USC overcomes mistakes to rally past Wisconsin for Big Ten win
The nation’s most electric returner looked up as a second-quarter Wisconsin punt came hurtling in his direction. Zachariah Branch had fielded so many kicks just like it. But as this one drew closer and a decision drew near, for a split-second the USC sophomore hesitated.
It was an uncharacteristic mistake at the start of an error-filled afternoon, a fitting moment to explain a mostly calamitous first half. The ball careened off Branch’s outstretched arms, slipped through another USC player’s hands and was eventually corralled by Wisconsin. And with it, any hope of a smooth, bounce-back spot for No. 13 USC in its Big Ten home opener seemed to slip away, fading into another ambling start.
What USC got instead was a confounding afternoon that even the Trojans and their coach — and anyone in attendance at a sold-out Coliseum, for that matter — would probably struggle to explain. It was filled with an equal mix of first-half frustration and second-half steely resolve. A slow, painful start defined by mistakes like Branch’s botched return gave way to a resounding, confident second half defined by the exact opposite.
USC climbed out of a halftime hole to score four unanswered touchdowns, walking away with a 38-21 win over Wisconsin, its first in the Big Ten.
USC runs out clock on first Big Ten win
No. 13 USC 38, Wisconsin 21, end of fourth quarter
USC took over on its 12-yard line.
Miller Moss stayed on the sideline with the win in hand.
Woody Marks ran for five yards, then Quinten Joyner ran for 11 yards.
Joyner ran for another two yards before Wisconsin called timeout with 1:53 remaining. Backup quarterback Jayden Maiava ran for seven yards. On third-and-one, Bryan Jackson ran for nine yards.
USC took a knee to run out the clock on the Trojans’ win.
USC defense stuffs Wisconsin offense despite long kickoff return
No. 13 USC 38, Wisconsin 21, 3:00 left in the fourth quarter
After USC was called for a post-touchdown end zone celebration, USC kicked off from its 20-yard line.
Vinny Anthony returned the kickoff 74 yards to the USC 18.
Tawee Walker ran for one yard. Wisconsin was called fror an illegal snap and moved five yards back.
On second-and-14, Bradeyn Locke passed to Bryson Green for nine yards. On third-and five, the Badgers were called for false start. Locke then passed to the back of the end zone and out of bounds. On fourth-and-10, USC called timeout.
Locke passed to Green for six yards, four short of a first down, and the Badgers turned the ball over on downs.
USC’s Mason Cobb scores on a pick six
No. 13 USC 38, Wisconsin 21, 5:04 left in the fourth quarter
Wisconsin started at its 47.
Chez Mellusi ran for two yards. Braedyn Locke then tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-eight, Mason Cobb intercepted a Locke pass and ran it back for a 55-yard touchdown. USC was called for a celebration penalty in the end zone.
USC hit the extra point to extend its lead and extend the Trojans’ dominant second half.
USC goes three-and-out
No. 13 USC 31, Wisconsin 21, 5:19 left in the fourth quarter
USC started on its 15-yard line.
Miller Moss went into the medical tent after bouncing his head off the turf at the end of his touchdown sprint into the end zone.
But Moss returned to the field to lead the USC offense.
Moss dropped back to pass and Quinten Joyner dropped an incomplete pass that was off target.
Woody Marks ran for two yards. On third-and-eight, Moss passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for a three-yard loss while under pressure.
USC punted and Tyrell Henry returned it four yards to the Wisconsin 47.
USC defense picks up another big stop
No. 13 USC 31, Wisconsin 21, 7:19 left in the fourth quarter
Wisconsin started on its 25-yard line.
Tawee Walker ran for 12 yards. Braedyn Locke then passed to Darrion Dupree for four yards. USC’s Eric Gentry was injured on the play and officials called a timeout.
On second-and-six at the Wisconsin 41, Locke’s pass was incomplete. Locke’s next pass was also incomplete under pressure and the Badgers were called for holding on the play. USC didn’t accept the penalty.
