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PASADENA, Calif. — The Southern California Trojans secured a 19-13 victory over UCLA on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, clinching their spot in a bowl with this win in the 94th installment of the Crosstown Showdown. Jayden Maiava threw for 221 yards in the game, including a crucial 4-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Kobi Lane in the fourth quarter. Woody Marks contributed on the ground with 76 rushing yards, while Michael Lantz successfully converted four field goals.

This matchup marked the fifth consecutive year that the visiting team emerged victorious, with the Trojans having won 19 of the last 26 encounters with the Bruins. UCLA’s Ethan Garbers had a strong performance, completing 20 of 29 passes for 265 yards. His teammate J. Michael Sturdivant recorded five receptions for 117 yards, and T.J. Harden added 98 rushing yards.

With a first-and-goal situation at the 4-yard line, Maiava executed a deep drop back, skillfully dodging a potential sack from UCLA’s Jacob Busic before rushing left and finding Lane in the back corner of the end zone. This go-ahead touchdown was preceded by a pivotal play where Makai Lemon executed a 39-yard lateral pass to Kyron Hudson.

Maiava ended the game with 19 completions on 35 attempts. After the touchdown, Garbers attempted to lead the Bruins on a subsequent drive but struggled on a critical fourth-and-1 QB sneak at the Bruins’ 34-yard line, resulting in a turnover on downs. Lantz then added a field goal, stretching Southern California’s lead to six points.

UCLA had one final opportunity to reclaim the lead, but Garbers faced difficulty, throwing four consecutive incompletions. The Bruins, who trailed 9-3 at halftime, took the lead early in the third quarter when Garbers connected with Moliki Matavao on a 10-yard touchdown from a tight end screen. The Bruins then pushed their advantage to 13-9 with Mateen Bhaghani’s second field goal late in the third quarter.

The game began with UCLA scoring first, courtesy of Bhaghani’s impressive 51-yard field goal following the opening kickoff. The Bruins caught a break after Garbers appeared to fumble during a sack by USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, but replay revealed that he was in the act of throwing, allowing the play to stand as an incomplete pass rather than a turnover.

In the first half, the Trojans entered the UCLA red zone three times, yet they were unable to convert those drives into touchdowns, settling instead for field goals by Lantz.

In a rare occurrence, UCLA kicked off from their own 5-yard line to start the second half following three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties at the end of the previous quarter. The Trojans initiated their first drive from their own 48 after a 16-yard kick return from Lemon, but they too struggled, ultimately turning the ball over on downs when Lane failed to secure a pivotal 5-yard catch on fourth-and-3.

In summary, the Trojans improved their record to 3-5 in closely contested games this season, while the Bruins lost their chance at bowl eligibility, falling to two consecutive defeats.

Looking ahead, the Trojans will host No. 6 Notre Dame next Saturday, while UCLA will take on Fresno State at home on the same day.
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