USC Escapes Rutgers Scare: Clumsy Win Despite Efforts

USC, ranked No. 12, secured a narrow 42-35 road victory against Rutgers, a win that felt precarious throughout the game. Despite extensive preparations and even chartering a plane for comfort, the Trojans struggled significantly on both offense and defense. The USC defense, under new coordinator Gary Patterson, was unable to contain the Rutgers offense, which amassed 460 yards. Penalties were also a major issue for USC in the first half, contributing to Rutgers' ability to stay competitive.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava, though completing 20 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns, missed open receivers and was not as sharp as in previous games. USC's offense stalled at times, compounded by a decision to forgo a field goal attempt late in the game, which failed. A critical 99-yard interception return for a touchdown by Prophet Brown provided a crucial cushion, but Rutgers responded aggressively, keeping the game close until the final minutes. Even the game's final moments saw a fumbled snap recovered by USC.

Rutgers, despite an 0-3 record entering the game, showed resilience and made several key plays. An 11-yard touchdown reception by KJ Duff and a successful fake punt leading to a long gain demonstrated Rutgers' ability to move the ball effectively against USC. The Scarlet Knights were on the doorstep of taking the lead in the third quarter before Brown's interception. The back-and-forth nature of the game highlighted USC's inconsistencies, leaving coach Lincoln Riley acknowledging the need for better performance despite the crucial road win.