In a game with major postseason implications, No. 15 USC was overpowered in a 42–27 defeat against No. 7 Oregon on Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium. Despite generating 382 total yards, the Trojans (8-3, 6-2 Big Ten) struggled to overcome critical penalties, a season-low rushing output, and a series of explosive plays from the Ducks (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) that ultimately sealed their elimination from CFB playoff contention.
USC redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava, the Big Ten’s passing leader, completed 306 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions, both of which led directly to Oregon scoring opportunities. The Trojans finished with 335 receiving yards, led by freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines with 141, but managed only 52 rushing yards throughout the game, a disparity that shaped the game’s outcome. Oregon countered with a balanced offense, recording 436 total yards, including 179 yards on the ground and two passing touchdowns by redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore.
USC opened the first quarter with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by Maiava’s 8-yard pass completion to junior wide receiver Makai Lemon. Oregon responded immediately after benefiting from a kickoff out of bounds, tying the game on an 11-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Jordon Davison. A kick-catch interference penalty extended Oregon’s next drive, allowing Moore to find junior tight end Kenyon Sadiq for an 8-yard touchdown that put the Ducks ahead 14–7. With three starting offensive linemen unavailable, the Trojans battled with early protection coverage and field-position disadvantages.
At the start of the second quarter, USC ran an unexpected trick-play with Maiava throwing to Lemon, who then completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Hines, quickly tying the game 14-14. Control shifted dramatically when Oregon’s senior wide receiver Malik Benson returned a punt 84 yards for a trip to the endzone, giving the Ducks a 21–14 lead.
Maiava’s first interception of the day set up another Oregon scoring opportunity. Although the Ducks initially missed a field goal, a leaping penalty on USC extended the drive, ending the possession with a 1-yard direct-snap punch-in by senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher. USC closed the half with a missed 27-yard field goal, heading into halftime trailing Oregon 28-14.
USC kicked off the second half with a failed fourth-down attempt that resulted in Maiava’s second interception. USC responded with an interception of its own by sophomore safety Kennedy Urlacher and capitalized with a 4-yard touchdown to Lemon, pulling within seven at 28-21. The Ducks answered with a 75-yard drive, ending in another touchdown for Sadiq, which expanded the lead to 35-21. Maiava’s late-quarter fumble, which USC recovered, briefly offered a chance to reclaim momentum, but that opportunity evaporated when a running into the kicker penalty was declined.
Entering the final quarter, USC received help from consecutive defensive pass interference penalties by the Oregon secondary, setting up a 9-yard touchdown catch by redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee, narrowing the deficit to 35–27 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion.
Oregon effectively put the game away on a 79-yard, six-minute drive ending with redshirt senior running back Noah Whittington sliding into the endzone for a 9-yard touchdown run. USC’s final possession produced a 37-yard completion to junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, but a turnover on downs extinguished USC’s hopes of a comeback.
With the loss, USC falls out of playoff contention but still has hopes to finish the season strong. The Trojans return to Los Angeles next week for the annual ‘Crosstown Rivalry’, hosting UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 29.