On fourth-and-six on the Wisconsin 41, the Badgers punted and Zachariah Branch took a fair catch at the Trojans’ 15.
Miller Moss delivers touchdown run to extend USC lead
No. 13 USC 31, Wisconsin 21, 8:22 left in the fourth quarter
Wisconsin punted Zachariah Branch returned it four yards to the USC 23.
Woody Marks ran for four yards. Miller Moss then passed to Makrs for 13 yards. Moss passed to Quinten Joyner for 10 yards to move the ball to the 50-yard line.
Moss passed deep to Kyron Hudson for 21 yards.
USC was called for false start. On first-and-15 at the Wisconsin 34, Moss passed to Ford for 14 yards. Joyner ran for four yards to the Wisconsin 16.
Marks ran for no gain. Moss passed to Marks for eight yards. On third-and-two, Marks got one yard.
On fourth-and-one at the Wisconsin seven, Moss faked a handoff, spun and then spun again while falling backward into the end zone. It was called a touchdown on the field. It was reviewed and the ruling was confirmed.
USC hit the extra point to extend its lead.
USC defense picks up big stop as time expires in third quarter
No. 13 USC 24, Wisconsin 21, end of third quarter
Wisconsin started on its 25 after the USC kickoff.
Chez Mellusi ran for five yards and then carried again for no gain. On third-and-five at the Wisconsin 30, Braedyn Locke passed to Will Pauling for a loss of two yards as Kamari Ramsey immediately tackled Pauling.
USC reclaims lead on Miller Moss touchdown pass
No. 13 USC 24, Wisconsin 21, 1:28 left in the third quarter
USC takes over at its 33 after stopping Wisconsin on fourth down.
Woody Marks ran for nine yards. Miller Moss passed to Kade Eldridge for two yards and the first down.
On first down at the USC 44, Marks ran for no gain. Moss’ pass to Jay Fair was incomplete, but Wisconsin was called for holding on the play.
On first down a the Wisconsin 46, Moss’ pass to Duce Robinson fell incomplete. The Trojans were called for an ineligible receiver down field and the Badgers were called for roughing the passer, offsetting.
Play was stopped for further review to determine of whether there was targeting. Refs determined there was no foul on the play.
On first down at the Wisconsin 46, Moss’ pass was broken up. Marks then ran for three yards. Moss passed to Robinson for 32 yards to the Wisconsin 11.
Marks ran for three yards, Moss tossed an incompplete pass and Moss passed to Robinson for an eight-yard touchdown.
USC hit the extra point and how leads the Badgers.
USC defense stuffs Wisconsin on fourth down, forces turnover
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 17, 5:44 left in the third quarter
Wisconsin returned the USC kickoff to the Badgers’ 18.
Chez Mellusi ran for two yards. Braedyn Locke passed CJ Williams was broken up. On third-and-eigt, Locke passed to Bryson Green for 15 yards.
On first down at the Wisconsin 37, Tawee Walker ran for six yards. Locke seemed to be trying to throw the ball away, but Mellusi pulled it in for 15 yards.
Walker ran for six yards. On second-and-four, Locke was hit as he passed the ball it fell incomplete. USC wanted offensive pass interfernce on the call the Trojans could have gotten to if nto held, but they got no flag. On third-and-four, Lcoke passed to Vinny Anthony for four yards. It was ruled a first down on the field before review determined it was short.
On fourth-and-inches at the USC 33, Walker was stopped by Kamari Ramsey for no gain and a turnover on downs.
USC takes over at its 33.
Ja’Kobi Lane racks up more highlight catches as USC scores
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 17, 9:18 left in the third quarter
USC started on the Wisconsin 30 after the muffed punt.
Woody Marks ran for threeyards. Miller Moss tossed a dangerous incomplete pass to Kyle Ford that was nearly picked off. On third-and-seven, Moss pased to Ja’Kobi Lane for nine yards.
Moss passed to Zachariah Branch for no gain. Moss then tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-10, Moss passed to Lane for nine yards but USC was called for illegal formation for a loss of five yards.
