USC’s offense struggled with ball control, giving up three turnovers during a loss at Minnesota Saturday night.
Miller Moss interception seals USC loss
Minnesota 24, No. 11 USC 17, end of fourth quarter
Minnesota fans rushed the field after holding off USC’s strong push for an equalizer in the final minute of the game.
USC started on its 25.
Miller Moss tossed an incomplete pass to Ja’Kobi Lane. Moss’ next pass to Lane also was incomplete, but Minnesota was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 15-yard penalty.
On first down at the USC 40 with 45 seconds left, Moss passed to Duce Robinson for 16 yards to the Minnesota 44.
With 31 seconds left, Moss tossed an incomplete pass to Lane. On second and 10 with 28 seconds left, Moss again tossed an incomplete pass to Lane. On third and 10 with 23 seconds left, Moss passed to Makai Lemon for 16 yards.
On first down at the Minnesota 28 with 15 seconds left, Moss’ pass to the end zone was intercepted.
Minnesota was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the interception but retained possession of the ball.
Minnesota then ran out the clock to seal the win and Golden Gophers fans rushed the field.
Minnesota scores, takes the lead with 57 seconds left
Minnesota 24, No. 11 USC 17, 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter
Minnesota started on its 25.
Max Brosmer passed for 22 yards. Brosmer rushed for nine yards and Darius Taylor rushed for another two yards, moving the ball to the USC 42.
Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for 16 yards, quickly moving Minnesota to the USC 26.
Marcus Major rushed for eight yards. Taylor ran for another three yards to the USC 15 with 3:01 left in the fourth quarter.
Taylor ran for eight yards to the USC 7.
The clock hit two minutes and triggered the official timeout.
Taylor ran for three yards, one yard and two yards to the USC one. On third and goal at the USC one with 1:48 left, Brosmer ran for no gain. On fourth and goal at the USC one, officials ruled Brosmer ran for no gain. After a review, it was ruled a touchdown and Minnesota hit the extra point.
USC drive stalls, Trojans punt
No. 11 USC 17, Minnesota 17, 6:21 left in the fourth quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
Miller Moss was sacked for a loss of nine yards and was called for intentional grounding.
On second-and-19 at the USC 16, Moss passed to Kyron Hudson for 15 yards. On third-and-four, Moss tossed an incomplete pass.
On fourth-and-four at the USC 31, USC punted. Minnesota returned it three yards to the Golden Gophers’ 10-yard line. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was called for a personal foul on the tackle, moving the ball to the Minnesota 25.
Minnesota completes touchdown drive after Miller Moss interception
No. 11 USC 17, Minnesota 17, 7:09 left in the fourth quarter
Minnesota took over on its 35 after the Miller Moss interception.
Max Brosmer passed to Darius Taylor for 22 yards. Taylor then ran for 19 yards.
Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for four yards, but Minnesota was called for holding.
On first-and-16 at the USC 30, Brosmer passed to Jameson Geers for five yards. On second-and-11, Brosmer’s pass was incomplete, but USC was called for pass interference. On first-and-goal at the USC 10, Marcus Major ran for five yards. Brosmer then ran for a five-yard touchdown and Minnesota hit the extra point.
Strong USC drive ends with Miller Moss interception
No. 11 USC 17, Minnesota 10, 10:17 left in the fourth quarter
USC started on its four-yard line.
Miller Moss tossed an incomplete pass. Woody Marks then rushed up the middle for 20 yards.
USC was called for delay of game. On first-and-15, Marks ran for 14 yards, moving the ball to the USC 33. Moss then passed to Kyle Ford for 10 yards.
Marks ran for one yard and Minnesota was callde for a personal foul, moving the ball to the Minnesota 41.
Marks ran for five yards and the for another yard. On third-and-four at the Minnesota 35, Moss was hit as a threw and tossed an interception.
Minnesota took over on its 35.
USC forces Minnesota to punt to open fourth quarter
No. 11 USC 17, Minnesota 10, 14:54 left in the fourth quarter
Minnesota returned USC’s kickoff to the 17.
Max Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for six yards. Darius Taylor rushed for three yards. Taylor ran for another seven yards and a first down.
Max Brosmer was sacked for a six-yard loss. Brosmer then passed to Taylor for 14 yards, moving theball to the Minnesota 42. On third-and-two, Taylor rushed for no gain. On fourth-and-two, Taylor ran for two yards.
Brosmer passed to Taylor for eight yards. Brosmer then passed ot Marcus Major for nine yards, moving the ball to the USC 39.
Brosmer’s next pass was incomplete. Taylor rushed for two yards as time expired in the third quarter.
On third-and-eight to start the fourth quarter, Brosmer tossed an incomplete pass that was deflected by USC.
Minnesota punted and downed the ball at the USC 4.
USC starts third quarter with a touchdown drive
No. 11 USC 17, Minnesota 10, 5:47 left in the third quarter
USC started on its 9.
