This article was updated with quotes on Oct. 31, 2026 at 10:20 p.m.
After a devastating loss where everything seemed to go wrong, it was refreshing to see USC football do everything right in a 30-18 victory over No. 2 Ohio State.
The Trojans wasted no time Saturday reminding the Buckeyes why they belong in the Big Ten. Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava connected with freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley for a 69-yard touchdown on their second offensive play, giving USC an early spark in its first conference matchup with the Buckeyes.
The Trojans’ offense continued to execute, but it was the defense that truly stepped up to shut down the Buckeyes, holding them to one touchdown.
“The red zone was obviously maybe the biggest differential in the game,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said. “How well we played defensively in the red zone, we were awesome and that’s not an easy offense to stop in a red zone.”
By disrupting the run game, forcing turnovers and halting scoring opportunities inside the red zone, the Trojans established dominance early, holding Ohio to one touchdown in the fourth quarter and four field goals, three in the first half.
The Buckeyes kept the game on the ground, with freshman Luke Fahey stepping in for junior quarterback Julian Sayin, who was out with a throwing arm injury. Sophomore defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, redshirt junior linebacker Deven Bryant and junior defensive end Kameryn Crawford forcefully stopped Ohio’s rushing attacks. This defensive front made it difficult for the Buckeyes to move the ball, putting pressure on Fahey, who finished with 21 completions on 38 attempts.
This defensive pressure continued to thrive when redshirt senior safety Jontez Williams brought down senior star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a five-yard loss, stunting the conference’s all-time receiving touchdown leader, a record he broke in this matchup. Even when the Buckeyes looked to score, USC forced them into difficult situations. Crawford and redshirt senior safety Prophet Brown ended an Ohio first-and-goal opportunity in the second quarter, aided by an offensive 5-yard penalty and an overthrown pass by Fahey, leaving the Buckeyes without a touchdown heading into the second half.
Penalties plagued the Buckeyes, totaling 11 for 71 yards, and, combined with their inability to complete drives, became the major difference between the two teams. The Buckeyes had opportunities to cut into the Trojans’ lead but settled for field goals.
“It’s too many penalties, I think we found ourselves down in those redzone situations we weren’t able to execute very well, play clean,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said post game.
The Trojans turned these defensive stops into offensive momentum. Maiava had a 68.18% completion rate, throwing for 222 yards. Mosley finished with 101 yards, while senior running back Waymond Jordan followed with 48 rushing yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back King Miller also had a standout performance with an added touchdown and finishing with 78 yards.
But it was the return of freshman tight end Mark Bowman to the field that added another dimension to USC’s offense. Maiava took advantage and found him for a 70-yard reception in the third quarter, setting up a touchdown two plays later. The offense finished with three touchdowns and three field goals.
USC entered this game looking to improve their 6-2 overall, 3-2 conference record, especially after a disappointing 24-7 loss to No. 25 Wisconsin. Saturday’s victory now puts the Trojans at fourth place in the Big Ten. Before this matchup they were projected to have a 6% chance of making the playoffs. After this performance, that possibility can only increase.
“We just stayed focused on us, and what we needed to do better as a team, what we needed to do better defensively, regardless of who we were playing against,” Riley said. “I think that focus helped us tonight.”
USC will have a bye week before playing No.4 Indiana in Bloomington on Nov. 14.
Edited by Sammie Vassallo and Bennett Weinschenk