MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Los Angeles) – King Miller ran for 158 yards and a touchdown and USC never trailed in a 31-13 win over Michigan Saturday before a sold-out crowd of 75,500 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Miller, a freshman who was seeing more action due to an injury to Waymond Jordan, busted off runs of 49 and 48 yards in the third quarter and also had a 15-yard touchdown run to put the Trojans up by two scores.

USC led 21-7 entering the fourth quarter and were never threatened from there.

The Trojans jumped in front right away as they took the ball and drove 75 yards on 11 plays on the first possession. Jayden Maiava hit Ja’Kobi Lane on a two-yard touchdown pass for a quick 7-0 lead.

After a Michigan punt the Trojans were in business again marching down to the Wolverines eight-yard line where Lake McRee was hit and fumbled after catching a Maiava pass. The Wolverines fell on it and took over on the eight. Michigan was unable to take advantage of the turnover and was forced to punt early in the second quarter.

Later In the quarter Michigan marched 86 yards on 14 plays. Bryce Underwood hit Donaven McCulley on an eight-yard touchdown pass with 3:09 left in the second quarter to tie it at seven.

The Trojans answered quickly with a nine-play, 75-yard drive. Makai Lemon hauled in a 12-yard pass in the endzone leaping between two Wolverine defenders to bring it down to give USC a 14-7 lead with 14 seconds left in the first half. The Trojans took that lead into the break.

After Michigan punted on their first possession of the second half the Trojans needed just five plays to go 52 yards. Miller broke off the 49-yard run down to the Michigan 19-yard line. That set up his 15-yard touchdown run as he hit the corner on the left side and sprinted to paydirt. The Trojans were up 21-7 with 10:45 left in the third.

Later in the quarter Miller got loose again for a 48-yard run down to the Michigan 24. But on third down Maiava was intercepted by Zeke Berry at the four-yard line to stop the Trojans threat.

Michigan then began a drive of its own moving down deep into USC territory. But Bishop Fitzgerald returned the favor by stepping in front of an Underwood pass at the five-yard line and returning it out to the USC 22. The Trojans took a 21-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

Ryon Sayeri booted a 54-yard field goal for the Trojans to make it 24-7 with 10:01 left in the fourth quarter.

Michigan had one last murmur of protest as Underwood hit Andrew Marsh, who broke a tackle and was off to the races for a 69-yard touchdown. The Wolverines went for two but an Underwood pass fell incomplete and with 9:17 left it was 24-13.

USC was able to burn up some clock and score in the process when Bryan Jackson ran through the Michigan secondary for a 29-yard score.

Fitzgerald put a lid on the victory for the Trojans late in the game with another interception of the backup quarterback Jadyn Davis

For Michigan Underwood completed 15 of 24 for 207 yards and two touchdowns and also threw an interception. Marsh had eight receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown.

For USC Maiava was 25 of 32 for 265 yards and two scores and an interception. Lemon was his favorite target with nine catches for 93 yards and the acrobatic touchdown catch. But on this night it was all about the King – King Miller who also caught two passes for 14 yards to go along with his big day rushing.

The Trojans bounced back from last week’s loss to Illinois with the win and improved to 5-1 and 3-1 in the Big Ten. Michigan fell to 4-2 and 2-1.

MI 0 7 0 6 13

SC 7 7 7 10 31