Trojans Rally, Then Run Away With It Against Badgers

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In a Big Ten Conference tilt at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the No. 13 USC Trojans (3-1, 1-1) knocked off the Wisconsin Badgers (2-2, 0-1). After falling behind early, Southern Cal rallied and put the Badgers away handily in the second half, prevailing 38-21.

With 469 total yards, USC outgained Wisconsin, which mustered only 285 in the game. Surprisingly, the Trojans even out-rushed the Badgers 161 yards to 105.

The Badgers were a formidable opponent. No Power Four team has a longer streak of consecutive winning seasons than Wisconsin. The team is seeking its 23rd straight winning season this year.

The win was important for the Trojans, following a heartbreaking loss to the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines (4-1, 2-0) in a game that, at least from the perspective of USC and its fans, was plagued by impactfully poor officiating.

Game Summary

Both teams came out hot, scoring touchdowns on explosive passing plays on their initial possessions. Receiving the ball first, the Trojans briskly marched down the field, and quarterback Miller Moss connected with wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane on a 32-yard touchdown strike less than three minutes into the game. The Badgers promptly responded with an impressive 63-yard TD toss from QB Braedyn Locke to WR Vinny Anthony II, evening the score 7-7.

Locke made his first start, following Tyler Van Dyke's season-ending ACL injury in Week 3.

Although the Trojans dominated time of possession in the first half and outgained the Badgers, they lost the turnover battle. Moss threw an interception, the Trojans butchered a punt return and the Badgers stripped the ball out of Moss' hands as the Trojans were in the red zone. The mishandled punt return was critical, as the ball was recovered by Wisconsin deep in USC territory, and the Badgers scored a touchdown on the very next play. Wisconsin took a 21-10 lead to the locker room at halftime.

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Trojans struck first in the second half, with the 6-foot-4 Lane's second receiving touchdown on a fade route just a few plays after the Badgers muffed a punt return.

In a critical play on the ensuing drive, USC stopped the Badgers on a fourth-and-inches play, when standout Trojans safety Kamari Ramsey darted into Wisconsin's backfield and blew up the Badgers' play. The Trojans then took the ball, drove down the field and scored another touchdown. The drive was highlighted by two passes from Moss to 6-foot-6 sophomore WR Duce Robinson, one of which was a 32-yard reception and the other an 8-yard TD reception. Moss demonstrated genuine poise on the TD pass to Robinson, as he was under heavy duress from blitzing Wisconsin defenders. That TD gave the Trojans the lead, 24-21.

In the very next series, Ramsey starred again for the USC defense terminating a Badgers' drive with a bone-jarring hit on a Wisconsin ball carrier as time elapsed in the third quarter.

The Trojans began the fourth quarter with a long steady march down the field, capped by a dramatic and adept run by Moss, in which he appeared to be channeling his inner Caleb Williams. That score gave Southern Cal a 31-21 lead.

The Badgers tried to rally, but threw a pick-six to USC linebacker Mason Cobb with just five minutes to go in the contest. After that play, the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt.

Lingering Issues for USC

Despite earning the win, the Trojans underperformed in certain important areas. The offensive line's pass protection was poor. Moss was under pressure all day and endured many big hits. To his credit, he was nimble in the pocket and yielded only 1 interception, while throwing for 3 TDs.

The Trojans' defense started slow, missing tackles and allowing explosive plays in the first half. However, in a performance somewhat reminiscent of the Michigan game, the defense stepped up and played well in the second half.

On Deck for the Trojans, Badgers

Next up for the Trojans, at 7:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 5, is a trip to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers ( 2-3, 0-2)—USC's second trip to the Great Lakes region in three weeks. The Badgers return to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. to host the Purdue Boilermakers ( 1-3, 0-1).