On third-and-15 at the Wisconsin 23, Moss rolled to the right out of the pocket and passed to Lane for a 15-yard gain.
On first and-goal at the eight, Marks took a direct snap for two yards. On second-and-goal at the Wisconsin six, Moss passed to Duce Robinson, who got the ball knocked out of his hands. On third-and-goal, Moss’ fade pass to the right corner of the end zone was pulled in by Lane for an eight-yard touchdown. USC hit the extra point to trim the Wisconsin lead.
It’s been a big game and hot start to the season for Lane, who is compiling an impressive number of difficult catches.
USC drive stalls, but Wisconsin muffs the punt
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 10, 12:51 left in the third quarter
USC started on its 32-yard line.
Miller Moss passed toward Duce Robinson and landed incomplete just past Robinson’s outstretched arms. On second down, Moss was hit as he released the ball for an incomplete pass. On third down, Moss passed to Ja’Kobi Lane along the right sideline and it fell incomplete.
USC punted. Wisconsin’s Preston Zachman muffed the punt and USC’s Hank Pepper recovered at the Wisconsin 30.
USC defense forces critical punt to open third quarter
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 10, 13:20 left in the third quarter
Wisconsin started on its 25 after the touchback.
Tawee Walker ran for two yards and then for a four-yard loss. Braedyn Locke passed to Vinny Anthony for 11 yards, but Wisconsin was called for illegal formation.
On third-and-12 on the Wisconsin 18, Locke’s pass was low and incomplete.
Wisconsin punted and it was downed a the USC 32-yard line.
USC defense holds, but offense can’t score before halftime
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 10, halftime
Wisconsin started on its 24.
Chez Mellusi ran for three yards. On the next carry, Mullusoi ran no gain, but USC was called for a personal foul and 15-yard loss. On first down at the Wisconsin 43, Mellusi ran for four yards and play then stopped for the two minute timeout.
Mellusi ran for seven yards and Tawee Walker ran for anoter time.
On second-and-eight at the USC 44 with 1:23 left in the second quarter, the Trojans called timeout.
Braedyn Locke tossed an incomplete pass intended for Will Pauling. On third-and-eight, Locke’s pass was tipped and fell incomplete. On fourth-and-eight with 1:16 left, Wisconsin called timeout.
USC was called for holding on the punt, starting the drive on its four-yard line.
Miller Moss passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for nien yards and then to Zachariah Branch for three yards and a first down.
On first down at the USC 16, Lane gained five yards. With five seconds left, Moss tossed an incomplete pass.
On third-and-five with five seconds left, Quinten Joyner ran for 15 yards as time expired in the second quarter.
Wisconsin will receive the ball to open the third quarter.
Promising drive ends after Miller Moss fumble
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 10, 3:30 second quarter
USC started on its 25 after the touchback.
Miller Moss passed to Walker Lyons for seven yards.
Zachariah Branch managed to turn the corner on a reverse paly and gained 15 yards.
Moss was under pressure from two quickly approaching defenders and passed to Kyron Hudson across the middle for 14 yards.
Moss avoids a sack and toss the ball out of bounds incomplete.
On second-and-10 at the Wisconsin 39, Moss stuck in the pocket and passed to Ja’Kobi Lane in double coverage. Lane’s helmet popped up from a hard hit, but he held on for a 15-yard gain.
Bryan Jackson ran for two yards. On second-and-eight, Moss was hit on his blind side and lost the ball. Wisconsin’s Ben Bert recovered at the Badgers’ 24.
Wisconsin runs over USC defense during quick touchdown drive
Wisconsin 21, No. 13 USC 10, 6:29 second quarter
Wisconsin started on its 25.
Cade Yacamelli ran for six yards and Tawee Walker ran for another five.
Braedyn Locke passed to Bryson Greer deep on the right for 35 yards.
Walker ran for three yards before Locke passed to Will Pauling for 13 yards. Locke then tossed a nine-yard pass, moving the ball to the USC four-yard line. Walker closed the drive with a four-yard touchdown. The Badgers hit the extra point.
