Final score: USC Las Vegas bound, Trojans beat beat UCLA 48-45 in the Rose Bowl

The most anticipated Crosstown Showdown in years is here as the No. 7 USC Trojans visit the Rose Bowl and the No. 16 UCLA Bruins. Follow along with WeAreSC here as we provide live updates of all the scores and big plays. And be sure to check out the WeAreSC Message Board to discuss the game with fellow Trojan fans.

Pregame

* Check out The Huddle ahead of or during the game, for all the names, news, notes and numbers you need to keep up with this one.

* And read about the Five Key Matchups that could help determine the winner tonight. We’ll be watching atmosphere, coaching matchups and key situational football throughout the 60 minutes.

* USC head coach Lincoln Riley said linebacker Eric Gentry and wide receiver Mario Williams would both be available for the Trojans in this one. Both are in uniform going through early warmups with the team. It remains to be seen how much either will be able to go in this one. But having them available — key starters on either side of the ball — is big.

* Nickelback Jaylin Smith is not in uniform for warmups and won’t be available tonight. The emergence of safety Bryson Shaw has allowed USC to move Max Williams into a nickel or dime back at times and that could come in handy again tonight. Fellow nickel Latrell McCutchin is also available.

* Injured USC running back Travis Dye is in attendance. His ankle is wrapped and he’s using a scooter. It’s a solemn reminder of the gigantic loss USC suffered against Colorado. But there will be no louder cheerleader on that USC sideline tonight.

* Dye goes out for the coin toss along with the regular four USC captains.

* UCLA wins the coin toss and elects to defer to the second half. USC will receive the opening kickoff.

First Quarter

* USC comes up empty on its first two offensive possessions. Trojans are stuffed on a 4th-and-short and kicker Denis Lynch hits a 32-yard field goal wide right.

* UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson sneaks in for a one-yard touchdown. It’s 7-0 UCLA with 2:29 left in the first quarter. Bruins go 80 yards in 14 plays.

* After a Caleb Williams interception, Thompson-Robinson finds tight end Michael Ezeike for a 30-yard score on the first play of the UCLA drive. It’s 14-0 UCLA with 1:47 left in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

* Caleb Williams gets the Trojans on the board with a six-yard touchdown. Trojans cut the Bruins’ lead to 14-7 with 11:52 left in the second quarter.

* USC moves the ball from its one-yard line enough for Denis Lynch to connect on a 44-yard field goal. It’s 14-10 UCLA with 5:45 left in the first half.

* Another quarterback sneak touchdown for Thompson-Robinson. UCLA goes 63 yards in six plays and pushes its lead to 21-10 with 3:48 left in the first half.

* Austin Jones goes in from eight yards out and gives the Trojans a much-needed score before halftime. That drive was highlighted by a 49-yard catch and run by wide receiver Kyle Ford. It’s 21-17. UCLA with 1:42 left in the first half.

* Huge interception by Mekhi Blackmon gets the ball back for the Trojans with 1:15 remaining in the first half. USC ball at the UCLA 35-yard line.

* USC comes up empty on a field goal attempt, but Thompson-Robinson is intercepted by Shane Lee and Lynch hits a 49-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer. It’s 21-20 UCLA at halftime.

Third Quarter

* UCLA takes the opening kick of the second half and gains 47 yards in 11 plays. But the Trojans hold the Bruins to a 46-yard field goal. UCLA leads 24-20 with 10:32 remaining in the game.

* Williams throws his first touchdown pass of the game. He connects with Jordan Addison on a 35-yard score and the Trojans have their first lead of the game. It’s 27-24 USC with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

* USC defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni forces a fumble on a sack of Thompson-Robinson and the Trojans recover at the nine-yard line. Austin Jones puts it into the endzone from two yards out. It’s 34-24 USC with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.

* UCLA drives 85 yards in eight plays and Ezeike catches his second touchdown of the game. It’s 34-31 USC with 3:46 left in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

* Williams connects with Ford on a 16-yard touchdown. Great grab by Ford to go up against a defender on the side of the endzone. It’s 41-31 USC with 14:51 remaining in the game.

* USC elects to go with a very short kickoff and UCLA strikes immediately. Thompson-Robinson hits Kazmeir Allen downfield for a one-play, 55-yard touchdown. USC leads 41-38 with 14:35 remaining in the game.

* USC running back Darwin Barlow comes off the bench and goes 19 yards and then six yards for a touchdowns on his first two carries of the game. It’s 48-38 with 9:10 remaining in the game.

* UCLA comes right back and Thompson-Robinson connects with Ezeike for a score for the third time tonight. It’s 48-45 USC with 6:38 remaining in the game.

* UCLA takes over on their own 11-yard line with 2:21 remaining in the game.

* USC lineman Korey Foreman intercepts Thompson-Robinson at the UCLA 49-yardline just just over a minute

* UCLA calls a timeout with 1:19 remaining.

* USC is in victory formation. UCLA calls another timeout with 1:12 remaining.

* Caleb Williams take a knee as the clocks runs out.

* FInal Score: USC 48, UCLA 45