USC stuns Ohio State 30-18 to save CFP hopes — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- USC defeated No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a win that keeps its College Football Playoff hopes alive and marks its most complete performance of the season.
- Lincoln Riley said the victory was 'a big one' and reaffirmed his commitment to USC, stating he is 'the right person for this job' amid growing scrutiny following a lopsided loss to Wisconsin one week prior.
- USC's defense held Ohio State without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter and stopped the Buckeyes on four of five red zone trips, despite Ohio State winning the possession battle by nearly 20 minutes.
- Freshmen Trent Mosley and Mark Bowman starred in the win, with Mosley recording 145 all-purpose yards and Bowman making a 71-yard catch-and-run highlighted by a hurdle and multiple broken tackles.
- Ryon Sayeri contributed with a 54-yard field goal, part of a special teams performance that avoided the usual miscues that have plagued USC this season.
- Ohio State was called for 11 penalties, contributing to its inefficiency, while USC played the more disciplined game despite being outgained by 126 yards.
Why it matters: USC’s win shifts the Big Ten and CFP landscape by handing Ohio State its second loss and giving the Trojans leverage in the conference race, while Riley retains control of a program whose trajectory now hinges on sustaining this level of performance beyond a single signature victory.
Ask SkimNews
