USC football bounces back with upset of No. 2 Ohio State

LOS ANGELES — USC bounced back in a big way from its humbling loss to Wisconsin, handing No. 2 Ohio State its first Big Ten loss of the season, 30-18, on Halloween night.

UCLA is the only undefeated team remaining in the conference after Saturday night.

The Trojans’ upset win will likely vault the Trojans (7-2 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) back into the AP Top 25 and give some job security to head coach Lincoln Riley, who has been on the hot seat this season.

True freshmen Trent Mosley and Mark Bowman shined. Mosley finished with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown and Bowman had three receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Maiava went 15 of 22 for 222 yards and one touchdown.

The two teams hit a combined seven field goals in the rain-soaked game, which was the first rainy game at the Coliseum since last season’s comeback win over Iowa.

USC executed Riley’s script perfectly just as the rain showers were beginning and scored on the second play of the game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava connected with Mosley for a short pass, and the freshman receiver ran the rest of the way for a 69-yard touchdown.

Bowman, who missed the last three games due to injury, made the initial block that allowed for the play to happen.

Mission Viejo product Luke Fahey started at quarterback for Ohio State (6-2, 4-1) in place of Julian Sayin, who is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, but the Buckeyes chose to establish the run game early.

Running back Bo Jackson led the charge down the field until Fahey threw his first pass, which was initially ruled an interception when USC safety Christian Pierce jumped up for the ball while dragging his toe to stay in bounds. Video review ruled that he was out, however, and Ohio State settled for a 39-yard field goal.

Waymond Jordan, who did not play in the previous weekend’s loss to Wisconsin, rushed for a 9-yard touchdown on a play that included a two-back set. Tight end Tucker Ashcraft and King Miller blocked while Jordan ran to his left, then stutter-stepped to redirect himself straight into the end zone for a 14-3 lead with 2:25 left in the opening quarter.

The two teams traded field goals to start the second frame.

Ohio State made a 34-yard field goal, then the USC coaching staff chose to bring in Ryon Sayeri for his first field goal attempt of the season. He hit the ball with just enough power to send it 54 yards and above the crossbar to bring the score to 17-6 in the Trojans’ favor.

Miller had the first lost fumble of his career with 5:28 to go until halftime, losing the ball when Earl Little, Jr. popped it out with his shoulder.

The Buckeyes were able to move down the field faster than expected due to a facemask penalty called on defensive end Zuriah Fisher that put them at the 12-yard line. Jackson and Isaiah West combined for runs that got Ohio State to the 3-yard line, and Fahey appeared to score on a quarterback keeper.

Video review concluded that his knee was down before the end zone, nullifying the touchdown. USC made a defensive stand to stall the drive and force Ohio State to choose a 23-yard field goal.

Caden Chittenden made a 36-yard field goal with one second remaining before the halftime break to keep the Trojans ahead, 20-9.

The Trojans’ defense was in the spotlight again on the other side of the break. Pierce tackled West to force a fumble, and defensive tackle Floyd Boucard scooped up the ball to get USC possession as rain continued to fall.

It took USC just three plays to go 68 yards and extend its advantage to 27-9. Maiava sent a pass over the middle to Bowman, who hurdled a defender and plowed through two more Buckeyes to get to the 3-yard line.

Miller had runs of 2 yards and 1 yard to get the ball in the end zone.

Ohio State made one final field goal of 47 yards at the start of the fourth quarter and tacked on a passing touchdown on a 1-yard shot from Fahey to Smith. The 2-point conversion failed.

The Trojans added a field goal to close out the game, and the defense did enough to secure the win. It held Smith to 83 yards — below his average of 140.6 per game — while giving up 464 total yards of offense.