USC Trojans earn a statement win against LSU to open the 2024 season

WeAreSC is at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as the No. 23 USC Trojans look to start the 2024 season with an upset win against the No. 13 LSU Tigers. Follow along as we provide live updates throughout the game.

Pregame

Here’s some pregame reading from WeAreSC before this one kicks off.

It’s showtime for a confident USC defense

Keys to the Game: How USC leaves Las Vegas with a win

Lincoln Riley on Bear Alexander, Jaylin Smith, the kicking game and more

Takeaways from USC’s first depth chart release

What to Watch: USC vs LSU

Yay or Nay: USC has more advantages than LSU

WeAreSC roundtable: USC season predictions

#USC defensive backs Christian Pierce, DecCarlos Nicholson, Kamari Ramsey, Jaylin Smith & Anthony Beavers❕✌🏼

📷 @On3USC #FightOn pic.twitter.com/C8CZIO6zXy

— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) September 1, 2024

** It looks like LSU will be without starting wide receiver Chris Hilton. The 6-foot, 192-pound receiver is one of LSU’s fastest players. It’s expected that redshirt freshman Kyle Parker will step into his role for the Tigers.

** Trojan legends Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Anthony Munoz and Matt Leinart are in attendance for this one.

** No injuries of note heading into this one for the Trojans. Head coach Lincoln Riley stated a few times this fall that they’d had relatively good luck when it came to injuries. Tight end Carson Tabarracci is the only player on the field during warmups who clearly won’t play. He’s wearing a walking boot and his timeline for return is unknown.

** Trojan fans are in attendance, but it sounds early on like there will be an LSU slant to the crowd here.

** LSU wins the coin toss and elects to receive. USC’s much-discussed defense will take the field first for the Trojans.

First quarter

** LSU takes the opening drive all the way down to the USC three-yard line but the Trojans get great pressure up the middle against Garrett Nussmeier and force an incompletion on fourth down. USC takes over at its own three for its first drive of the game.

** LSU brings pressure and gets into the backfield on a third-down play. Moss tosses it to Woody Marks but he can’t pick up the first down. USC punts it back to LSU and the Tigers will start at their own 17-yard line.

** And that’s it for the first quarter. USC safety Kamari Ramsey makes a terrific solo tackle on a 3rd-and-6 to force 4th-and-5 for LSU from the USC 47-yard line to close the first quarter.

Second Quarter

** LSU punts to open the second quarter and USC takes over for its second offensive possession of the game.

** Kyron Hudson just made what will be one of the catches of the season. Went up with one hand between three defenders, grabbed it, bobbled it and then recaught it as he was going to the ground. Just an unreal effort and display of athleticism from him. It sets USC up 1st-and-10 at the LSU 17-yard line.

** After a pass interference penalty puts the ball at the 2-yard line, running back Woody Marks goes straight up the middle into the endzone for USC’s first touchdown of the season. It’s 7-0 Trojans with 11:00 remaining in the second quarter.

** LSU drives the length of the field almost all through the air and scores on a 19-yard pass from Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy. It’s 7-7 with 7:04 left in the second quarter.

** Zachariah Branch with an explosive kickoff return gets the ball out to the LSU 43-yard line to start the USC drive.

** A big personal foul penalty on Ja’Kobi Lane moved the ball back to 1st and goal from the 20-yard line. LSU gets pressure and forces a fumble on the next play, which is recovered by USC’s Emmanuel Pregnon.

** Hudson looks like he has a touchdown catch but an LSU defensive back knocks it out of his hands just before he can secure the catch. Michael Lantz connects on a 22-yard field goal and USC leads 10-7 with 4 minutes left in the first half.

** LSU moves down the field with another pass-heavy drive and connects on a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 with 1:08 remaining in the first half.

** A big catch by Makai Lemon and two nice runs from Marks moves the ball into scoring range, but Lantz misses a 29-yard field goal on the final play of the half and the teams go into halftime tied 10-10.

Halftime stats

Score – USC 10, LSU 10
Total yards – USC 207, LSU 237
Yards per play – USC 8.28, LSU 6.41
Passing yards – USC 176, LSU 191
Rushing yards – USC 31, LSU 46
3rd downs – USC 2-for-4, LSU 3-for-7

Miller Moss – 13-for-15 for 176 yards
Woody Marks – 7 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown
Zachariah Branch – 3 receptions for 47 yards
Kamari Ramsey – 6 tackles

Third Quarter

** LSU forces a three-and-out on USC’s opening drive of the second half and the Tigers take over at their own 28-yard line following a punt.

** USC comes right back to force a three-and-out of its own. Jacobe Covington secures a tackle on the sideline to stop an LSU receiver short of the first down. Trojans take over at their own 23-yard line after the LSU punt.

** LSU with a big sack on third down forces a USC field goal from Michael Lantz, who hits from 35 yards. It’s 13-10 USC with 7:13 left in the third quarter.

** LSU with a couple of big runs moves the ball down the field and scores on a 13-yard touchdown pass on a 3rd-and-five play. USC safety Kamari Ramsey tripped over cornerback Jaylin Smith while trying to get outside to make the tackle. LSU takes its first lead of the game, up 17-13 with 3:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

** USC can’t get anything going offensively after a botched pitch and penalty. The Trojans punt and LSU will have an opportunity to stretch its lead if USC can’t respond defensively.

** Trojans rise up with another big play from Kamari Ramsey on third down. LSU punts and USC has the ball at its own 15-yard line with 13:25 remaining in the game.

** LSU knocks down a Moss throw on 4th down and the Tigers take over at their own 21-yard line with 8:38 remaining in the game. Trojans need another big stop here.

** USC gets its 3-and-out with a huge stop from Eric Gentry on a 3rd-and-1 run. Trojans get the ball back at their own 36-yard line with 6:57 remaining.

** Moss goes up top to Ja’Kobi Lane from 29 yards out and the Trojans take a 20-17 lead with 5:44 remaining in the game.

** LSU takes advantage of a USC coverage bust and the Tigers are in the redzone with 2:30 to play.

** The Tigers hit a 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 20 with 1:47 remaining.

** WOODY MARKS UP THE MIDDLE FOR A 13-YARD TOUCHDOWN WITH 8 SECONDS LEFT. USC takes a 27-20 lead.

** Mason Cobb makes an interception and that will do it. No. 23 USC with a statement win to open up the 2024 season against No. 13 LSU. Incredible defensive performance for the Trojans.