Woody Marks rushed for six yards. Miller Moss passed to Kyron Hudson for 15 yards. Marks rushed for six yards and Moss passed to Marks for seven yards, moving the ball to the USC 43.
Marks rushed for three yards. Moss then passed to Duce Robinson for 14 yards, moving the ball to the Minnesota 40.
Moss passed to Zachariah Branch for seven yards. Marks then rushed for nine yards. Moss passed to Hudson for seven yards, moving the ball to the Minnesota 17.
On second-and-three, Marks rushed for 16 yards to the Minnesota one. Moss ran for no gain, then Marks took a direct snap and ran in for a one-yard touchdown. Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
USC defense forces Minnesota to punt on opening drive of third quarter
No. 11 USC 10, Minnesota 10, 12:59 left in the third quarter
Minnesota started on its 25.
Max Brosmer passed to Marcus Major for 25 yards.
Darius Taylor ran for two yards, Major ran for one yard and Brosmer tossed an incomplete pass on third-and-seven at the USC 47.
Minnesota punted to the USC 9.
USC kicks off to Minnesota to start third quarter
No. 11 USC 10, Minnesota 10, start of third quarter
USC kicked off for a touchback to open the third quarter.
USC pounces on fumble and hits long field goal to close second quarter
No. 11 USC 10, Minnesota 10, end of second quarter
Minnesota started on its 26 after the fumble.
Darius Taylor ran for seven yards and then another two yards. On third-and-one, USC was called offside.
Taylor rushed for five yards. Max Brosmer passed to Taylor for eight yards before he fumbled and USC recovered.
USC took over at its 47 with 26 seconds left in the second quarter.
Miller Moss passed to Woody Marks for 17 yards. Moss passed to Zachariah Branch four yards to the Minnesota 32 with 19 seconds left.
On second-and-six at the Minnesota 32 with 11 seconds left, Moss tossed an incomplete pass to Branch.
Michael Lantz lined up for a field goal and Minnesota called timeout. Lantz lined up for a field goal, but USC was called for a false start. Lantz lined up again and hit a 54-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
Strong USC drive thwarted by a fumble
Minnesota 10, No. 11 USC 7, 2:00 left in second quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
Zachariah Branch ran for two yards. Miller Moss tossed an incomplete pass intended to for Ja’Kobi Lane. Moss passed to Makai Lemon for 18 yards. Quinten Joyner ran for eight yards to the Minnesota 47.
Joyner then ran for 21 yards to the Minnesota 26 before fumbling. The ball was recovered by the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota responds to USC score with a touchdown drive
Minnesota 10, No. 11 USC 7, 4:11 left in second quarter
Minnesota started on its 25 after the touchback.
Max Brosmer passed to Daniel Jackson for 10 yards. Marcus Major then ran up the middle for seven yards.
Darius Taylor gashed the USC defense for 40 yards and the Trojans were called for a facemask, moving the ball to the USC 9.
On first-and-goal, Taylor ran for two yards. Brosmer’s pass was incomplete, but USC was called for offsides and pass interference, moving the ball to the USC 2.
Taylor ran for a loss of five yards, mvoing the ball to the Trojans’ seven. On second-and-goal, Brosmer passed to Cristian Driver for six yards. It was called a touchdown on the field, but review showed Driver stepped out at the one-yard line.
Brosmer kept the ball and dove for a one-yard touchdown. Minnesota hit the extra point.
USC opens second quarter with touchdown drive
No. 11 USC 7, Minnesota 3, 7:16 left in second quarter
USC faced second-and-10 on its 25 to start the second quarter.
Woody Marks ran for seven yards. On third-and-three, Marks ran for four yards.
Moss’ next pass was batted down and fell incomplete. Marks ran seven yards. On third-and-three, Moss passed to Kyron Hudson for 12 yards.
Marks ran for 13 yards to the Minnesota 32.
Moss then looked deep and pass toward Zachariah Branch in the end zone, but it sailed long and fell incomplete.
Moss passed to Duce Robinson for six yards. On third-and-four, Marks ran for 10 yards to the Minnesota 16.
Bryan Jackson ran for two yards. Moss passed to Marks for six yards. On third-and-two, Moss passed to Makai Lemon and he fought three yards.
On first-and-goal at the Minnesota 5, Marks ran for two yards. Moss then passed to Duce Robinson across the middle for a two-yard touchdown. Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
USC closes sluggish first quarter with the ball
Minnesota 3, No. 11 USC 0, end of first quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
Miller Moss’ pass to Duce Robinson was incomplete to close the first quarter.
Minnesota hits a field goal to take an early lead
Minnesota 3, No. 11 USC 0, seven seconds left in the first quarter
Minnesota started on its 37.