The scoring drive spanned seven plays and 75 yards and was arguably the USC defense’s worst of the game.
USC trims Wisconsin lead with field goal
Wisconsin 14, No. 13 USC 10, 9:43 second quarter
USC started on its 35 after the kickoff went out of bounds.
Miller Moss passed across the middle to Zachariah Branch, who gained 25 yards.
Kyle Ford was called offisde on the next play. On first-and-15 at the Wisconsin 45, Moss kept the ball and ran for two yards. On second-and-13, Woody Marks ran for five yards. On third-and-eight, Wisconsin was called offsides. On third-and-three, USC called timeout after a late Wisconsin sub put the Trojans in jeopardy of a delay of game penalty.
On third-and-three, Moss passed to Walker Lyons. Moss’ next pass across the middle was low but hauled in by Woody Marks for four yards. On third-and-four, Moss passed to Jackobi Lane for three yards. On fourth-and-one, USC was called for false start.
On fourth-and-six, USC brought out kicker Michael Lantz. He hit a 41-yard field goal to trim the Wisconsin lead.
Wisconsin scores after USC muffs punt
Wisconsin 14, No. 13 USC 7, 14:44 second quarter
On fourth-and-four at its 31-yard line, Wisconsin punted.
The punt bounced between Zachariah Branch’s legs and might have hit him. His teammates thought it hit him and his teammates couldn’t gather it. Leon Lowery recovered the ball for Wisconsin at the USC 18.
Tawee Walker then ran for an 18-yard touchdown and Wisconsin hit the extra point.
Wisconsin closes first quarter poised to punt
No. 13 USC 7, Wisconsin 7, end of first quarter
Wisconsin took over on its 25-yard after the Miller Moss interception.
Braedyn Locke’s tossed two incomplete passes before connecting to Jackson Acker for six yards.
Time expired in the first quarter with Wisconsin facing fourth-and-four from its 31-yard line.
Miller Moss steers away from his end zone, but tosses an interception
No. 13 USC 7, Wisconsin 7, 37 seconds left in the first quarter
USC started on its 1-yard line after Wisconsin’s punt.
Bryan Jackson ran for two yards, absorbing two crushing hits as Wisconsin pushed for a safety. Jackson ran into one of his blocker and lost a yard. On third-and-nine, Woody Marks found a seam on the left side of the line and ran for a 10-yard gain.
Marks ran for two yards. Miller Moss was under pressure as he passed to Kyron Hudson for a nine-yard gain and a first down.
Moss drifted back from the line of scrimmage and passed to Hudson across the middle, who made a one-handed catch for a two-yard loss. Quinten Joyner ran up the middle for 11 yards. On third-and-one, Moss rushed to the right for a gain of nine yards. There was a flag on the play, but officials confirmed there was no targeting violation.
Joyner ran for six yards. On second-and-four at the USC 47, Moss lofted a pass into coverage on the left sideline. The pass was intended for Zachariah Branch, but it floated inside rather than near the sideline and was easily intercepted by Preston Zachman.
Wisconsin took over on its 25.
USC defense picks up its first stop
No. 13 USC 7, Wisconsin 7, 5:56 left in the first quarter
Wisconsin started on its 12-yard line.
Darrion Dupree ran for 10 yards. Braedyn Locke’s next pass was incomplete. Dupree ran for three yards. On third-and-seven, Locke’s pass was behind Vinny Anthony and fell incomplete.
Wisconsin’s punt bounced all the way to the USC 1-yard.
USC punts on second drive
No. 13 USC 7, Wisconsin 7, 7:15 left in the first quarter
Wisconsin kicked the ball through the end zone and USC started on its 25.
Miller Moss struggled to find anyone open and evaded a collapsing pocket twice before he was tackled after a one-yard gain. Miller’s low pass was pulled in by Woody Marks for a four-yard gain. On third-and-five, Moss passed across the middle to Zachariah Branch for a 16-yard gain.
On first down at the USC 46, Moss passed across the middle to Kyle Ford for a 10-yard gain.
Woody Marks ran for three yards. Moss’ next two passes were incomplete and USC punted.
