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The No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten Conference) scored in the final 37 seconds to upset the No. 11 USC Trojans (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten), 27-24, on Sept. 21 in Ann Arbor, Mich., for the first meeting between the two schools as members of the B1G.
Game Summary
The Wolverines provided a Big Ten welcome to USC, showing the Trojans how physical the conference is.
Michigan pounded the rock against USC, out-rushing the Trojans 290 to 96. The impact play was a 63-yard Kalel Mullings rush that set up the game-winning touchdown for Michigan with less than two minutes to play. On fourth-and-goal, Mullings scored for Michigan to go up 27-24 with 37 seconds to play.
The Wolverines got a much-needed win over an undefeated USC squad to pick up their first conference win of the season and first win over the Trojans as members of the Big Ten.
Mullings had a big day on the ground. Other than the big rush on the game-winning touchdown drive, he set the tone and exploded with a 53-yard rushing touchdown to open the scoring with less than four minutes in the first quarter. Mullings rushed for 159 yards on the day.
Star running back Donovan Edwards’ name was called and he busted off a 41-yard touchdown rush to go up 14-0 with 7:18 left in the second quarter, too.
However, it was Edwards, who almost cost the Wolverines the game. Edwards coughed up the football with 8:35 left, setting up USC on the Michigan 19. Quarterback Miller Moss hit Ja'Kobi Lane to secure USC’s first lead, 24-20.
Moss almost led another comeback for the Trojans. He helped USC to a big second half after being sacked four times by the Michigan defensive front. Moss threw for 3 touchdowns and 283 yards.
Moss wasn’t perfect in the second half. He threw right to Michigan’s corner Will Johnson into the flat, which he took back for the touchdown, making it 20-10.
Then, on third-and-goal for the Trojans, Moss fumbled, but luckily for USC, Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant coughed it up, resetting the drive in its favor.
Moss and USC took advantage of the second chance and capped the drive on a pass to Jay Fair on a busted coverage for a 16-yard touchdown, bringing it within three points, 20-17, because of a missed extra point from Michigan.
Michigan quarterback Alex Orji didn’t have to do much in his first start. His legs just added another threat in the ground game, which was the key to success for Michigan. He finished his first start, after taking over for the benched Davis Warren, throwing for 32 yards while rushing for 43.
His lack of air yards didn't matter as the Wolverines' rushing attack got the job done for the win.
Turning Point
There were a couple of turning points in the game with two lead changes, but the most impactful one was Mullings’ rush on the game-winning drive.
Michigan’s offense was nonexistent in the second half and couldn’t run the ball at all like it did in the first. Mullings finally found running room and sparked the offense to go down and score.
What It Means: Michigan
With the win, Michigan gets a big ranked win at home, moving the Wolverines to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in the Big Ten. Michigan hosts Minnesota (2-1) for its last of the five home-game stand to open the season
What It Means: USC
The loss means USC is no longer undefeated at 2-1. It also means the Trojans are 0-1 in the conference, which is not a great start to their Big Ten experience. USC gets to head back home and hosts Wisconsin (2-1) for a bounce-back game.
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