USC overpowers No. 15 Michigan for a signature Big Ten win

The walk-on took his place next to USC’s quarterback, the last man standing in a battered backfield. In the midst of a bruising Big Ten battle with Michigan, where brawn and ball control were at a premium, both of the Trojans’ top two running backs had already been carted up the Coliseum tunnel. Two of their top linemen, meanwhile, started Saturday in street clothes. The circumstances were anything but ideal for a team whose season hung in the balance.

King Miller, though, was already familiar with beating long odds. Not long ago, the redshirt freshman was buried on the depth chart, a preferred walk-on from Calabasas High without any obvious path to playing time at USC. He’d chosen the Trojans over other opportunities, knowing he might not ever get his shot.

But that was before Saturday, before Miller saw a crease in the Michigan defense, before he took off on a breakaway, game-changing run that broke open the game and eventually lifted USC to a statement-making, 31-13 win over No. 15 Michigan.

USC 31, No. 15 Michigan 13, end of fourth quarter

USC started on the Michigan 30 after the Wolverines’ turnover on downs.

Bryan Jackson ran for two yards. USC was called for false start. On second-and-14, Jackson was dropped for a five-yard loss. On third-amd-19, Miller King ran for two yards before the two-minute timeout was triggered.

USC punted and Michigan stared on its 20.

Jadyn Davis tossed an incomplete pass. Davis was sacked for a loss of six yards. Jordan Marshall ran for one yard. On fourth-and-15 at the Michigan 14 with 25 seconds left, Bishop Fitzgerald intercepted Davis’ pass and ran it back one yard. It Fitzgerald’s fifth interception of the season.

USC took a knee to run out the clock.

USC 31, No. 15 Michigan 13, 3:04 left in fourth quarter

Michigan started on its 25 after the touchback.

Bryce Underwood was sacked by Devan Thompkins for a loss of 11 yards. Underwood tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-21 on the Michigan 14, USC took a timeout. Underwood tossed a shovel pass to Jordan Marshall for 16 yards. On fourth-and-five, Underwood tossed behind his receiver under heavy pressure and turned the ball over on downs.

USC 31, No. 15 Michigan 13, 4:26 left in fourth quarter

USC started on its 25 after the kickoff.

King Miller ran for no gain. Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Ja’Kobi Lane. Maiava passed to Lake McRee for a 20-yard gain. Michigan called timeout to force officials to review whether McRee was down in control of the ball before the ball was yanked away from him. The play was upheld.

Maiava passed to Makai Lemon for five yards and Michigan’s Trey Pierce was treated for an injury on the field. Maiava passed to Jaden Richardson for 10 yards. Bryan Jackson ran for five yards. Jackson ran for four yards. On third-and-one at the Michigan 31, King Miller ran for two yards.

Jackson broke free up the middle for a 29-yard touchdown. Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 24, No. 15 Michigan 13, 9:27 left in fourth quarter

Michigan started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jordan Marshall ran for six yards. Bryce Underwood then passed to Andrew Marsh for a 69-yard touchdown. Michigan tried to go for a two-point conversion, but Underwood overthrew it.

USC 24, No. 15 Michigan 7, 10:04 left in fourth quarter

USC started on its 22 after the interception. King Miller ran for one yard as time expired in the third quarter. Jayden Maiava passed to Makai Lemon for 18 yards. Miller ran for eight yards. Maiava passed to Jaden Richardson for five yards and to Tanook Hines for eight yards. Miller ran for two yards and a first down.

Miller ran for no gain and play stopped at the 11:27 mark while Michigan’s Cole Sullivan was treated for an injury. Sullivan walked off the field with assistance.

Maiava passed to Hines, who dropped the pass. On third-and-10 at the Michigan 36, Maiava scrambles out of bounds as USC was called for holding. On third-and-20 at the Michigan 36, Maiava passed to Lemon for nine yards. On fourth-and-11, Ryon Sayeri hit a 54-yard field goal to extend the USC lead.

USC 21, No. 15 Michigan 7, 37 seconds left in third quarter

Michigan started on its four-yard line after the interception call was reviewed and upheld.

Jordan Marshall ran for six yards. Bryce Underwood passed to Andrew Marsh for six yards. Marshall ran for 13 yards and another 10 yards. Underwood passed to Marsh for two yards. Underwood passed to Donaven McCulley for 19 yards. Underwood passed to Marshall for 11 yards to the USC 29.

Underwood’s pass to Marsh at the one-yard line was broken up. Bryson Kuzdzal ran for no gain. On third-and-10 at the USC 29, Underwood’s pass was intercepted by Bishop Fitzgerald and returned to the Trojans’ 26.

USC 21, No. 15 Michigan 7, 5:07 left in third quarter

USC started on its 29 after the punt.

King Miller ran for 47 yards to the Michigan 24.

Jayden Maiava passed Ja’Kobi Lane for 11 yards. Maiava faked a handoff and passed to Makai Lemon, but Michigan cut him off for a loss of one yard. On second-and-11, Miller ran for a one-yard loss.

