The Athletic College Football
USC tops LSU as Miller Moss outduels Garrett Nussmeier
In a matchup of new starting quarterbacks with big shoes to fill and new defensive coordinators with big messes to clean up, No. 23 USC outlasted No. 13 LSU 27-20 in Las Vegas on Sunday night in one of the best games of college football’s first full weekend. A 13-yard rushing touchdown by Woody Marks with eight seconds to play capped a frantic final sequence, with both teams trading scores.
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Riley's first signature win
Lincoln Riley has his first signature win at USC. It comes in the opener of his third season as coach of the Trojans. It's one game on a neutral field, but maybe these Trojans are constructed to handle life in the Big Ten better than most assumed?
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Vegas always delivers
Miller Moss and Garrett Nussmeier providing what Week 1 of the 2024 CFB season had been sorely lacking until now: a spectacle. Week 1 was bordering on being a dud but it is officially a dud no more. Vegas always delivers.
Kyron Hudson again
A second unbelievable catch for Hudson, and now a targeting call. We'll see if that call stands. Either way, the Trojans are in good shape.
The plan for the Trojans
Think it's pretty clear Lincoln Riley is playing for the FG here. Only 30 seconds left.
LSU keeps moving
Garrett Nussmeier keeps the LSU offense rolling, and the Tigers are in the red zone with 2:40 to play.
Big play for Tigers
Garrett Nussmeier completes a 41-yard pass to Aaron Anderson, and the Tigers are inside the Trojans' 30.
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Miller Moss' big night
USC's quarterback has surpassed the 300-yard mark through the air with that touchdown pass to give the Trojans a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter.
Trojans' running game is struggling
USC's rushed for 39 yards tonight. It's an issue that stems back to last season when the Trojans struggled to run the ball against UCLA and in the Holiday Bowl. The offense needs more balance over the long term.
USC defense continues its work
USC just came up with a third-and-1 stop. LSU will be forced to punt. Big stop by Eric Gentry. The defense has done its part tonight.
Just how good are these teams?
These look like two teams that will end up being fifth or so in their conference.
Big stop for USC defense
USC's defense just came up with a much-needed stop and got the ball back to its offense but the Trojans offense has had a rough go of it in the second half. It hasn't sustained much in its past few drives. It's trailing by four, 17-13, with 13:25 now and could use a timely response right about now
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Tigers going to the run
Surprised it took LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan that long to really test USC's will to stop the run. The Tigers go to the ground with their rotation of backs and, voila, it leads to an eventual touchdown and the lead.
Jayden Daniels enjoyed that one
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is on the LSU sideline tonight.
Tigers responding again
Every time USC has taken the lead, LSU has responded immediately, and the Tigers are driving again, into the red zone late in the third quarter.
USC driving again
Miller Moss pass complete to Kyle Ford gets the Trojans on the move in Tigers' territory.
Defenses stepping up early in second half
Both teams go three-and-out on their first offensive drives to start the second half, and we're still tied at 10-10.
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QB play has been strong
LSU's Garrett Nussmeier has completed 20-of-24 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown.
USC's Miller Moss has completed 13-of-15 passes for 176 yards.
USC kicking game is still an issue
USC's kicking game continues to be a sore spot. The Trojans brought in Georgia Southern transfer Michael Lantz this offseason to provide some stability, but he came up empty in his first big moment. Lantz missed a 29-yard FG that would've given USC a three-point lead heading into half. Now it's tied at 10-10 going into the break.
Halftime stats
Total offense: LSU 237, USC 207
Passing yards: LSU 191, USC 176
Rushing yards: LSU 46, USC 31
First downs: LSU 15, USC 10
