Final: Trojans survive Oregon State, late comeback for 17-14 victory.
No. 7 USC and Oregon State meet in a battle of 3-0 teams in Corvallis on Saturday night.
Follow along with running game commentary. You can also visit and read the game thread on the WeAreSC Members Only message board.
Pregame
Prep for the game with USC’s hype video ahead of the trip to Oregon State.
* Left tackles Courtland Ford and Bobby Haskins are going through early warmups. Both suffered injuries recently. Ford did not play against Fresno State and Haskins went to the sideline multiple times. Head coach Lincoln Riley called both “full participants” in practice this week.
* The Oregon State student section is here early and they are loud. This is USC’s first visit to Reser Stadium since 2018 and they have been waiting for the Trojans.
* Wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. is not in attendance. Riley announced earlier this week that Bryant plans to redshirt this season.
* Linebacker Tuasivi Nomura is not in attendance.
* Cornerbacks Josh Jackson Jr. and Domani Jackson are both in uniform and participating in warmups. Neither has seen game action this season.
* Haskins warmed up with the first team at left tackle. Would anticipate him to start there for the second game in a row.
* Oregon State wins the toss and elects to defer to the second half. USC will receive the ball to open the game.
First quarter
* Caleb Williams starts the game 1-for-6 passing and USC kicker Denis Lynch missed a 36-yard field goal. It’s not the start USC wanted in Corvallis.
* The bright spot is Travis Dye, who has 70 yards on six carries.
* Oregon State had 80 total yards in the half, but the Beavers are driving as the quarter end. It’ll be 2nd-and-9 from the USC 19-yard line to start the second quarter.
Second quarter
* Oregon State stays perfect in the red zone this season. The Beavers cap off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run by Deshaun Fenwick. It’s 7-0 Oregon State with 13:18 left in the first half. This is the first time the Trojans have trailed in any game this season.
* Big, big interception by linebacker Eric Gentry. Trojans needed that with the Beavers driving.
* USC turns the Gentry interception into three points. Denis Lynch connects from 42 yards out.
* Mario Williams picked up his first reception of the game, for 22 yards. Jordan Addison still does not have a reception. And Caleb Williams is just 5-for-16 passing, for 56 yards.
* USC’s defense holds and forces an Oregon State punt, but the Trojans can’t get anything started in the final minute. Oregon State takes a 7-3 lead into halftime.
Halftime Stats
USC Trojans
Total Yards – 190
Rushing Yards – 126
Passing Yards – 64
Caleb Williams – 6-for-18, 64 yards. Three carries for 19 yards.
Travis Dye – Nine carries for 92 yards
Tahj Washington – Two receptions for 19 yards
Mario Williams – One reception for 22 yards
Max Williams – Six tackles
Eric Gentry – Three tackles and an interception.
Oregon State
Total Yards – 179
Rushing Yards – 83
Passing Yards – 96
Chance Nolan – 9-for-11, 96 yards, one interception.
Deshaun Fenwick – Eight carries for 20 yards, one touchdown.
Jam Griffin – Four carries for 42 yards.
Anthony Gould – Three receptions for 33 yards.
Tyjon Lindsey – Three receptions for 21 yards.
Third Quarter
* USC will kick off to start the third quarter.
* Tuli Tuipulotu with a big-time tackle for loss on third down. Oregon State lines up to go for it on fourth down but quarterback Chance Nolan steps back and executes a perfect punt down to the USC one-yard line. It’s USC’s ball for the first time in the second half, with 11:02 remaining in the third quarter. First and ten at the Trojans’ one-yard line.
* Jordan Addison hauls in his first catch of the day on a 3rd-and-10 from inside USC’s own one-yard line. Big play for the Trojans to get away from the endzone.
* Another huge turnover forced by the USC defense. Ceyair Wright grabs an interception and runs it back to the OSU 26-yard line. USC offense has to take advantage here.
The final play of the third quarter is a quick throw to Brenden Rice, who takes it 10 yards to set up a third-and-five from the OSU 10-yard line to start the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
* Boom. Travis Dye runs it in from 7 yards out on a 4th-and-3 to put the Trojans ahead 10-7.
* Looked like a crucial third-down conversion for Oregon State but the Beavers are called for holding. OSU is then flagged for delay of game. An incompletion to follow sets up a 46-yard field goal attempt that sails wide. USC takes over possession at the 28-yard line with 8:34 remaining.
* USC’s offense goes backwards and the Trojans have to punt it out of their own endzone.
* Oregon State takes advantage of great field position, starting a drive at the USC 22-yard line and getting into the endzone just two plays later. It’s Oregon State ahead 14-10 with just 4:41 left.
* With 1:19 remaining, USC has 2nd and 10 at the OSU 21-yard line.
* Touchdown USC. With 1:13 remaining, Caleb Williams connects with WR Jordan Addison for a 21-yard scoring reception. Lynch converts the PAT. USC 17, OSU 14.
* OSU takes over at their own 32.
* Max Wiliams intercepts Chance Nolan’s pass and Trojans’ takes over at the SC 32-yard line. Clock is running.
* Trojans run out the clock and win 17-14 and survive the upset in Corvallis, thanks to a great defensive effort, four turnovers, and timely offensive execution at the end.
