Rutgers Nearly Upsets USC in Close Game
Rutgers came remarkably close to achieving a significant upset against No. 12 USC on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights’ chances were severely impacted by a poorly timed Pick Six in the third quarter and what many deemed a questionable illegal substitution penalty. Had those events played out differently, perhaps the Trojans would have been facing a more critical spotlight on Sunday morning. In the midst of Rutgers’ defeat, head coach Greg Schiano had quite the explosive moment on the sidelines.
USC was in the midst of a drive, aiming for another score that could have sent many fans in Piscataway, New Jersey, home early. However, an inadvertent whistle paused the action, leading to a new third-down situation. It would have been 3rd-and-7 from USC’s 28-yard line, but an illegal substitution call against Rutgers advanced the ball a few yards, much to Schiano’s frustration.
Schiano wasn’t shy about expressing his anger. The CBS broadcast captured him vocally confronting one of the side judges. His assistant struggled to pull him back as Schiano became animated; in fact, he even knocked over a field marker during his outburst. It was quite a scene.
Meanwhile, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava initially threw an incomplete pass, leading to a fourth down. However, he managed to complete a critical 32-yard pass on the subsequent attempt, which kept the drive alive. Though USC ultimately turned the ball over on downs, Rutgers failed to capitalize on their next possession.
The game continued with a series of touchdowns exchanged between the Trojans and Scarlet Knights. In the end, USC held on for a narrow 42-35 victory.
This game was one of the strongest performances Rutgers showcased all season after suffering a heavy loss to UMass earlier in the year and facing another setback against Boston College. They totaled an impressive 460 yards in the loss, with quarterback Dylan Lonergan contributing three touchdowns and two interceptions. On the other side, USC’s King Miller rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown.
While the Trojans improved to 4-0 with this win, it’s evident that they have plenty to address if they aspire to navigate the playoff landscape come December.
