LOS ANGELES — Tight end Mark Bowman suited up and played for USC on Saturday evening against Ohio State, marking the true freshman’s first game since the Sept. 26 contest against Oregon.
Bowman was a game-time decision on the game-day availability report, as well as on the reports throughout the week.
Bowman’s presence was felt early when he had a key block that allowed receiver Trent Mosley to make a quick catch from quarterback Jayden Maiava and run 69 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the game.
Heading into the game, Bowman also had 21 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart also was in the game after being listed as a game-time decision. Stewart has been dealing with a foot injury, but didn’t appear to be held back on Ohio State’s first possession.
Stewart pressured freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, who was in for an injured Julian Sayin, and forced him to release a bad pass down the left side of the field and into the hands of safety Christian Pierce.
The play was reviewed, however, and Pierce was ruled out of bounds and was not credited with the interception.
Left guard Hayden Treter, who was listed as out for the game, was seen before the game wearing a full-leg brace on his left leg. Kannon Smith started in his place, marking the freshman’s first collegiate start.
Luke Fahey starting
Fahey, a Mission Viejo High School product, beat out teammate Tavien St. Clair for Saturday’s starting quarterback job.
Fahey was the Orange County Register’s 2025 All-County Player of the Year and led the Diablos to an Alpha League title and the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs as a senior, completing 71 percent of his passes for 3,199 yards and 25 touchdowns.
He completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards in the first half in his first collegiate start.
Tunnel captain
Former USC quarterback and national championship winner Paul McDonald was the tunnel captain for the team entrance before Ohio State.
McDonald was the quarterback for the Trojans squad that defeated Ohio State in the 1980 Rose Bowl and is also attended high school at Bishop Amat High School. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft.
Rain at kickoff
The Los Angeles weather forecast called for rain late on Saturday evening, but it started to fall during the 4:30 kickoff, and skies did not clear up for the sold-out game.
“I don’t think the Cali guys are used to it as much, but a little rainfall heals the soul,” defensive end Luke Wafle — who’s from New Jersey — said of practicing and playing in the rain.
It was the first rain at the Coliseum for a USC football game since last season’s 26-21 win over Iowa. Rain soaked the field in the comeback win that saw Maiava throw for 254 yards and a touchdown and Makai Lemon haul in 10 catches for 153 yards and one touchdown.