By Rich Whittington
(Pasadena) – The USC Trojans hung around and came back to beat the host UCLA Bruins 19-13 in the 94th meeting of this annual cross-town rivalry Saturday night at the Rose Bowl before 59,473 fans.
UCLA wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as the Bruins took the opening drive 58 yards before settling for a 51-yard Mateen Bhaghani field goal. This made the score 3-0 with 11:10 remaining in the opening quarter.
USC tied the game a few minutes later, when Michael Lantz converted a 19-yard field goal of his own with 4:12 remaining in the opening quarter.
The second period saw USC take the lead, as Lantz kicked his second field goal of the evening, this one from 23 yards out, making the score 6-3 with 9:25 remaining in the first half. USC increased its lead, as Lantz booted his third Field Goal of the evening…another 22-yard offering, making the score 9-3 at halftime. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the half ended with UCLA being charged with three Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties. The officials ruled that all three of these would be assessed, meaning that UCLA would begin the second half by kicking off from their own 5-yard line.
USC was unable to capitalize on the field position that they received. The Trojans turned the ball over on downs on the UCLA 46-yard line, giving the Bruins the ball with 13:58 remaining in the third quarter.
UCLA took the lead on the next possession, when Ethan Garbers connected with Moliki Matavao for a 10-yard score. Bhaghani, added the extra point making the score 10-9 with 9:36 remaining in the period. The Bruins increased their lead as Bhaghani kicked his third field goal of the evening, this one from 29-yards. This made the score 13-9, Bruins, as the third quarter ended.
The UCLA defense came up big in the fourth quarter, as Oluwafemi Oladejo sacked USC quarterback Jayden Maiava for a 12-yard loss during the quarters opening drive. This forced a punt, giving the ball back to the Bruins with 11:08 remaining in the contest.
The teams traded possessions, before USC took the lead on a 4-yard TD pass from Maiava to Ja’Kobi Lane who made a remarkable grab inbounds in the corner of the endzone before tumbling out. Lantz kicked the extra point making the score 16-13 with 6:55 remaining in regulation. USC extended its lead, as Lantz added another field goal making the score 19-13, with 2:09 remaining on the scoreboard clock.
UCLA had one final attempt. However, Garbers’ last four passes fell incomplete. This gave the ball back to the Trojans, who were able to run out the clock.
With the win, USC improves to 6-5 and are now eligible for post-season play. The Trojans will host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The Bruins fall to 4-7, and will finish their season next Saturday, as they host the Fresno State Bulldogs. Kickoff for this contest is also scheduled for 12:30.
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