Las Vegas, NV— In a trip down memory lane, Lincoln Riley recalled a crucial play from his coaching days at Oklahoma when his team secured a last-second victory against Texas. This recollection surfaced as his current team, No. 23 Southern California, found themselves in need of a decisive play in their season opener against No. 13 LSU. Led by quarterback Miller Moss, Southern California secured a thrilling 27-20 victory with a late touchdown.
The loss marked LSU’s third consecutive season-opening defeat under coach Brian Kelly, while Southern California demonstrated their potential in their inaugural season of Big Ten Conference play. Knowing that a field goal was all No. 23 Southern California needed Sunday night, Riley thought back to that play. A run was called for Woody Marks, who rushed 13 yards up the middle to score with 8 seconds left and beat No. 13 LSU 27-20.
“I told someone on the headset, ‘It wouldn’t surprise me if he creases this,'” Riley said. “And, of course, it happened.”
USC in its first season in the Big Ten Conference, sent a very loud message with this win in the teams’ first meeting in 40 years that the Trojans could be a factor this season after going a 8-5 last year.
“That was some pretty good Big Ten football today,” Riley said with a smile.
Both teams missed chances — the Tigers were stopped on downs after reaching the USC 3-yard line, and Trojans kicker Michael Lantz missed a 29-yard field goal wide right as the first half ended. The Trojans could have had an additional 30-40 seconds on their final possession, but Riley chose not to call a timeout before LSU tied the game with a 45-yard field goal by Damian Ramos with 1:08 remaining.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the Trojans taking a 20-17 lead with 5:44 remaining in regulation when Moss connected with Ja’Kobi Lane for a 28-yard touchdown. However, a 31-yard field goal by Ramos tied the game, leaving 1:47 on the clock.
Miller Moss passed for 378 yards and a touchdown. His 20-yard completion to Kyron Hudson and a subsequent targeting penalty on LSU with 18 seconds to go set up the winning score by Marks.
