Game recap: Michigan sluggish in lopsided loss at USC

The Michigan Wolverines fell to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play with a lopsided 31-13 loss to the USC Trojans.

Michigan was disjointed from the jump and dominated by the time the game was over. Leaving a day early to go out to the West Coast did not have the impact the coaching staff thought it would. The most notable setback was an injury to running back Justice Haynes, who left in the first half and did not return to the game.

Here is the blow-by-blow recap from Los Angeles.

First quarter

Michigan won the opening coin toss and elected to defer, starting the game out on defense. It was another start where the opposing offense made things look too easy. The Trojans went 75 yards in 11 plays and took an early lead thanks to a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Maiava to wideout Ja’Kobi Lane. After the extra point, USC led 7-0 with 8:57 to go in the quarter. The Wolverines did not respond well on their next drive, going three-and-out and gaining only two yards, punting down to the USC 29-yard line with 7:55 left in the quarter.

On its next possession, USC converted a fourth-and-1 in its own territory and looked to be driving toward its second score of the game. However, junior cornerback Jyaire Hill forced a fumble at the Michigan 8-yard line that was recovered by EDGE Derrick Moore. U-M’s offense would take over there with 3:01 to go in the quarter.

The Wolverines drove into USC territory on their next drive, ending the quarter facing a second-and-6 from the USC 42-yard line as time expired on the first quarter.

USC 7, Michigan 0

Second quarter

Michigan closed out its drive by stalling at the USC 43-yard line, then punting down to the Trojans’ 10-yard line with 11:55 to go in the quarter. USC went 29 yards in seven plays on its next possession and stalled on its 39-yard line, punting down to the Michigan 14-yard line with 9:12 to go.

Michigan followed with its best drive of the first half, going 86 yards in 14 plays and scoring a touchdown on an 8-yard pass from freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood to graduate wide receiver Donaven McCulley, their second TD connection in as many weeks. After the extra point, Michigan and USC were tied at 7-7 with 3:04 to go in the half.

The Trojans walked right down the field on the ensuing possession, going 75 yards in nine plays to take the lead back at 14-7 with 14 seconds to go on a connection from Maiava to wideout Makai Lemon from 12 yards out. Michigan ran a play for four yards and let the clock run out, trailing 14-7 with the chance to have the ball to start the third quarter.

USC 14, Michigan 7

Third quarter

The Wolverines started the second half with the football after deferring in the opening coin toss. U-M went three-and-out on its first drive, losing a yard and punting to USC around midfield, where the Trojans would take over at the 48-yard line. Five plays and 52 yards later, USC tailback King Miller scored from 15 yards out, set up by a run of 49 yards on third-and-26 on the drive. After the extra point, USC led 21-7 with 10:45 left in the quarter.

Michigan ran five plays for 12 yards on its next possession, leading to another punt back to the Trojans, who took over on their 29-yard line with 7:56 to go. Five plays and 56 yards later, an ill-advised Maiava interception, hauled in by Zeke Berry, gave Michigan the ball back at its 4-yard line with 5 minutes left in the quarter. The Wolverines went 67 yards in 10 plays, but Underwood threw his second pick of the season, which was returned to the USC 22-yard line with 37 seconds to go. The quarter would run out with the Trojans leading 21-7.

USC 21, Michigan 7

Fourth quarter

USC capped off its drive that went across two quarters with a 54-yard field goal, and the Trojans held a 24-7 lead with 10:01 to go. Two plays later, Michigan responded on a 69-yard touchdown pass from Underwood to freshman Andrew Marsh. The Wolverines attempted to go for two, but the attempt was no good on a jump ball to McCulley. The score was 24-13 with 9:17 to go in the game.

USC marched right down the field on its next possession, going 75 yards in nine plays and icing the game on a 29-yard touchdown run from Bryan Jackson. After the extra point, the Trojans led 31-13 with 4:21 to go. Michigan turned the ball over on downs after gaining five yards on four plays, giving USC the ball back at the 30-yard line with 3:01 to go. The Trojans went three-and-out on their next drive, punting back to Michigan at its 20-yard line. Backup quarterback Jadyn Davis threw an interception, which led to USC kneeling the clock out with 20 seconds left.

FINAL: USC 31, Michigan 13

Final Michigan at USC box score