Wisconsin took a fair catch on its 12-yard line.
Wisconsin quickly carves up USC defense, scores
No. 13 USC 7, Wisconsin 7, 10:52 left in the first quarter
USC kicked the ball through the end zone and Wisconsin started on the Badgers’ 25.
Chez Mellusi ran for five yards and followed that with a run for three yards. On third-and-two, Braedyn Locke passed to Vinny Anthony for four yards.
Locke caught USC’s Jacobe Covington step behind on coverage and found Anthony along the left sideline for a 63-yard touchdown.
USC scores on strong opening drive
No. 13 USC 7, Wisconsin 0, 12:23 left in the first quarter
USC opened on its 40-yard line.
Miller Moss passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for 29 yards. Moss’ next pass was incomplete. Woody Marks then ran for three yards. On third-and-seven, Moss’ pass was incomplete, but Wisconsin was called offsides. On third-and-two, Marks ran for one yard. On fourth-and-one, Marks ran for five yards, with his offensive line and tight end poking open a wide hole in the middle of the field.
Moss then passed to Lane along the right sideline, who pulled in the pass amid double coverage for a 32-yard touchdown.
USC hit the extra point to close a strong opening drive.
And we’re off ...
No. 13 USC 0, Wisconsin 0, 14:20 left in the first quarter
Wiconsin won the coin toss and deferred. The Badgers’ kickoff was a touchback, but Wisconsin was called for a facemask penalty on the play, moving USC to its 40-yard line.
Lincoln Riley, Alex Grinch greet each other pregame at the Coliseum
USC coach Lincoln Riley and his former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who landed at Wisconsins after he was fired by Riley, greet each other pregame at the Coliseum.
USC’s loss to Michigan a reminder that Lincoln Riley falters under pressure
USC played a team that passed for 32 yards.
Not on one play.
In the entire game.
Coach Lincoln Riley described the 27-24 loss to Michigan on Saturday as a game his team could have won, saying, “We came up one play short.”
In truth, this was a game the Trojans should have won.
This was a game in which the defending national champion Wolverines were booed in their own stadium. This was a game in which USC had the ball and a four-point lead in the last five minutes against an opponent that hadn’t scored in any of its last six drives.
USC tackle Bear Alexander is redshirting after dispute over playing time
When Bear Alexander flirted with the transfer portal last spring, USC and its staff did whatever they could to keep the former five-star defensive tackle in the fold. At the time, Alexander looked like the Trojans’ best hope to bring a disruptive defensive presence to the Big Ten.
But as USC’s new defense came together, Alexander’s role diminished. Even as coaches praised his progress, the former all-Pac-12 performer didn’t start any of USC’s first three games. Relegated to a rotational role up front, Alexander played just 28 snaps, then 20, then 21 last Saturday against Michigan, before frustrations finally boiled over into public view, posted on social media for all to see.
How to watch USC vs. Wisconsin and betting odds
No. 13 USC will play its first Big Ten game in the Coliseum on Saturday against Wisconsin at 12:30 p.m. PDT. The game will air on CBS and Paramount+ and be available on 710 AM in the Los Angeles area.
Here’s a look at the betting odds heading into the game:
USC vs. Wisconsin three things to watch: Alex Grinch returns to L.A.
When Lincoln Riley was hired at USC in 2021, one of his first calls was to Alex Grinch. The defensive coordinator had already helped turn around his Oklahoma defense, and in the process, the two coaches had come to trust each other. Their families got close. So when Riley arrived in L.A., on an early-morning plane that November, Grinch was on the same flight.
It turned out to be a rocky ride for Grinch at USC. He lasted less than two seasons and presided over two of the worst defenses in school history. But when the two coaches reunite Saturday at the Coliseum — this time, with Grinch wearing a different shade of red — Riley won’t be thinking about how things ended for him, less than a year ago, at USC.
“It’ll be good to see him,” Riley said. “It’ll certainly be unique, being on opposite sidelines, with all the good times and great memories we had together, all the years working together.”