Second-half surge propels USC to 38-21 comeback win over Wisconsin

The No. 13 USC Trojans (2-1) host the Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) for the first Big Ten conference game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. We’re at the Coliseum providing running updates before and during what is a significant game for both programs coming off a loss and looking to get back into the win column.

USC – Wisconsin reading

WeAreSC staff predictions for Trojans – Badgers

Five questions for USC against Wisconsin

Keys to the Game: How USC beats Wisconsin

Behind Enemy Lines: A Badger perspective of USC – Wisconsin

Game Thread: Share your thoughts on USC – Wisconsin at GarryP’s Trojan Huddle

USC – Wisconsin Injury Report

USC will be without tight end Lake McRee, wide receiver Makai Lemon, offensive linemen Kilian O’Connor and Micah Banuelos and defensive tackle Bear Alexander in this game. All are listed as “out” against Wisconsin.

Safety Akili Arnold is listed as “questionable” but not expected to play.

McRee, Lemon and Arnold were all injured against Michigan. Alexander made the decision this week to redshirt the remainder of the season. O’Connor and Banuelos were also out for last week’s game against the Wolverines.

Pregame

* Game captains today for the Trojans: QB Miller Moss, RB Woody Marks, DE Jamil Muhammad and DB/LB Anthony Beavers.

* Former running back Ronald Jones will lead the team out of the tunnel today. Jones isn’t always recognized as part of the Trojans’ RBU legacy, but he should be. He played just three seasons but is No. 5 all-time on USC’s rushing leader list with 3,619 yards. He’s also No. 5 for career rushing touchdowns for the Trojans. His 1,550 rushing yards in 2017 is the No. 8 single-season mark in Trojans’ history and his 19 scores on the ground that year is tied for No. 4. His four-touchdown game against Oregon in 2016 makes him one of 14 USC players to reach that mark in a game.

* It looks like Amos Talalele is going to get the start at right guard according to position group warmups. The Trojans will likely be on alert when it comes to the offensive line in terms of changes and adjustments. USC can’t have the same kind of performance that it put on the field against Michigan up front.

* USC players not dressed to participate today: S Akili Arnold, CB Maliki Crawford, S Jarvis Boatwright Jr., LB Jadyn Walker, LB Matt Galvan, OL Jack Susnjar, OL Kilian O’Connor, OL Hayden Treter, OL Makai Saina, OL Kalolo Ta’aga, TE Lake McRee, TE Carson Tabaracci, and WR Makai Lemon.

* Wisconsin won the opening coin toss and elected to defer. USC will receive the opening kick.

First Quarter

* USC picks up a key fourth-down conversion on a run by Woody Marks and then Miller Moss goes deep down the sideline to Ja’Kobi Lane for a 32-yard score. That was a great grab by Lane while going to the ground against good coverage. It’s 7-0 USC with 12:23 remaining in the first quarter.

* Quick answer from Wisconsin as quarterback Braedyn Locke goes deep down the sideline to Vinny Anthony for a 63-yard scoring strike. It’s 7-7 with 10:52 remaining in the first quarter.

* USC moves it a bit but back-to-back incompletions brings out punter Eddie Czaplicki. Wisconsin will take over at its own 12-yard line with 7:15 remaining in the first quarter.

* USC forces a Wisconsin punt but Atticus Bertrams gets a good roll on a 74-yard punt that forces the Trojans to start from their own one-yard line.

* Moss throws an interception on a ball down the field intended for Branch. That’s two picks in two weeks on passes thrown his way. Preston Zachman comes down with the interception.

* USC forces a punt and Zachariah Branch muffs the return. Wisconsin recovers the ball and Tawee Walker runs for an 18-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. The Badgers take a 14-7 lead with 14:44 left in the first half.

* USC kicker Michael Lantz hits a 41-yard field goal to make it 14-10 Wisconsin with 9:43 remaining in the half. The Trojans were set to go for a fourth-and-one but a false start pushed them back and Riley elected to go for the field goal.

* Wisconsin uses a 35-yard pass play to help march down the field and Walker goes in from four yards out for his second score of the day. Wisconsin pushes its lead to 21-10 with 6:29 remaining in the second quarter.

* Wisconsin gets home on a blitz from safety Austin Brown and gets a sack/fumble. The Badgers recover it and will have a chance to add to their first-half lead with 3:36 remaining in the second quarter.

* The Trojans get a defensive stop but can’t do anything with their possession late in the half. They’ll take a 21-10 deficit into halftime and kick to start the third quarter.

Third Quarter

* USC forces a Wisconsin punt and the Badgers do it right back to the Trojans. But USC’s punt is muffed by the Wisconsin returner and long snapper Hank Pepper recovers at the Wisconsin 30-yard line.

* The Trojans capitalize on the Wisconsin turnover as Moss finds Lane again in the endzone. This one on third down from six yards out. It’s 21-17 Wisconsin with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter.

* Big, big play from the USC defense as Kamari Ramsey comes off the edge for a tackle for loss on a fourth-and-short. Anthony Lucas was heavily involved as well. USC will take over at its own 33-yard line with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter.

* USC regains the lead as Moss hits Duce Robinson for two big plays on that drive. The first was a 32-yard completion on third-and-seven. The second was an eight-yard touchdown throw on another third-and-seven. It’s 24-21 USC with 1:28 left in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

* Miller Moss with his best Caleb Williams impression on a fourth-down zone read where he makes to Wisconsin defenders miss and twirls airborne into the endzone for a touchdown. That pushes the USC lead to 31-21 with 8:22 remaining in the game.

* The USC defense holds again and that’s four-straight Wisconsin drives in the second half without points. The Trojans take over at their own 15-yard line with 7:19 remaining in the game.

* Mason Cobb with a huge heads up play to grab the ball out of the air after it hits off two players. He takes it back 55 yards for a touchdown and pushes the USC lead to 38-21 with 5:04 to play. That should do it in this one.

* Wisconsin rips off a long kickoff return to set themselves up in good field position but USC comes up with a fourth-down stop and will take over at its own 12-yard line. Jayden Maiava comes in at quarterback to finish this one off for the Trojans.

* USC runs a few times and Maiava takes a knee to give the Trojans their first Big Ten conference win in history, 38-21. What a second half performance by the Trojans, who outscored the Badgers 28-0 over the final two quarters.