Entering Saturday’s Big Ten showdown, Lincoln Riley was working out of excuses, working out of goodwill and, relying on whom you requested, working out of time as head coach of the USC Trojans.
But on Halloween evening, Riley lastly gave the Trojans followers something they hadn’t seen in 5 years: a signature victory over a top-five opponent.
One week after hitting all-time low in a humiliating loss to Wisconsin, USC delivered the largest upset of the faculty soccer season, beautiful No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.
For Riley, it was arguably the largest victory of his collegiate teaching profession and unquestionably his most interesting second since arriving in Los Angeles in November 2021.
For Ohio State, it was a Halloween nightmare.
The Buckeyes entered Saturday with a 6-1 report, CFP Championship aspirations and one of the most gifted rosters in America. They left Los Angeles with their nationwide championship hopes bruised and their offense uncovered.
Luke Fahey #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the USC Trojans during a sport at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. Getty Images
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) seems to be to move against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Los Angeles, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. Getty Images
USC, meanwhile, resurrected a season that appeared lifeless and buried just seven days earlier.
Against one of the finest groups in the nation, USC seemed nothing like the lifeless squad that rushed for an astonishing minus-17 yards in Madison a week earlier.
The Trojans wanted just two performs to announce themselves on the nationwide stage against the Buckeyes. Freshman large receiver Trent Mosley caught a display screen move from Jayden Maiava and exploded through the Buckeyes’ protection for a 69-yard landing less than a minute into the sport.
The Coliseum erupted, USC rushed out to an early 7-0 lead and would never look back.
Ohio State, enjoying with out injured beginning quarterback Julian Sayin, struggled to discover its rhythm behind freshman Luke Fahey. Even with Heisman Trophy candidate Jeremiah Smith at receiver, the Buckeyes couldn’t persistently end drives.
Connor Hawkins related on 4 area targets, but USC’s protection refused to give up the finish zone.
Waymond Jordan, who missed last week’s catastrophe against Wisconsin, returned with a 9-yard landing run that prolonged USC’s lead to 14-3.
Even when USC threatened to sabotage itself, the Buckeyes couldn’t capitalize on the errors.
King Miller fumbled close to midfield, handing Ohio State glorious area place. But with the Buckeyes threatening to rating, USC’s protection stiffened close to its objective line, forcing Hawkins’ third area objective.
Instead of surrendering momentum, the Trojans preserved their lead.
Caden Chittenden, who missed both field-goal makes an attempt against Wisconsin, added another three factors before halftime, sending USC into the locker room main 20-9.
For a program that had spent the earlier week being questioned about everything from its toughness to its teaching, the transformation was outstanding.
The Buckeyes took the opening kickoff of the second half and instantly began driving down the area. With Ohio State threatening to claw its means back, Isaiah West caught a move from Fahey before USC linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered a deal with that jarred the soccer unfastened. Defensive deal with Floyd Boucard recovered the fumble, and the Trojans were in enterprise.
Moments later, freshman tight finish Mark Bowman produced the play of the evening, hurdling a defender during a spectacular 70-yard catch-and-run that set up Miller’s 1-yard landing.
Suddenly, USC led 27-9.
Ohio State lastly scored a landing with 2:12 remaining in the sport, when Fahey discovered Smith for the rating, making him the Big Ten’s all-time receiving landing chief. But the Trojans stopped the ensuing two-point conversion to seal the victory.
Riley had lastly overwhelmed a top-three opponent at USC, and the Trojans had reminded the relaxation of faculty soccer that their season wasn’t completed.
For one unforgettable Halloween evening, the ghosts haunting Riley’s tenure were nowhere to be discovered.
Southern California working back Waymond Jordan celebrates a landing against Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Ryan Sun
What it means
USC’s College Football Playoff hopes have a pulse again.
At 7-2, the Trojans stay susceptible after ugly losses to Oregon and Wisconsin, but beating No. 2 Ohio State adjustments the dialog. Riley lastly has the signature victory his critics have demanded, and the calls for his firing should quiet significantly.
USC’s path stays tough, but beating No. 4 Indiana in Bloomington after the bye could put the Trojans firmly back in the playoff dialogue.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, left, speaks with sports activities analyst Stephen A. Smith before a faculty soccer sport Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Ryan Sun
Turning level
Ohio State was threatening to make it a three-point sport when Desman Stephens II compelled Isaiah West’s fumble and Floyd Boucard recovered. USC instantly answered with Mark Bowman’s spectacular 70-yard acquire and King Miller’s landing.
Instead of 20-17, the scoreboard learn 27-9.
A possible 15-point swing that buried the Buckeyes.
Did you see that?
Mark Bowman might have delivered the spotlight of USC’s season.
The freshman tight finish caught a move and hurdled an Ohio State defender during an electrifying 70-yard catch-and-run, setting up Miller’s landing.
Up next
USC gets a much-needed bye before touring to Bloomington for a showdown with No. 4 Indiana, the defending nationwide champions. A victory over the Hoosiers could rework the Trojans from playoff outsiders into reputable contenders.
Ohio State returns house to face an unranked Oregon crew coming off an upset of No. 20 Northwestern. The Buckeyes will want to regroup rapidly, significantly if Sayin stays sidelined.
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