On third-and-12 on the Michigan 15, Maiava was rolling right trying to evade pressure and tossed the ball right before he fell out of bounds. The pass was intercepted by Zeke Berry at the Wolverines’ four-yard line.

USC 21, No. 15 Michigan 7, 8:08 left in third quarter

Michigan started on its 25 after the touchback.

Bryce Underwood passed to Marlin Klein for five yards. Jordan Marshall ran for seven yards. Marshall ran for a one-yard loss. Underwood ran for one yard. On third-and-10 at the Michigan 37, Underwood tosses an incomplete pass.

Michigan punted and USC returned it two yards to the Trojans’ 29.

USC 21, No. 15 Michigan 7, 10:45 left in third quarter

USC started on its 48 after the punt.

Jayden Maiava tossed what was ruled an incomplete pass intended for Makai Lemon. Maiava passed to Lemon for a loss of one yard and Lemon was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

On third-and-26 at the USC 32, King Miller ran for 49 yards through the Michigan defense.

On first down at the Michigan 19, Miller ran for four yards. Miller ran for a 15-yard touchdown. Rayon Sayeri hit the extra point. Michigan was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play.

USC is down to its third-string running back thanks to injuries, Miller has had no trouble taking over rushing duties and coaches mimicked crowning him on the sideline after the series.

USC 14, No. 15 Michigan 7, 13:21 left in third quarter

Michigan started on its 25 after the kickoff.

Jordan Marshall ran for no gain. Blair Underwood completed a pass for nine yards, but Michigan was called for offensive pass interference. On second-and-22 at the Michigan 13, Marshall ran for five yards. Underwood ran for six yards to the Michigan 24.

Michigan punted and it was downed at the USC 48.

USC 14, No. 15 Michigan 7, end of second quarter

Michigan started on its 25 after the kickoff.

Jordan Marshall ran for four yards and time expired in the first half. Michigan will get the ball first to start the third quarter.

USC 14, No. 15 Michigan 7, 18 seconds left in the second quarter

USC started on its 25.

Waymond Jordan ran for two yards. Jordan was hurt on the play and hopped to the sideline before falling to the ground. He stood on the sideline later and could put no weight on one foot. Eli Sanders was previously knocked out of the game, further depleting USC’s running back group.

Jayden Maiava passed to Makai Lemon for 28 yards. Miller King ran for eight yards to the Michigan 37 before the two-minute timeout was triggered. Miller ran for one yard and then two more yards for the first down.

Maiava passed to Miller, who used a spin move to avoid a quick tackle and again five yards. Miller ran for another eight yards.

Maiava passed to Miller for a nine-yard gain.

USC called timeout with 15 seconds left.

After USC lined up, Michigan called timeout.

Maiava passed to Lemon for a 12-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 7, No. 15 Michigan 7, 3:09 left in the second quarter

Michigan started on its 14.

Justice Haynes ran for 13 yards and then for another seven. Bryce Underwood tossed an incomplete pass at his receiver’s feet. On third-and-three at the Michigan 34, Haynes ran for four yards. Hanes then ran for another three yards and USC’s Floyd Boucard was injured on the play.

Boucard walked off the field with the help of athletic trainers. During the same timeout, Haynes went to the injury tent.

Underwood tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-seven from the Michigan 41, Underwood passed to Donaven McCulley for 12 yards. Underwood passed to Andrew Marsh for 16 yards.

Jordan Marshall ran for two yards to the USC 29. Marshall ran for another 10 yards. Michigan was called for a false start. Marshall ran for five yards. On second-and-10, Underwood ran for 11 yards to the USC 8.

Marshall ran for no gain. Underwood passed to McCulley for an eight-yard touchdown. Michigan hit the extra point.

USC 7, No. 15 Michigan 0, 9:12 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 10 after the punt.

Waymond Jordan ran for four yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Walker Lyons for 21 yards. Jordan ran for six yards. Maiava passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for five yards. Maiava’s pass intended for Lyons was incomplete. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass backward to Tanook Hines that was ruled a fumble for a loss of seven yards. On third-and-17, Maiava tossed an incomplete pass.

Sam Johnson then punted to the Michigan 14.

USC 7, No. 15 Michigan 0, 11:55 left in the second quarter

Michigan started on its 8 after the fumble recovery.

Justice Haynes ran for five yards and then seven yards. Bryce Underwood passed for seven yards and 16 yards. Haynes then rushed for three yards to the Michigan 46 before time expired in the first quarter.

Haynes ran for nine yards. Haynes ran for a loss of four yards. Underwood passed to Andrew Marsh for 10 yards. On third-and-four at the USC 39, Michigan was called for false start. On third-and-nine at USC 32, Underwood was sacked by Bishop Fitzgerald for a loss of 11 yards.

Michigan punted to the USC 10 and the ball bounced out of bounds.

USC 7, No. 15 Michigan 0, 3:12 left in the first quarter

USC started on its 29.

Jayden Maiava passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for nine yards. Waymond Jordan ran for no gain twice. The second run was reviewed and upheld. USC lined up to go for it on fourth down and called timeout.

