LIVE: Final - USC 30, Penn State 33

The USC Trojans let an early 14-point lead slip away and drop an overtime heartbreaker to Penn State 33-30. Follow along with WeAreSC’s running updates of the biggest plays of the game.

WeAreSC USC – Penn State reading

WeAreSC score predictions for USC – Penn State
Keys to the game
Five questions for the USC Trojans ahead of Penn State

It’s a huge recruiting weekend for USC as dozens of recruits from multiple classes will be at the Coliseum. Check out the WeAreSC live recruiting updates throughout the day.

Injury report

We broke down the Big Ten availability report for both teams heading into this one. The Trojans will be without starting linebacker Eric Gentry for the second week in a row. Tight end Lake McRee and cornerback Jacobe Covington are both listed as questionable.

USC game captains

USC announced its game captains ahead of this one. The Trojans will be led by quarterback Miller Moss, center Jonah Monheim, linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and safety Akili Arnold.

Pregame

Neither tight end Lake McRee nor cornerback Jacobe Covington will play today. Neither are suited up for pregame warmups.

Based on early warmups it doesn’t look as though USC will make any changes to the starting offensive line. From left to right, it’s Elijah Paige, Emmanuel Pregnon, Jonah Monheim, Alani Noa and Mason Murphy.

The first defense to take the field for pregame warmups includes Devan Thompkins at tackle and John Humphrey at cornerback.

Big crowd pop when former USC quarterback Sam Darnold is announced as the tunnel captain for the game today. Trojans are hoping they can capture some of that magic Darnold was responsible for when he was the MVP of the 2017 Rose Bowl in a comeback win over Penn State.

USC wins the opening coin toss and elects to receive.

First Quarter

* USC starting offense: QB Miller Moss, RB Woody Marks, TE Walker Lyons, LT Elijah Paige, LG Emmanuel Pregnon, C Jonah Monheim, RG Alani Noa, RT Mason Murphy, WR Kyron Hudson, WR Zachariah Branch, WR Ja’Kobi Lane.

* USC picks up one first down and then Penn State forces a punt on the opening drive. Nittany Lions take over at their own 11-yard line.

* A Penn State touchdown is taken off the board due to an offensive pass interference penalty. The Nittany Lions hit a field goal from 35 yards and take a 3-0 lead with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter.

* Quick strike from USC as Quinten Joyner takes a handoff, fakes a reverse to Zachariah Branch and goes 75 yards for a score.

* Penn State lined up to go for it on fourth down from midfield but a false start penalty pushes them back and they’ll punt. Branch fields it with a fair catch at the 11-yard line. The Trojans will take over with 1:49 remaining in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

* The Trojans move it downfield thanks to a big run by Woody Marks on a broken throwback play and Miller Moss hits Quinten Joyner out of the backfield for a 9-yard touchdown. It’s 14-3 USC with 13:33 remaining in the second quarter.

* True freshman linebacker Desman Stephens II with a huge play, dropping deep into coverage to pick off a pass and return it all the way back to the Penn State 25-yard line.

* USC cashes in the turnover with a 45-yard field goal from Michael Lantz and the Trojans lead 17-3 with 10:05 remaining in the first half.

* Big-time response from the USC defense as the Trojans as Jaylin Smith and Akili Arnold make two big sticks on 2nd and 3rd down to force another Penn State punt. USC takes over at its own 18-yard line with 7:39 remaining in the half.

* USC can’t move the ball and punts it back to Penn State, which takes over at its own 19-yard line with 5:58 remaining in the half.

* Penn State adds another field goal — this one a 34-yarder from Ryan Barker — and the USC lead is cut to 17-6 with 2:46 remaining in the half.

* USC ends up on the wrong side of another penalty as Walker Lyons gets flagged for what looks like a really clean block on a long run by Marks. Add it to the bad call against Kamari Ramsey on a low hit earlier and Lincoln Riley is probably going to need another explanation from the Big Ten officiating office this week.

* Lantz hits another field goal, this one from 47 yards out, and USC pushes its first half lead to 20-6 with just seven seconds remaining.

Halftime Stats

Score – USC 20, Penn State 6
Total yards – USC 248, Penn State 204
Rushing yards – USC 147, Penn State 71
Passing yards – USC 101, Penn State 133
Third downs – USC 0-for-4, Penn State 3-for-8
Turnovers – USC 0, Penn State 1
Average yards per play – USC 9.9, Penn State 5.7
Tackles for loss – USC 1, Penn State 2

Third Quarter

* Penn State gets a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half as a double-pass winds up in the hands of tight end Tyler Warren for a 32-yard touchdown. It’s 20-13 USC with 12:52 remaining in the third quarter as the Trojans take a hit immediately out of the locker room.

* Warren is up to 11 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown now.

* A big penalty goes against the Trojans as Woody Marks is called for holding on what would have been a big third-down completion from Moss to Duce Robinson. USC winds up with a 3rd-and-26 on the drive and has to punt. Momentum swinging firmly toward Penn State early in the second half.

* The Nittany Lions will take over at their own 10-yard line with 9:16 remaining in the third quarter.

* Another touchdown drive for Penn State as Kaytron Allen punches it in from one yard out and the teams are tied at 20.

* Penn State records its first sack of the game and it helps stop another USC drive. The Trojans punt and the Nittany Lions have it at their own 17-yard line with every bit of momentum right now.

* Big, big turnover for USC as Kamari Ramsey gets his hands on a pass and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold picks it off after a couple of bounces. USC takes over at the Penn State 24-yard line.

* USC hits a field goal to take a 23-20 lead by the feels like another missed opportunity for the Trojans as they turn a second interception into another field goal when they gain just two yards in three plays. The Trojans will likely take a slim lead into the fourth quarter as there are 28 seconds remaining in the third.

Fourth Quarter

* Penn State gets into the red zone but USC forces another field goal. The Nittany Lions hit and tied this one up 23-23 with 10:50 remaining.

* USC finally presses the gas on offense in the second half. Led by Woody Marks, the Trojans go 75 yards in nine plays and 4:54 for a touchdown. Miller Moss hits Kyron Hudson on a quick slant for the 5-yard score. USC leads 30-23 with 5:56 remaining.

* Nick Singleton leaks out and USC doesn’t cover him as Drew Allar finds him for a 14-yard touchdown. It’s 30-30 with 2:53 remaining.

* Miller Moss throws high to Duce Robinson and it’s intercepted by Penn State. The Nittany Lions are going to get a shot at a hail mary with five seconds left.

* USC wide receiver Duce Robinson picks off a hail mary attempt on the final play of the game and this one is headed to overtime.

First Overtime

* Penn State wins the toss and elects to start on defense.

* USC goes backward on their overtime possession and Lantz hooks a 45-yard attempt wide left. Penn State is set up to win this game with just a field goal.

* Penn State connects on a 37-yard field goal and the Nittany Lions win it in overtime, 33-30.