tribtoday
In a stunning upset under the lights at the Coliseum, Southern California defeated No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 on Saturday night, securing the most significant victory of head coach Lincoln Riley's five-year tenure. Jayden Maiava led the way with 222 passing yards and a touchdown, while King Miller and Waymond Jordan each added rushing scores for the Trojans (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten).
Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley ignited the crowd on the game's second play from scrimmage, turning a short pass into a 69-yard touchdown and finishing with five catches for 101 yards. The USC offense racked up more points against Ohio State's highly touted defense than any opponent had managed since 2024.
The Trojan defense, meanwhile, kept the Buckeyes out of the end zone for the first 57 minutes. Ohio State freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, making his first career start in place of the injured Julian Sayin, threw for 260 yards but couldn't convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. The Buckeyes (6-2, 4-1) finally scored on a 1-yard reception by Jeremiah Smith with 2:12 remaining, but the ensuing two-point conversion failed, and USC recovered the onside kick before adding a third field goal with 1:46 left to seal the win.
Played in a steady, light rain on Halloween night, the victory marked USC's first win over a top-12 team under Riley and their first home triumph over a top-five opponent since 2015. Students and fans stormed the field in celebration.
For Ohio State, Bo Jackson rushed for 121 yards and Smith hauled in 10 receptions for 83 yards, but the Buckeyes' 464 total yards weren't enough to overcome their red-zone struggles. The loss dropped Ohio State to 58-2 against unranked teams under coach Ryan Day and marked the program's first two-loss start since 2011, the year before Urban Meyer arrived in Columbus.
Key Analysis
Ohio State's offensive woes without Sayin were evident, but the Buckeyes' defensive collapse was equally concerning. USC, which managed just seven points in a loss at Wisconsin a week earlier, exploded for 20 first-half points—the second-most Ohio State had allowed all season in a full game. Mosley's electrifying 69-yard score on the second snap set the tone, and his 44-yard punt return later in the first quarter set up Jordan's 9-yard touchdown run. The Buckeyes managed only three field goals on their first five drives despite gaining 192 yards, and a fumble by Isaiah West in the second half led to Miller's short touchdown run after a spectacular 70-yard catch by tight end Mark Bowman.
While Sayin's absence is a mitigating factor, the Buckeyes' defensive performance was their least effective in recent memory. Day's detractors will find plenty of ammunition in the loss, but Ohio State's College Football Playoff hopes remain alive. For USC, the win provides a massive boost of energy and belief after a embarrassing loss at Wisconsin. The Trojans are almost certain to return to the AP Top 25 and, despite a challenging remaining schedule, now have reason to believe they can accomplish something special this season.
Next up: Ohio State hosts Oregon on Saturday, while USC has a bye before traveling to Indiana on Nov. 14.
Originally reported by tribtoday.