Final: USC 50, Cal 49

Follow along with WeAreSC as we provide running updates ahead of and throughout the 110th meeting of the USC Trojans (6-2, 4-1) and California Golden Bears (3-4, 1-3).

And join fellow USC fans discussing the game on the WeAreSC Message Board game thread – USC at Cal.

USC is looking to stop a two-game losing streak and stay in the hunt for a spot in the conference championship game. The Trojans know what awaits them after this — games against No. 5 Washington, No. 8 Oregon and No. 23 UCLA — which makes this a must-win game for USC.

Leading up to the Game

USC hype video ahead of Cal game

(still) on a mission. 😤✌️#FridayNightHype🍿 pic.twitter.com/ApZdF0YVqJ

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) October 28, 2023

* Before the game, check out our What to Watch look at the standouts and matchups that could be key in this game.

* Here’s how the two teams stack up statistically, including where they rank nationally and in the conference.

* And for recruiting fans, here’s how USC is trending for California’s top 10 targets in the 2025 class.

Pregame – USC at Cal

* Cornerback Jacobe Covington is again not participating in early warmups with the USC cornerbacks. Covington was injured during the Trojans’ triple-overtime win against Arizona and has not been back on the field. He missed the past two games, losses to Notre Dame and Utah.

* The Trojans will be without free safety Max Williams for another week as well. Williams sustained an injury during the game at Notre Dame and sat out last week’s loss to Utah. He’s out on the field early, but not in warmup uniform. A piece of good news though is that he’s doing some light work with fellow safety Calen Bullock. Good to see Williams moving and active after, judging only by his immediate reaction, it appeared to be a fairly significant injury he suffered against the Irish.

* The Trojans are going to go with the same starting five along the offensive line in this one that they used against Utah. It’ll be Jonah Monheim, Emmanuel Pregnon, Justin Dedich, Mason Murphy and Jarrett Kingston going left to right.

* We’ll see if it holds into the game, but the first-team defense during team warmups had five new faces in it compared to last week. Eric Gentry and Shane Lee were at inside linebacker. De’jon Benton and Kyon Barrs were the interior defensive linemen. And Zion Branch was at free safety.

* USC wins the coin toss and elects to receive the opening kick.

* Game is being delayed due to protesters on the field. They are demanding the reinstatement of Cal colonial studies professor Ivonne del Valle, who is currently on paid administrative leave.

First Quarter

* USC takes the opening drive 69 yards in 14 plays but has to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Denis Lynch. Trojans opening the scoring. It’s 3-0 USC with 8:24 remaining in the first quarter.

* Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza and running back Jaydn Ott seem to get tangled up on the handoff and the ball drops to the ground. USC defensive end Solomon Byrd falls on it for the first turnover of the game.

* USC running back MarShawn Lloyd powers in for a two-yard touchdown run. That’s touchdown run No. 7 of the season for Lloyd, tying Caleb Williams for the team high. It’s 10-0 USC with 5:23 remaining in the first quarter.

* Ott takes a handoff untouched, straight up the middle for a 43-yard touchdown. It’s 10-7 USC with 3:55 remaining.

* Williams won’t be shut out in passing touchdowns today. After not throwing for a score against Utah, he’s on the board with a six-yard strike to running back Austin Jones. USC avoids a turnover when Lloyd fumbled but the Trojans recovered, and they turn it into a touchdown drive. It’s 17-7 USC with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter.

* Ott takes off for a 61-yard touchdown. It’s 17-14 USC and Ott has six carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns through one quarter.

Second Quarter

* Cal forces a USC punt and the Golden Bears take over at their own 34-yard line with 14:21 remaining in the first half.

* Ott is in again. It’s Jadyn Ott 21, USC 17 with 11:55 remaining in the second quarter.

* USC goes three-and-out and Cal takes over at the 50-yard line.

* Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza connects with Trond Grizzell for a 17-yard touchdown. It’s 28-17 Cal with 8:58 remaining in the first half. The only time the Cal offense has even remotely been slowed down was on the self-inflicted fumble early on.

* USC gets its first true defensive stop of the game as Cal turns it over on downs with 2:14 remaining in the half. The Trojans take over at their 34-yard line.

* Williams completes a pass to Lake McRee on 4th down but time expires before the Trojans can call a timeout and attempt a field goal. It’s halftime and Cal leads 28-17.

* Strange end to the first half. Lincoln Riley remained on the sideline talking to the officials well after the teams went into the locker room. Cal coach Justin Wilcox was eventually called out and returned to the field. The officials then announced that McRee was down with one second remaining and USC should have been given a timeout. With both teams already in their locker rooms, the officials announced halftime will begin and the teams will play out the final second of the first half after that. So technically, we’re still in the second quarter as the halftime show continues on.

* Lynch pushes left the 33-yard attempt and now Cal officially has a 28-17 lead at halftime.

Third Quarter

* USC forces another turnover on downs on Cal’s first possession of the second half. The Trojans take over at the Cal 45-yard line with 13:09 remaining in the third quarter.

* Williams runs it in for a six-yard score but the Trojans go for two and don’t get it. It’s 28-23 Cal with 11:59 remaining in the third quarter.

* USC gets a little help from a personal foul penalty to force a three-and-out and Cal punt. The Trojans take over at the Cal 47-yard line with 10:15 remaining in the third quarter.

* USC linebacker Eric Gentry with a one-handed interception that sets the Trojans up in great field position at the Cal 22-yard line.

* One-play drive for the Trojans as Williams finds Brenden Rice in the endzone for a 22-yard score. The Trojans go for two and get it but a holding call wipes it out. USC then tries an extra point and Lynch pulls it right. The Trojans were called for holding on that attempt as well. USC does retake the lead 29-28 with 8:12 remaining in the third quarter.

* Mendoza scrambles around the right end for a two-yard score and Cal gets the two-point conversion to follow it up. Cal retakes the lead 36-29 with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

* Mendoza takes a quarterback sneak into the endzone to push the Cal lead to 43-29 with 14:06 remaining in the game.

* Williams scores on a quarterback sneak for his second rushing touchdown of the game. That cuts the Cal lead to 43-36 with 11:15 remaining in the game.

* Linebacker Tackett Curtis forces a fumble on a Cal punt return and recovers the ball. Trojans take over at the Cal 18-yard line with 7:30 remaining.

* USC takes advantage of the Cal turnover again and Lloyd goes in for his second touchdown of the game. This one is a nine-yard run. The Trojans tie the game at 43 with 6:11 remaining.

* Austin Jones gets into the endzone and the Trojans lead 50-43.

* Cal scores with 58 seconds left but Jaylin Smith bats away the two point conversion attempt. USC holds onto a 50-49 lead with just under a minute remaining.

* Mario Williams recovers the onside kick attempt and USC takes over with a chance to tun out the clock.

* Caleb Williams kneels three times and USC escapes with a 50-49 win in Berkeley