Trojans Reclaim Victory Bell in Slugfest With Bruins

@Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

It wasn't pretty, but the USC Trojans (6-5, 4-5 Big Ten Conference) overcame the UCLA Bruins (4-7, 3-6) in a hard-fought "Battle of LA." The game, which didn't finish until well past midnight EST, was plagued by penalties (mostly by UCLA) and inefficient offense on the part of both teams. Only two touchdowns were scored in the game, one by each of the crosstown rivals, and the final score was 19-13.

The narrow USC victory kept head coach Lincoln Riley's seat from getting any hotter than it already is due to a disappointing inaugural Big Ten season.

Game Summary

The leading scorers in this contest were the two placekickers, Michael Lantz for USC and Mateen Bhaghani for UCLA. With 4 field goals and an extra point, Lantz tallied 13 points for the Trojans, while Bhaghani scored 7 for the Bruins.

The only scores in the first half were field goals, and the Trojans took a 9-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, the Bruins took the lead 10-9 on a 10-yard TD pass from quarterback Ethan Garbers to 6-foot-6 senior tight end Moliki Matavao. Before the end of the quarter, they extended the lead to 13-9 on a 29-yard Bhaghani FG.

In the fourth quarter, USC's defense dominated, allowing the Trojans to take a 16-13 lead at the midpoint of the final stanza on a 4-yard TD pass from QB Jayden Maiava to wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane. That score was set up by a well-executed trick play in which WR Makai Lemon completed a 39-yard pass to fellow WR Kyron Hudson.

The USC defense registered 3 sacks and mostly kept the Bruins' offense in check, with the exception of WR Micahel Sturdivant, who made spectacular catches and finished the evening with 117 receiving yards.

Trojans Ring Victory Bell

The victor of the annual USC-UCLA football game takes year-long possession of the Victory Bell, in a tradition dating back more than 80 years. After relinquishing the Victory Bell last year, the Trojans took it back when their defense stifled the Bruins, holding them scoreless for the fourth quarter.

USC now leads the all-time series 51-34-7. Two USC victories—in 2004 and 2005—are not officially counted due to NCAA sanctions imposed on the Trojans.

Next Up

With only four wins and one game remaining, the Bruins will not be able to attain bowl eligibility. Hence, their matchup with Fresno State (6-5, 4-3 Mountain West Conference) on Nov. 30 in Pasadena, Calif. will be their final game of the season. The Trojans seek their third consecutive win at 3:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 30 when they host the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a game with major postseason ramifications.