USC 38-21 Wisconsin (September 28, 2024) Game Recap

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Miller Moss threw two of his three touchdown passes to Ja'Kobi Lane and No. 13 Southern California rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to cruise to a 38-21 victory at the Trojans on Saturday Wisconsin's first Big Ten home game.

A week after narrowly losing in its Big Ten debut at Michigan, USC trailed 21-10 at halftime and earned some boos from its home crowd after three turnovers in the first half. The Trojans (3-1, 1-1) responded brilliantly, outscoring Wisconsin 28-0 in the second half for their school's first Big Ten win.

Lane caught 10 passes for 105 yards, while Duce Robinson scored the Trojans' go-ahead touchdown with 1:28 left in the third quarter on another sharp throw from Moss, who passed for 308 yards.

Moss was evaluated for a concussion after he hit the ground awkwardly with 8:22 to play while rushing for a 7-yard touchdown on a fourth-down keeper, but he stayed in.

USC linebacker Mason Cobb then returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown with 5:04 to play to seal the game.

Vinny Anthony caught an early 63-yard TD pass from Braedyn Locke for the Badgers (2-2, 0-1), who have lost two straight.

Tawee Walker rushed for two touchdowns, but Wisconsin faded badly in the second half of its first game at the Coliseum since 1966. The Badgers have lost 13 of their last 15 games against ranked teams and are 0-4 under coach Luke Fickell.

Locke completed 13 of 26 yards for 180 yards in his first start of the season after Tyler Van Dyke tore knee ligaments in the Badgers' upset loss to Alabama two weeks ago.

Lane capped USC's opening drive by barely holding on inbounds after an extraordinary 32-yard touchdown pass from Moss in a tiny window. Wisconsin responded with Locke's perfect long-range throw to Anthony, who beat Jacobe Covington on the USC sideline after a rare explosive play by the Badgers' offense.

USC speedster Zachariah Branch thwarted a punt on the first snap of the second quarter and Walker rushed 18 yards for a touchdown on the next snap. After Wisconsin added a 75-yard TD drive capped by Walker's second touchdown, Moss fumbled while being hit deep in Badgers territory.

The Coliseum booed as the Trojans left the field trailing 21-10 at halftime – but USC recovered a botched punt early in the third quarter and Lane eventually caught a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Robinson then caught two big passes during the Trojans' first scoring drive, including an 8-yard TD toss from Moss on a total blitz.

Moss then capped off a 77-yard drive-by Holding the ball on fourth down and score points while spinning and flying after a Badgers hit. Moss slowly got up after the hit and went to the medical tent, but was allowed to return.

The takeaway food

Wisconsin: The first half was encouraging, but Fickell and his players couldn't keep up with the Trojans' halftime adjustments. A Big Ten title game seems unlikely for the Badgers this year unless they can add more explosiveness on both ends. The Badgers finished with just 286 yards of offense.

USC: The Trojans had both bad and bad luck in the first half, but this team is miles ahead of last season's group, and their second-half surge was perhaps their most impressive performance in the last two years under coach Lincoln Riley. Moss is growing into his role and the USC defense once again showed tenacity.

Impact on the survey

The Trojans slipped just two spots after the loss to Michigan and should stay in the same range after moving past the Badgers.

Next

Wisconsin: Host Purdue on Saturday, October 5.

USC: At Minnesota on Saturday, October 5th.

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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football