Kalel Mullings leads No. 18 Michigan to 27-24 comeback win over No. 11 USC

Kalel Mullings saved Michigan.

With 37 seconds left, Mullings scored on fourth down and goal to give the Wolverines (No. 18) a 27-24 victory over USC (No. 11).

Mullings' touchdown came after he broke through a 63-yard run, boosting a Michigan offense that had been absolutely lifeless in the second half. The Wolverines hadn't been able to move the ball at all after the first quarter, but they managed just enough after Mullings' big run.

USC used its last two timeouts as Michigan approached the end zone, forcing the Trojans to work on the sidelines after recovering the ball. But Miller Moss' fourth-down pass with eight seconds left was completed just short of the line to put the ball in the lead.

USC's strong second half

The Trojans trailed 14-3 at halftime, but scored 21 points in the second half to take the lead for the first time. With 7:01 left, the Trojans took a 24-20 lead when Moss found Ja'Kobi Lane between Michigan's defenders for a 24-yard touchdown.

The pass was Moss' third touchdown throw of the game. His second came to a completely free Jay Fair late in the third quarter, two plays after Moss lost the ball on third down. Moss' fumble was recovered by Michigan's Kenneth Grant, but Grant was intercepted by USC RB Woody Marks as he ran down the field.

The back-to-back fumbles ultimately cost Michigan at least four points. If Moss' arm had reached forward, USC would have scored a field goal. Instead, the touchdown cut Michigan's lead to 20-17.

Moss, however, did not have much success against Michigan's pass defense. He threw a pick-6 to Will Johnson and completed just 28 of 51 passes for 283 yards.

Michigan still has no passing game

The Wolverines made a quarterback change before Saturday's game, with Alex Orji replacing Davis Warren. Orji threw just six passes in Michigan's first three games and had not proven to be an effective passer.

That trend continued against USC. Orji completed 7 of 12 passes for 32 yards.

As soon as Orji was named the starter, it was clear that Michigan's offensive strategy would be to run, run and run again against the Trojans. Michigan ran 46 times for 290 yards and three scores. But the offense desperately needs the threat of a passing game.

Between a 96-yard drive in the first quarter and the game-winning drive initiated by Mullings, Michigan's offense was at a dead end. USC knew there was virtually no opportunity for deep passes and played accordingly.

Thanks to his 63-yard run, Mullings finished the game with 17 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while Donovan Edwards had 14 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. However, Edwards had a crucial fumble that allowed USC to take the lead.

With a Minnesota team that also likes to run the ball in Week 5, it's likely that Michigan will keep Orji at quarterback. However, one wonders how successful Michigan can be with such a one-dimensional offense throughout the season.

USC, meanwhile, missed a golden opportunity to pull off a clean sweep in its first-ever Big Ten game. The Trojans were pushed around by the Wolverines up front in the first half before finding their footing.