USC wins defensive battle, ends UCLA’s bowl hopes

On By Littum

NCAA Football: Southern California at UCLANovember 23, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala (2) tries to run past USC Trojans cornerback Jacobe Covington (14) and safety Anthony Beavers Jr. (15) during the first quarter at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Jayden Maiava’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Kobi Lane midway through the fourth quarter proved the game-winning score for Southern California, which escaped a defensive struggle with rival and host UCLA 19-13 on Saturday in Pasadena, Calif.

USC (6-5, 4-5 Big Ten) went the first 53:05 of the game without scoring a touchdown against a strong UCLA defensive effort. Each of the Trojans’ three first-half scores came on Michael Lantz field goals of 19, 23 and 22 yards.

USC’s touchdown came at an opportune time. After the Trojans’ first three possessions of the second half produced 17 total yards, they got a boost when a punt by UCLA’s Brody Richter went just 25 yards to set up USC at the Bruins’ 49-yard line.

On the second possession, the Trojans ignited their stagnant offense with some tricks. Makai Lemon took a lateral pass from Maiava and then found a streaking Kyron Hudson down the sideline for 39 yards to the UCLA 4.

That led to Maiava’s throw to Lane, who made a spectacular, toe-drag reception to stay inside under pressure.

Mason Cobb came up big for USC on the defensive end, holding quarterback Ethan Garbers for no gain on a fourth-and-1 sneak attempt.

Another field goal by Lantz, this one covering 30 yards, gave USC a six-point cushion that forced UCLA to try to move the ball 75 yards in just over two minutes.

The Bruins (4-7, 3-6) had four straight pass attempts go incomplete, ending UCLA’s bowl-game hopes in the process.

Maiava finished with 221 yards on 19-of-35 passing in his second start for USC. Hudson caught six passes for 79 yards and Woody Marks rushed for 76 yards on 18 carries.

Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Braylan Shelby and Nate Clifton all produced sacks to punctuate the Trojans’ strong defensive effort. The 13 points USC gave up Saturday were the Trojans’ fewest in a conference game since a 56-10 blowout of former Pac-12 opponent Stanford last September.

Garbers went 20-of-29 passing for 265 yards and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Moliki Matavao in the third quarter to give UCLA a 10-9 lead. The Bruins’ other points came on field goals of 51 and 29 yards by Mateen Bhaghani.

–Field-level media