USC Opens Up With Win Over LSU In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 01: Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic between the USC Trojans and the LSU Tigers on September 1, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

LAS VEGAS, NV– USC began a promising new chapter of their historic football program by playing their inaugural game as a member of the BIG 10 Conference on Sunday, September 1.  Behind Trojans new phenom, quarterback Miller Moss engineered a touchdown with under a minute, Allegiant Stadium was mayhem as the NO. 23 USC Trojans upset the NO.13 LSU Tigers 27-20.

Both USC and the Tigers featured new quarterbacks, replacing former Heisman Trophy recipients Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniel’s from LSU. Both USC’s Moss and LSU’s  Garrett Nussmeier’s were magnificent in their debut. 

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 01: Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic between the USC Trojans and the LSU Tigers on September 1, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

Moss just had the ball last for the Trojans. 

With 1:47 remaining in the game-it seemed USC would be conservative-a few runs to kill the clock for the inevitable Overtime.  USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley clearly had another trick up his sleeve. 

 Moss, poised and confident guiding USC into Tiger territory. Completing his first five passes on the drive, and with 18 seconds left, Kyron Hudson made his second one-handed catch of the night to put the Trojans in field goal range. 

However, victory was far from secure. Prior to the first half ending, USC missed an easy 29-yard field goal heading into the locker room. 

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 01: Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic between the USC Trojans and the LSU Tigers on September 1, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

USC running back Woody Marks bowled his way into the end zone with eight seconds left. 

After the reception, LSU’s Jardin Gilbert was called for targeting, putting the Trojans at the LSU 13. Woody Marks bowled his bowled his way into the end zone with eight seconds left,  giving USC a 27-20 lead over LSU with eight seconds left. 

The aforementioned Hudson had what might already be the catch of the year earlier in the game back in the second quarter, and the Trojans found the end zone two plays later with a Marks score to go up, 7-0.

Both teams exchanged punts to begin the second half, but USC found the middle of the uprights midway through the third. LSU, though, responded with a seven-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that ended in Nussmeier’s second touchdown, this time to Aaron Anderson.

In a stat that seems too wild to be real, Sunday night’s loss is the fifth consecutive Week 1 defeat for LSU since the Tigers went undefeated in 2019 on the way to a national title.

64,000 fans piled into Allegiant Stadium, setting a stadium record. It was an  incredibly, electric albeit a disorienting feeling with the decibels rising. 

The Trojans also made a change at defensive coordinator in the offseason after firing Alex Grinch during the 2023 season. USC hired UCLA coordinator D’Anton Lynn to run the defense over the offseason and the change was evident on Sunday. 

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 01: Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic between the USC Trojans and the LSU Tigers on September 1, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

The Trojans looked much more physical and were far better tacklers than they have been in recent seasons. Yes, LSU racked up 421 yards of offense, but it was a fine first showing for the USC defense.

It was an emotional rollercoaster, but USC pervailed over a Top 25 opponent which is reason to be excited about the 2024 squad. 

Moss, completed 27 of 36 passes for 378 yards and a touchdown. Where LSU was conservative with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.

Yet it was his poise late that was especially eye-opening. Twice on USC’s clinching drive, Moss snuck a bullet pass between two defenders. Earlier in the game, he threw into a crowd of LSU defenders to find wideout Kyron Hudson for a leaping, one-handed grab.

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“I got a lot of belief in him,” Riley said. “He’s a tough competitor, man. That’s what he’s proven.”

Next week, USC celebrates their home opener at the Coliseum facing Utah State at 8:00 pm. It was a barn burner, everything a USC fan dreams of. We are the USC Trojans, regardless of whichever Conference their in.