Woody Marks’ 13-yard touchdown run with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter carried No. 23 USC past No. 13 LSU 27-20 on Sunday night in Las Vegas. Marks took the handoff from quarterback Miller Moss, briefly darted right and powered through the LSU defensive line.
It marked another opening-game loss for LSU head coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers. But Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley had his offense focused and poised throughout the winning fourth-quarter drive.
Miller Moss Stands Tall For USC
Miller Moss and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier put on a clinic at Allegiant Stadium. In front of a packed house, both QBs had their offenses clicking on all cylinders. The Trojans were tremendously helped by their wide receiver corps. There were a couple of highlight-reel grabs.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Moss told ESPN’s Holly Rowe about his team’s performance. “I’m just really proud of our team.” Marks told Rowe, “We found a way to get the job done.”
WOODY MARKS WITH THE DAGGER VS. LSU 😤 pic.twitter.com/RplIJQwauY
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 2, 2024
It marked USC’s first victory as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Trojans also have some bragging rights over LSU, a Southeastern Conference member.
Moss led his team down the field on an eight-play, 75-yard drive, Yahoo reported. He put the Trojans’ game-winning hopes in his hands, making a two-minute-drill look like no big deal. The drive lasted a little more than 90 seconds. Before Marks’ game-winning carry, wide receiver Kyron Hudson snagged a Moss pass with one hand for 20 yards. A targeting call against LSU put the Trojans half the distance to the goal.
Soon, the USC faithful gathered in Las Vegas had a reason to go and celebrate.
What an opener for Moss, though. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 378 yards and a touchdown. The Trojans intercepted a Nussmeier pass on a last-gasp drive by the Tigers. When that happened, it was game, set, match Trojans.
Kyron Hudson Makes A Play
Nussmeier was no slouch in the pocket for the Tigers, though. He piled up 191 yards in the first half, connecting with Kyren Lacy seven times for 94 yards and a TD.
Yet people are going to be talking about an incredible, improbable one-handed catch Hudson made. Hudson leapt into the air and snagged a Moss pass with one hand. He had LSU defenders all over him, but Hudson grabbed the catch and held on for dear life. Folks, we’re talking Catch of the Year candidate in Week 1.
📺 ABC
📱 https://t.co/M1RwFNxzJl https://t.co/5ySYK8Zr6b pic.twitter.com/nizA58GypA— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) September 2, 2024
With the score tied 10-10 at halftime, the Trojans headed back to the red zone in the third quarter. But all they could get was a Michael Lantz 35-yard field goal to go up 13-10. Nussmeier connected with Aaron Anderson for a 14-yard TD pass for a 17-13 LSU lead.
Moss hit Ja’Kobi Lane for a 28-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter for a 20-17 lead. Damian Ramos’ 31-yard field goal made it through the uprights for the Tigers, tying the game at 20-20. This, of course, turned into “Miller Time” for the Trojans.
Marks scored USC’s first TD in the first quarter on a 2-yard run.
For LSU, it is the fifth straight opening-game loss. They were ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Now, Tigers’ fans will have to wait and see if they stay among college football’s ranked programs.
The Trojans host Utah State on Sept. 7 while LSU heads home to “Death Valley” and will host Nicholls in Baton Rouge, La.
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