This was the start of a new era for both USC and LSU, but only one of those teams got off to an ideal start.
Miller Moss, who just took over for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, kept his composure and drove down the field late to help the 23rd-ranked Trojans to a 27-20 win over No. 13 LSU on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
The game was tied at 20-20 going into a timeout with 1:47 left in the half, but that was all USC needed. Miller Moss completed his first five passes on the drive, and Kyron Hudson made his second one-handed catch of the night with 18 seconds left to put the Trojans within field goal range.
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Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Silvani – USA Today Sports)
After the reception, LSU's Jardin Gilbert was targeted, pushing the Trojans to the LSU 13. Then Woody Marks scored for his second time of the night with 8 seconds left to put USC up 27-20 against LSU. Garrett Nussmeier's first pass of the miracle drive was intercepted, all but ending the drive.
Hudson made what was already arguably his best catch of the year in the second quarter of the game, and the Trojans reached the end zone two plays later on Marks' score.
Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Silvani – USA Today Sports)
LSU player ruled unsportsmanlike conduct for pretending to fire gun after touchdown
However, LSU scored on a Kylen Lacy touchdown on the ensuing drive. However, after the score, he appeared to pretend to fire a gun and was penalized 15 yards on the kickoff. USC tried to take advantage but were eventually forced to settle for a field goal. LSU responded, with USC missing a field goal just before the end of halftime and heading into the locker room with the score tied at 10-10.
The teams traded punts to start the second period. USC got to the center of the goal posts midway through the third, but LSU responded with a seven-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that ended with Nussmeyer's second touchdown, this time to Aaron Anderson.
Midway through the fourth quarter, USC was at the LSU 36-yard line and elected to go for it on fourth down and nine, but Miller Moss' pass was incomplete. But after blocking three consecutive attempts, the Trojans needed just three plays to take the lead. Moss set up Jacobi Lane for a spectacular over-the-shoulder touchdown catch to give USC a three-point lead with 5:44 left in the game. But LSU kicked a tying field goal on their next drive, but it clearly wasn't enough.
Moss completed 27 of 36 passes for a career-high 378 yards, while Marks rushed 16 times for 68 yards, including two touchdowns.
Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Silvani – USA Today Sports)
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Nussmeyer, filling in for reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, impressed by completing 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards. Lacy led all receivers with seven receptions for 94 yards.
USC is expected to move up quite a bit in the rankings and returns home to take on Utah State on Saturday, but it will be interesting to see how far LSU moves up the rankings when it hosts Nicholls next weekend.
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