In a thrilling season opener, No. 23 Southern California clinched a 27-20 victory over No. 13 LSU on Sunday night. The winning play came from Woody Marks with an impressive 13-yard run with only 8 seconds left on the clock. The game was a showdown between quarterbacks Miller Moss from USC and Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, both displaying stellar performances after waiting their turns behind Heisman Trophy winners in previous seasons.
Moss, with a remarkable 378 passing yards and a touchdown, orchestrated a crucial play with a 20-yard completion to Kyron Hudson, capitalizing on a targeting penalty against LSU to set up Marks’ game-winning run. This win marked an important moment for USC as they embark on their first season in the Big Ten Conference, proving their strength as a team to reckon with after a disappointing 8-5 record last year.
Despite the loss, LSU, under coach Brian Kelly, showcased determination throughout the game. The match took place at Allegiant Stadium with a record attendance of 63,969, where LSU fans made up a majority of the crowd, creating an electric atmosphere resembling a home game for the Tigers. The game also saw former legends from both teams in attendance, including Shaquille O’Neal and Heisman winners Marcus Allen and Matt Leinart.
The game was filled with spectacular plays, including remarkable catches from both teams. Hudson’s acrobatic 24-yard catch set up a touchdown for USC, while LSU’s Kyren Lacy answered with a twisting catch for a touchdown to even the score. Both teams had their share of missed opportunities, with LSU failing to convert a red-zone opportunity, and USC missing a field goal at the end of the first half.
As the game went into the final minutes tied at 20-20, Moss delivered a clutch touchdown pass to Ja’Kobi Lane, giving USC a 27-20 lead. Despite a tying field goal from LSU’s Damian Ramos with 1:47 left, Moss led USC on a game-winning 75-yard drive culminating in Marks’ touchdown, sealing the victory for the Trojans in dramatic fashion.