Darius Taylor ran for three yards. Max Brosmer passed to Elijah Spencer for 10 yards. Marcus Major ran for 12 yards. Taylor ran for seven yards and then ran for another nine yards, quickly moving the ball to the USC 22.
Brosmer ran for four yards. Major then ran fo r aloss of one yard. On third-and-seven at the USC 19, Minnesota called timeout. After the break, Taylor ran for five yards.
Dragon Kesich hit a 32-yard field to give Minnesota the lead.
USC goes three-and-out
No. 11 USC 0, Minnesota 0, 5:32 left in the first quarter
USC started on its 10.
Woody Marks rushed for a loss of three yards. Marks then ran for six yards to the USC 13. On third-and-seven, Miller Moss tossed an incomplete pass intended for Kyron Hudson.
USC punted to the Minnesota 37.
USC defense gets its first stop
No. 11 USC 0, Minnesota 0, 6:49 left in the first quarter
Minnesota started on its 30-yard line.
Max Brosmer passed to Darius Taylor for four yards. Taylor then rushed for 17 yards to the Golden Gophers’ 49.
Taylor ran again but was dropped for a loss of two yards. Marcus Major ran for five yards. On third-and-seven at the USC 46, Brosmer tossed an incomplete pass under pressure from Kamari Ramsey.
Minnesota punted out of bounds at the USC 10.
USC misses field goal on opening drive
No. 11 USC 0, Minnesota 0, 9:25 left in the first quarter
USC started on its 25.
Miller Moss passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for six yards. Moss passed to Woody Marks for no gain. And Moss found Lane again for six yards.
Marks rushed for six yards, moving the ball to the USC 44. Moss then passed to Kyron Hudson for five yards and a first down.
Moss passed to Kyle Ford for seven yards. Quitin Joyner ran for nine and then another six. Moss passed to Zachariah Branch for a loss of one yard, placing the ball at the Minnesota 30. Moss’ next pass to Branch was incomplete.
Michael Lantz missed a 47-yard field goal, closing a promising opening drive with zero points.
And we’re off ...
No. 11 USC 0, Minnesota 0, start of the first quarter
Minnesota won the toss and elected to kick off. There was touchback. USC will start on its 25.
USC linebacker Eric Gentry to miss Minnesota game
USC linebacker Eric Gentry, who was knocked out of the Trojans’ game against Wisconsin, will miss tonight’s game at Minnesota.
Some pregame updates from Times reporter Ryan Kartje, who is at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.
USC can reach the playoff thanks to a tough quarterback who never stops swinging
The fans were booing. The big guys weren’t tackling. The skill guys weren’t catching. The coach’s failures were hovering.
As USC took the field at the start of the second half at an angry Coliseum Saturday afternoon, the Trojans trailed Wisconsin by double digits amid the suffocating scent of here we go again.
Enter their tousle-haired, eye-blacked breath of fresh air.
Enter the antithesis of a modern-day college quarterback, a three-year backup who didn’t transfer, didn’t walk out, didn’t sell out.
USC linebacker Raesjon Davis to redshirt this season
When Raesjon Davis arrived in 2021, during the last gasps of the Clay Helton era at USC, the four-star linebacker from Santa Ana Mater Dei looked like he could make an immediate impact at a position where USC desperately needed it.
Those stars never quite aligned. But as other members of that last Helton class would depart in droves — 14 of 23 ended up transferring — Davis continued to bide his time, bouncing from one linebacker coach, one defensive coordinator to another … and another, hoping it would be different.
As a senior this season, Davis still wasn’t making the impact he hoped. So this week, he met with Lincoln Riley to discuss sitting out the rest of the season, in hopes that he’d preserve his final season of eligibility and play as a redshirt senior.
Davis’ father, Rashad, confirmed to The Times that his hope is not to enter the transfer portal, but to continue practicing this season and return to USC next season. Whether that’s how it will happen remains to be seen.
Is Miller Moss taking too many hits? Lincoln Riley isn’t too concerned
Miller Moss could see, as he scanned the scene on a critical red zone third down last Saturday, that a big hit was probably in his future. It was simple math. USC had an extra receiver out wide. Wisconsin had six in the box. Somebody was going to run free. And he would probably pay the price.
The USC quarterback checked with his center, Jonah Monheim, where protection would slide. That way he’d know where the free runner was coming from. But when he snapped the ball, three Badger blitzers broke loose.
Somehow, Moss still managed to sling a pass off his back foot before all three came crashing down on him. And somehow, his pass miraculously found wideout Duce Robinson in traffic for the go-ahead score.
No. 11 USC vs. Minnesota: How to watch the game, plus betting odds
No. 11 USC (3-1) will look to pick up its first road win in the Big Ten on Saturday when it takes on Minnesota (2-3) at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PDT. The game will air on the Big Ten Network and will be available on 710 AM in the Los Angeles area.
Here are the latest betting odds for the game:
