USC comes up short on the road against Michigan, 27-24

The USC Trojans get their Big Ten conference schedule underway against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday afternoon. We’re at Michigan Stadium providing running updates before and during what is a monumental game for both programs this season.

USC – Michigan reading

WeAreSC staff predictions for USC – Michigan

Five questions for the USC Trojans against Michigan

Keys to the game: How USC beats Michigan in Ann Arbor

Yay or Nay: USC’s defense will quiet the Big House

Injury report

The big news ahead of this one is Michigan will be without star tight end Colston Loveland, who injured his shoulder last week and is listed as out on the availability report.

USC will be without backup offensive linemen Micah Banuelos and Kilian O’Connor.

Pregame

Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane take the field at Michigan Stadium❕✌🏼

🎥 @On3USC #FightOn pic.twitter.com/9TlOi9FubF

— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) September 21, 2024

All the talk from the Michigan side coming into this one is how the Wolverines’ offense will fare with a change at quarterback. Backup Alex Orji is getting the call as former starter Davis Warren goes to the bench after throwing six interceptions in three games. The thought is that Michigan will rely heavily on its running game with Orji and the running back tandem of Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards.

USC’s defensive front was one of the major questions heading into the season but the Trojans responded well against the LSU offensive line and running game to open the season. That group then helped lead the defense in a shutout win against Utah State two weeks ago. They’ll get a big-time challenge from the Michigan offensive line, running backs and a run-first quarterback in Orji.

USC’s defensive starters in warmups are familiar names. It looks like it’ll be the same group that took the field first against LSU. Jamil Muhammad, Gavin Meyer, Nate Clifton and Anthony Lucas along the line. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb at linebacker. Jaylin Smith and Jacobe Covington at cornerback. Greedy Vance at nickel and Akili Arnold and Kamari Ramsey at safety.

USC wins the toss and elects to defer. The Trojans will start out on defense.

First quarter

** Michigan receives the opening kick and makes the first big play of the game, picking up a 4th-and-short at their own 34-yard line. Michigan got a break when the play clock expired before the snap. A break goes USC’s way when it looked like the Trojans jumped offside but a flag wasn’t thrown. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold makes an impressive open-field tackle against Orji and Michigan is forced to punt. USC will take over at its own six-yard line.

** USC’s offense goes backward but Eddie Czaplicki fires off a 60-yard punt. A dead ball penalty against the Wolverines puts the ball at the Michigan 42-yard line to start the drive with 8:31 left in the first quarter.

** Mascarenas-Arnold makes his second big tackle on third down and forces another Michigan punt. This ones goes into the endzone and the Trojans will start at their 20-yard line with 6:37 remaining in the first quarter.

** Michigan running back Kalel Mullings goes untouched up the middle for a 53-yard touchdown. It’s 7-0 Michigan with 3:10 left in the first quarter. The Wolverines converted their second fourth-down of the game on the previous play.

** USC gets stuffed on a third-and-one rushing attempt up the middle. The Michigan defensive line is dominating the USC offensive line.

** USC finishes the first quarter with six rushing attempts for -5 yards.

Second quarter

** USC picks up a first down but is quickly shut down again by the Michigan defense. The Trojans now have 14 yards of offense in four possessions. Michigan takes over at its 20-yard line.

** Donovan Edwards gets loose and goes 41 yards for a touchdown. Michigan has rushed for 178 yards to this point. It’s 14-0 Wolverines with 7:14 remaining in the second quarter.

** USC gets Zachariah Branch involved and moves the ball for the first time all afternoon. But the Trojans can’t get it done in the red zone and settle for a short field goal from Michael Lantz. It’s 14-3 Michigan.

** USC’s defense forces a punt and the Trojans will take over at their own 7-yard line with 1:40 left in the half.

** Moss can’t get a throw off on the final play of the first half and Michigan finishes it off with a sack. That’s a fitting way for the first half to end as the USC offensive line has had no answers for the Michigan defense. It’s 14-3 Michigan at half.

Halftime stats

Score – Michigan 14, USC 3
Total yards – Michigan 220, USC 118
Rushing yards – Michigan 199, USC -16
Passing yards – Michigan 21, USC 134
Third downs – Michigan 2-for-8, USC 1-for-7
Time of possession – Michigan 18:17, USC 11:43

Third quarter

** USC takes the opening drive of the second half down the field for a touchdown as Miller Moss finds Duce Robinson from nine yards out. USC went 3-for-3 on third downs on that drive after going 1-for-7 in the first half.

** Huge stand for the USC defense as they force a three-and-out on Michigan’s first drive of the second half, punctuated by an Eric Gentry sack on third down. USC takes over at its own 34-yard line with 6:58 left in the third quarter.

** Michigan cornerback Will Johnson makes a great read on a short pass attempt from Moss, steps in front of the receiver and takes it back 42 yards for a touchdown. The Wolverines miss the extra point but push their lead to 20-10 with 5:26 left in the third quarter.

** USC running back Woody Marks maybe with the play of the game as Michigan forces a fumble that’s recovered by defensive lineman Kenneth Grant, but Marks rips the ball away from Grant and USC will keep possession.

** Moss finds Jay Fair wide open in the endzone for another USC touchdown. It’s 20-17 Michigan with 1:27 remaining in the third quarter.

** Another huge stop for the USC defense to end the third quarter as the Trojans stop Orji short of the line on third down.

Fourth quarter

** A three-and-out for the USC offense as the drive starts with a sack. Michigan gets it at its 32-yard line with 12:36 remaining.

** The USC defense gets its third straight three-and-out. USC takes over at its own 20-yard line with 11:00 left in the game.

** USC has to punt again as the offensive line gives up pressure on second and third down incompletions. Michigan takes over at its own 12-yard line after another good punt from Czaplicki. There’s 8:35 remaining in the game and Michigan leads 20-17.

** Huge play from Eric Gentry to force and recover a fumble on the first play of the drive. USC takes over at the Michigan 19-yard line.

** Moss finds Ja’Kobi Lane on 3rd and 16 for a 24-yard touchdown and USC takes its first lead of the game, 24-20, with 7:01 remaining.

** Five drives in a row without a first down for Michigan as USC forces another punt. The Trojans take over at their own 38-yard line with 5:01 left, leading 24-20.

** USC can do nothing with its possession and punts it back to Michigan. Wolverines’ ball at their own 11-yard line.

** Michigan gets a 63-yard run from Mullings on third-and-one to set up what will be a goal line situation to determine the winner.

** Mullings goes into the endzone from one yard out and Michigan takes the lead 27-24 with just 37 seconds remaining.

** USC can’t mount a final-minute drive and turns it over on downs. Michigan takes a knee and comes away with a 27-24 win.