Jordan ran for 11 yards. Maiava passed to Lane for eight yards. Maiava passe to Lemon for 11 yards. King ran for three yards. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass just beyond Lane’s reach. On third-and-seven at the Michigan 29, Maiava passed to Lake McRee for 21 yards, but the Wolverines forced a fumble and recovered the ball on their eight-yard line.

USC 7, No. 15 Michigan 0, 7:55 left in the first quarter

Michigan started on its 25.

Bryce Underwood tossed an incomplete pass. Underwood passed to Justice Haynes for two yards. On third-and-eight at the Michigan 27, Underwood tossed an incomplete pass intended for Haynes.

Michigan punted 49 yards to the USC 24 and Makai Lemon returned it five yards.

USC 7, No. 15 Michigan 0, 6:03 left in the first quarter

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Waymond Jordan ran for three yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Jordan for a six-yard gain. Jordan ran for two yards.

Maiava passed to Makai Lemon for 12 yards and then to Walker Lyons for 21 yards. Jordan ran for seven yards and King Miller ran for another seven yards to the Michigan 17.

Maiava passed to Eli Sanders for 11 yards to the Michigan 6. Jordan ran for four yards. Jordan then ran for no gain.

Maiava passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for a two-yard touchdown. Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 0, No. 15 Michigan 0, start of first quarter

Michigan won the coin toss and deferred. USC received the opening kickoff and we’re under way.

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where we’re back from the bye, recharged and ready for the gauntlet ahead on USC’s schedule. Here’s hoping you had a nice relaxing weekend away that didn’t involve yelling at the television about your team’s struggling secondary.

Following that lead, we’re going to step away from the football field for this week to talk about something that every college football program could use more of these days, but never seems to get enough of:

Money.

Along the West Bank of the Mississippi, directly across the way from downtown New Orleans, there’s a levee that rises up beside the riverbank. At the top, about 40 feet up a steep, grassy hill, the skyline of the French Quarter unfurls into clear view over the river.

To run up the levee and gaze upon that view of downtown was something of a rite of passage for kids in the neighborhood. But to the boys trained by Clyde Alexander, it was sacred ground. They called it Mecca, and every week, they came to the same stretch of levee next to an abandoned warehouse where Mardi Gras floats were once built.

VIDEO | 01:35

Jahkeem Stewart is making a big impact on USC’s football team

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Six years ago, before he was seen as a budding star at USC, Jahkeem Stewart stood at the base of that levee in Algiers on a muggy day, drenched in sweat. He was only 12 years old at the time, much younger than any of the other kids Alexander was training. He also happened to be 6-foot-4 and 360 pounds, bigger than any kid he’d ever seen at that age.

It didn’t require much imagination to see how scouts would one day declare him the rare defensive line prospect worthy of the word “generational.” Or how Stewart’s path, starting that day on the levee, would eventually lead him to USC, where his impact as a freshman was felt as soon as he joined the Trojans’ front.

But Alexander saw enough talent squandered in New Orleans to know that size and strength alone couldn’t ensure a ticket out. It’s why he was skeptical when a local travel coach contacted him, raving about a huge sixth grader he knew had the tools to be great. Video clips showed Stewart’s combination of size, strength and speed was unstoppable.

“The one thing you can’t teach on Planet Earth is size,” Alexander says. “What he has, that’s just God-given.”

After an inconsistent start to the season for USC’s secondary, the defensive coordinator stood in front of a cadre of cameras and didn’t mince words. There were too many coverage busts leading to too many big pass plays, he said. He planned to spend the bye week studying film with microscopic focus in hopes of understanding exactly what had gone wrong.

“The lowlights cannot be that low,” he said. “You can’t just say it happens sometimes. Those things can’t happen.”

That coordinator was Alex Grinch, speaking in September 2023. Six weeks later, he was fired.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The loose ball tumbled through the end zone, slipping through one set of fingertips, then another, blue-and-orange bodies clawing desperately aside cardinal-and-gold ones. So much had gone poorly for No. 21 USC all afternoon, from its struggling secondary to its stifled pass rush to its inconsistent quarterback, but at the most critical moment in its season thus far, here was a particularly fortunate twist of fate, as linebacker Eric Gentry punched out a fumble, and somehow, some way safety Christian Pierce landed on top of it.

The late-game gift, with six minutes remaining, had come after a particularly frustrating afternoon. The deck had seemed stacked against the Trojans from the start of Saturday’s 34-32 loss to No. 23 Illinois. Not only were they playing without two starting offensive linemen and their top red-zone target, they lost Kamari Ramsey, their defensive leader, to a bout of food poisoning just before the game.

It felt, at the time, like a big-time gut check for the new Big Ten team on the block.

USC left Ann Arbor, Mich., last season battered and bruised, its narrow September loss to Michigan having laid bare one of the program’s most pressing concerns upon joining the Big Ten. In a physical, old-fashioned Big Ten battle, Michigan simply looked bigger and stronger at the line of scrimmage, while the Trojans looked largely overwhelmed.

“That’s about as tough as it’s going to get,” coach Lincoln Riley said at the time.

But a year later, after an offseason focused on fortifying the Trojans’ fronts, Riley is feeling more confident ahead of Michigan’s return trip to the Coliseum on Saturday.