Game balls from Michigan football's 31-13 loss at USC

The Michigan Wolverines fell 31-13 at USC on Saturday night to fall to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play. The Trojans are now 5-1 and 2-1 in the conference, and will likely be ranked in the new polls that come out on Sunday afternoon.

There were a handful of players on both sides of the matchup who did their part in the Week 7 outing. Here are the game ball picks for this week, which include a tip of the cap to a handful of USC stars and the few bright spots to come out of Michigan’s performance.

USC freshman running back King Miller

The Trojans looked like they might be in trouble when running back Waymond Jordan, who was second in the Big Ten in rushing yards, was injured in the first half. It did not matter, and a star came down from the clouds on Saturday night for USC. Freshman King Miller was a revelation in this game, rushing 18 times for 158 yards and a touchdown to pace their offense and put the spotlight on their run game instead of Michigan’s. The play of the game was a 49-yard run on a third-and-26 play that led to a USC score. He was pinballing off of Michigan defenders all night.

USC junior wide receiver Makai Lemon

Makai Lemon might be the best wide receiver in the Big Ten that is not named Jeremiah Smith. The 5-foot-11 receiver plays much bigger than that and hauled in 9 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, which he scored on a slot fade targeting Michigan freshman cornerback Jayden Sanders in the end zone. He looks a lot like former USC star and NFL All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown in his ability to run crisp routes and be a safety blanket for his quarterback, no matter where he is on the field.

Michigan freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh

Perhaps the biggest bright spot of the last few weeks for Michigan has been the emergence of a legitimate wide receiver weapon in freshman Andrew Marsh, who got his second-straight start on Saturday. He finished the game with 8 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown, a 69-yard score in the fourth quarter. Marsh and quarterback Bryce Underwood should have plenty of those connections over the next few years, and he looks every bit the player we thought he had a chance to be coming out of high school. We just did not expect it this early, which is a credit to him and also the path the other options at the position have allowed him to have to get on the field.

USC senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald

The former North Carolina State safety had 2 interceptions on Saturday night thanks to ill-advised throws from both Underwood and Michigan backup quarterback Jadyn Davis. He now has 5 interceptions on the season.

Honorable mentions

USC QB Jayden Maiava: 25-for-32, 265 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception

Michigan QB Bryce Underwood: 15-for-24, 207 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception

Michigan WR Donaven McCulley: 3 catches, 39 yards, touchdown

Michigan defenders Jyaire Hill, Derrick Moore, Zeke Berry: Combined for 2 turnovers on the night (forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception)