USC dominates the fourth quarter, pulls away for rivalry win over UCLA

Their goals were long gone. Any delusions of grandeur were dashed, done in amid constant fourth-quarter collapses.

Nothing had gone as USC had hoped this season, from the backbreaking late run surrendered in Ann Arbor in September to the blocked field goal in College Park in October to the flu outbreak that swept through the Trojans’ locker room the past week. The setbacks certainly had a way of sapping a team’s spirit. But none of that mattered anymore, USC coach Lincoln Riley assured his team Friday night. All that was left now was the finish. Good programs, he told them, always finished strong.

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Nov. 21, 2024

USC 19, UCLA 13, end of the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

Ethan Garbers’ pass was short and fell incomplete. On second-and-10, Garbers rolled out of the pocket and tossed an incomplete pass. The two-minute warning was then triggered.

On third-and-10 on the UCLA 25, Garbers’ pass intended for Kwazi Gilmer was disrupted by Jacobe Covington and fell incomplete.

On fourth-and-10 with 1:54 left, UCLA called timeout.

Garbers drifted right out of the pocket, looked for a receiver, was drilled as he hit and tossed an incomplete pass.

USC took over on the UCLA 25 and took a knee multiple times to run out the clock after the Bruins burned all their timeouts.

USC 19, UCLA 13, 2:09 left in the fourth quarter

USC took over on UCLA’s 34-yard line after the Trojans’ fourth-down stop.

Woody Marks ran for four yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Zachariah Branch for five yards, but USC was called for an illegal block and moved back 10 yards. On second-and-16 at the UCLA 35. Woody Marks ran for six yards. On third-and-five, Maiava passed to Kyron Hudson for 11 yards.

On first down at the UCLA 18 with 2:27 left, Marks ran for two yards. UCLA called timeout with 2:20 left on the clock. Marks ran for three yards and UCLA called another timeout with 2:16 left on the clock. On third-and-five at the UCLA 16, Maiava’s pass to the Ja’kobi Lane in the end zone fell incomplete.

Michael Lantz hit a 30-yard field goal to extend USC’s lead to six points.

USC 16, UCLA 13, 4:59 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its 25 after the touchback.

T.J. Harden ran for three yards. Ethan Garbers passed to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for six yards. On third-and-one, Keegan Jones ran for about half a yard. On fourth-and-one, Garbers was stopped on the quarterback keeper for no gain.

USC took over on UCLA’s 34-yard line.

USC 16, UCLA 13, 7:04 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on the UCLA 49 after a punt.

Woody Marks ran for six yards. Jayden Maiava passed a lateral to Makai Lemon, who then passed to Kyron Hudson for 39 yards.

On first-and-goal at the UCLA 4, Maiava evaded a sack on the right sight of the field and ran across to the left side before passing to Ja’Kobi Lane for a four-yard touchdown pass. The play was reviewed and confirmed. Michael Lantz hit the extra point.

UCLA 13, USC 9, 8:19 left in the fourth quarter

UCLA started on its one-yard line.

Ethan Garbers leaned back in his end zone and passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for 25 yards.

Garbers passed to Kwazi Gilmer for two yards. Garbers passed to Sturdivant for three yards. On third-and-five, Garbers tried to step between defenders in the collapsing pocket and was sacked by Easton Mascarenas-Arnold for a loss of seven yards.

UCLA’s Brody Richter punted the ball 25 yards and it bounced out of bounds at the Bruins’ 49.

UCLA 13, USC 9, 11:13 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 40.

Woody Marks ran for a loss of one yard and was down on the field receiving treatment after the play. He was up and stretching on the sideline after a timeout. Jayden Maiava passed to Quinten Joyner for a 12-yard gain. USC was then called for unsportsmanlike conduct for a shove after the end of the play.

On first down at the UCLA 44, Maiava passed to Joyner again for eight yards. Maiava tossed a three-yard pass to Kyron Hudson for a first down at the UCLA 33.

Maiva’s pass was knocked down by Devin Aupui and fell incomplete. Marks ran for one yard. Maiava was sacked by Oluwafemi Oladejo for a loss of 13 yards.

USC’s Eddie Czaplicki punted the ball 44 yards and it was downed by the Trojans at the UCLA one-yard line.

UCLA 13, USC 9, end of the third quarter

Makai Lemon returned the UCLA kickoff 61 yards to the USC 45.

UCLA was called for a personal foul late hit out of bounds as Lemon was hit after play ended.

Time expired in the third quarter during the return.

UCLA 13, USC 9, four seconds left in the third quarter

UCLA started on its nine-yard line after the punt.

Ethan Garbers passed to Kwazi Gilmer for seven yards. T.J. Harden ran for seven yards.

Garbers was sacked for a loss of four yards. On second-and-14, Garbers ran for eight yards. Garbers evaded heavy pressure and he passed a screen pass to Harden, who bobbled the ball and gained 23 yards.

Garbers faked a handoff and passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for a 45-yard gain to the USC five-yard line.

UCLA was called for false start. Garbers was sacked for a loss of six yards. On second-and-16 at USC 16, Keegan Jones ran for one yard. On third-and-15, Garbers tossed a screen pass to Harden for a four-yard gain. The play was reviewed for potential targeting by Mason Cobb, but officials determined there was no penalty.

Mhateen Bhaghani hit a 29-yard field goal and extended UCLA’s lead.

UCLA 10, USC 9, 7:10 left in the third quarter

USC started on its 31 after Makai Lemon returned the kickoff 31 yards.

Woody Marks ran six yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Marks for seven yards and the first down.

Marks ran for seven yards. Maiava was hit as he was winding up for a deep pass and the ball was hit by Devin Aupui as he sacked Maiva. The fumble was recovered by USC’s Walker Lyons. On third-and-eight, Maiava tossed the ball toward Makai Lemon, but he was pressured by K.J. Wallace and the pass was incomplete. Lincoln Riley wanted a pass interference call, but the officials have allowed contact on pass plays all game.

USC’s Eddie Czaplicki punted the ball 45 yards to the UCLA 9.

UCLA 10, USC 9, 9:42 left in the third quarter

UCLA started its 45 after the fourth down stop.

T.J. Harden ran for two yards. Ethan Garbers passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for 29 yards amid heavy contact by Jacobe Covington.

Harden ran for no gain. Harden ran for three yards. Garbers ran through a collapsing pocket and scrambled for eight yards. The play was reviewed and stood for a first down at the USC 12.

Garbers passed to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for two yards. Garbers then passed to Matavao for a 10-yard touchdown and Mateen Bhaghani hit he extra point.

USC 9, UCLA 3, 14:00 left in the third quarter

USC started on its 48.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. Maiava then passed to Kyron Hudson for seven yards. On third-and-three, Maiava tossed deep and out of bounds as he targeted Kyle Ford. On fourth-and-three, USC called time out. Maiava passed to Ford, but he couldn’t pull in the ball and it fell incomplete.

UCLA takes over on its 45.

USC 9, UCLA 3, 14:54 left in the third quarter

UCLA kicked off from its five-yard line due to three unsportsmanlike penalties on Kwazi Gilmer, Bryan Adisson and an assistant coach after the final play of the second quarter.

Makai Lemon caught the ball at the 33 and ran it back 16 yards to the USC 48.

USC 9, UCLA 3, end of the second quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

Ethan Garbers rolled out of pressure and passed to J.Michael Sturdivant for 15 yards with 15 seconds left.

Garbers tossed an incomplete pass with nine seconds left.

T.J. Harden ran for 10 yards with four seconds left.

On first down at the 50-yard line, USC called timeout.

Garbers passed to Kwazi Gilmer for 29 yards and time expired. A late flag was tossed as players were shoving each other after the play ended.

As the teams ran off the field, officials moved to separate players as they shouted at each other.

UCLA was assessed three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after the teams went to the locker rooms.

USC 9, UCLA 3, 23 seconds left in the second quarter

USC started on its 16 after the punt.

Woody Marks ran for six yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Marks for three yards. On third-and-one, Maiava’s pass was tipped but Makai Lemon caught it for a five-yard gain.

Maiava completed a 14-yard pass to Duce Robinson.

Quinten Joyner ran for two yards. Maiava evaded pressure and ran to the left for eight yards.

Maiava passed to Zachariah Branch for seven yards. Marks ran for four yards for a first down at the UCLA 34.

The two-minute timeout was triggered.

Marks ran for four yards. Maiava passed to Lake McRee for 26 yards.

On first-and-goal at the UCLA 4, Marks ran for a one-yard loss. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-goal at the UCLA 5, Maiava’s pass to Kyle Ford was incomplete and the Trojans didn’t get the pass interference call they wanted.

Michael Lantz hit a 22-yard field goal.

For the third time in the first half, USC reached the red zone and only finished with three field goals.

USC 6, UCLA 3, 6:31 left in the second quarter

Keegan Jones returned the kickoff 30 yards to the Bruins’ 30.

T.J. Harden carried the ball, but UCLA was called for illegal formation. On first-and-15, Harden ran for one yard. Ethan Garbers passed to Moliki Matavao for five yards. On third-and-four, USC’s Mason Cobb appeared to force an interception, but officials ruled it was an incomplete pass after review.

UCLA punted to the USC 16.

USC 6, UCLA 3, 9:25 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 43 after the fourth down stop.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. On second-and-10, the Trojans called timeout to avoid a penalty. Woody Marks ran for one yard. On third-and-nine, Maiava passed to Kyron Hudson for six yards. On fourth-and-three, USC called timeout. Maiava rolled out of the pocket and tossed the ball into traffic to Hudson for 13 yards and a first down.

Maiava passed to Marks for a loss of one yard. Maiava passed to Lake McRee in a tight windown for a gain of 10 yards.

Quinten Joyner ran for three yards. Joyner then ran for 21 yards.

On first-and-goal at the UCLA 4, Joyner carried the ball and was dropped for a two-yard loss. Maiava’s next pass sailed past the back left corner of the end zone. On third-and-goal at the UCLA 6, Maiava’s pass to the end zone was broken up by Devin Kirkwood and fell incomplete.

Lantz hit a 23-yard field goal.

UCLA 3, USC 3, 14:16 left in the second quarter

UCLA faced third-and-four at the USC 44 to open the second quarter. Garbers ran for two yards while evading pressure, stepping out of bounds two yards short of the first down. On fourth-and-two, UCLA called timeout. Garbers tossed an incomplete pass and the Bruins turned the ball over at the USC 43.

UCLA 3, USC 3, end of the first quarter

UCLA started on its 25.

Ethan Garbers passed to Logan Loya for nine yards. T.J. Harden ran for no gain. Harden then ran for three yards and a first down.

Keegan Jones ran for three yards. Garbers passed to Titus Mokiao-Atimalala for 10 yards.

Garbers ran for six yards. Garbers option passed to Harden for no gain, with Easton Mascarenas-Arnold delivering the stop for USC.

Time then ran out in the first quarter.

UCLA 3, USC 3, 4:15 left in the first quarter

USC started on its 5 after the punt.

Woody Marks ran for seven yards. Jayden Maiava was well protected but had no open receivers and tossed an incomplete pass. Marks ran for five yards.

Maiava hit Makai Lemon streaking across the middle of the field and gained 64 yards.

On first down at the UCLA 19, Marks ran for 16 yards.

On first-and-goal at the UCLA 3, Maiaiva ran for one yard. Maiava then passed to Lake McRee, but he couldn’t come down with it while running into the ref. Maiava’s next throw was bobbled and dropped by Walker Lyons.

Michael Lantz hit a 19-yard field goal.

UCLA 3, USC 0, 7:23 left in the first quarter

UCLA started on its seven-yard line after USC’s punt.

T.J. Harden ran up the middle for 40 yards to the UCLA 47.

Harden ran for two yards. UCLA was called for false start. On second-and-12 at the USC 46, Keegan Jones ran for two yards. On third-and-10, Garbers rolled to his right under pressure and eventually tossed the ball out of bounds.

UCLA punted to the USC 10-yard line. The Bruins were called for illegal formation. USC accepted the five-yard penalty, and the Bruins punted again. The ball bounced UCLA downed it at the Trojans’ 5.

UCLA 3, USC 0, 10:00 left in the first quarter

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Maiava passed to Woody Marks for 16 yards.

Woody Marks ran for no gain. Maiava passed deep and it fell incomplete. On third-and-10, Maiava’s pass was batted down by Jay Toia and fell incomplete.

