one tremendous catch to keep a drive alone then made another ridiculous catch for a touchdown to bring the Trojans within four points by way of a 21-17 score. 

The Trojan defense started to play its part and helped to continue to shift the momentum and energy with a fourth and one stop on their own territory. This is where Miller Moss and the Trojan offense began to go into overdrive. The Trojans offense reeled off 14 unanswered points featuring a Moss passing and rushing touchdown.

As always after a win, the score is immaterial. There were no moral victories last week, and it's the same for anyone who gives a damn about a point spread? The Trojans were 15.5-point favorites and found themselves in a familiar position down double digits. This time, they found a way to respond AND finish the job. That’s it. That’s the story. There’s plenty to work on. Plenty to clean up. Plenty to critique.

Not tonight, though. The culture is improved. The defense responds. The Trojans improve to 3-1 and pick up the first Big Ten win. That's a good day at the office.

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