Eddie Czaplicki punted and UCLA took a fair catch at its seven-yard line.

UCLA 3, USC 0, 11:32 left in the first quarter

UCLA started on is 25-yard line.

T.J. Harden ran for eight yards. Ethan Garbers passed to Titus Atimalala-Mokiao for 13 yards.

Garbers passed to Atimalala-Mokiao for another 17 yards.

Harden ran for three yard and Garbers passed to Atimalala-Mokiao for one yard. Garbers then tried to throw the ball away while avoiding a sack. Officials called it a fumble on the field recovered by USC and returned for a short gain. The play was reviewed and it was deemed an incomplete pass.

On fourth-and-seven at the USC 34, Mateen Bhaghani hit a 51-yard field goal.

UCLA 0, USC 0, start of the first quarter

USC won the coin toss and deferred.

UCLA received the opening kickoff and took a touchback

The competition was close. Closer than anyone expected it to be in late August, at least. Close enough that Jayden Maiava, the insurgent transfer from Nevada Las Vegas, believed at the time that he’d done enough to be named USC’s starting quarterback.

The job ultimately went to Miller Moss, the redshirt junior whose six-score coronation had come months earlier at the Holiday Bowl. Maiava had understood in that case the uphill battle he faced in coming to L.A. But the decision, while no surprise to the public, was no less disappointing to Maiava.

DeShaun Foster acknowledged that both of the game balls he’s been given this season to commemorate coaching firsts could have gone to someone equally worthy.

His kicker.

That’s how valuable Mateen Bhaghani has been in his first season at UCLA.

There was something driving him besides the need to see if he could get out of bed.

DeShaun Foster had spent the previous afternoon at UCLA Medical Center, his viral symptoms forcing the star freshman into isolation at the team hotel in Pasadena the night before the 1998 crosstown rivalry football game.

Some chicken soup and about five hours of sleep did wonders for his sore throat. Maybe the best high school running back to come out of Orange County woke up ready to devour the college that had wanted him only if he would play defensive back.

It is a wild arm, a wondrous arm, a winning arm.

But is it powerful enough to restore a reputation?

It is a stalwart presence, a swaggering presence, a saving presence.

But is it powerful enough to rescue a coach?

Bulletin boards inside USC’s McKay Center might come crashing to the floor with the weight of what the coach across town said this week.

Talking about the influence of the crosstown rivalry in homes across Southern California, DeShaun Foster could not help but take a jab at the school he wouldn’t call by name.

“A lot of families,” the UCLA coach said Monday evening, “the smarter one usually comes over here and the other one goes to the other school and then the family’s torn, you know what I mean?”

His voice was hoarse, his exhaustion evident. The flu had been wreaking havoc on USC’s locker room since late last week. By Tuesday, four days ahead of the Trojans’ crosstown matchup with UCLA, it finally had caught up with Lincoln Riley, whose third rivalry week at USC now promises to be an especially viral one.

The coach even seemed to cough on cue when asked about the flu.

“It’s had a little bit of an impact,” Riley said. “It’s part of it, though. Like I told the guys today, Saturday at 7:30, nobody’s going to care what you had or didn’t have. You got to be ready to go play the game. You’ve got different obstacles that come up, and you’ve got to go face them. We’ll deal with it, adjust how we need to, but no excuses — gotta be ready for Saturday.”

His arrival last December, in the midst of the darkest defensive stretch in school history, was hailed as a potential program-saving moment at USC. At UCLA, where he revived a struggling defense in a single season, his departure was viewed as a disastrous setback, only made worse by the destination.

But almost a full year after defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn traded one side of the crosstown rivalry for the other, reality seems to have settled somewhere in the middle. USC, at 5-5, didn’t suddenly field one of college football’s best defenses with Lynn at the helm. Nor have the Bruins, at 4-6, bottomed out without him, as first-year coordinator Ikaika Malloe has kept UCLA’s defense afloat just fine.

USC (5-5) looks to become bowl eligible and thwart UCLA’s hopes of playing in a bowl with a win over the rival Bruins (4-6) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. PST and will be shown on NBC and Peacock. The radio broadcast will be available on 710 AM and 570 AM in the Los Angeles area.

Here’s a look at the betting odds for the game: