USC defeats No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 in college football upset
The Trojans secured a 30-18 victory over the Buckeyes on Saturday, a result that keeps their College Football Playoff hopes alive despite a 7-2 record.
By Grace Anderson ·
USC defeated the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 30-18 on Saturday night at the Coliseum. The victory ended a one-game losing streak for the Trojans and improved their overall record to 7-2. The win also moved their Big Ten conference record to 4-2. The result kept USC alive in the race for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Lincoln Riley responded to the win with a lengthy press conference. He began the session with a calm demeanor before becoming more animated when asked about the team's playoff chances. Riley said, "Yeah, hell yeah it does." He added that teams that stay together and keep improving are the ones that succeed in the end.
Riley pulled out a sheet of prepared notes after a publicist attempted to move the meeting along. He stated that he wanted to articulate his thoughts clearly. The coach told reporters that the program is built on internal joy rather than external applause. He said the victory belonged to the staff, players, leaders, and administrators inside the building.
"I said before this game that I’m the right person for this job and as long as all those people know that, that’s all I care about," Riley said. He concluded his remarks by saying he would continue to fight on because that is what being a Trojan is about.
The game started quickly in favor of USC. On the second play from scrimmage, Trent Mosley caught a short pass and ran 69 yards for a touchdown. Riley noted that the early score gave the team immediate momentum and energized the crowd. The Trojans maintained control throughout the contest, while the Buckeyes struggled to convert scoring opportunities into touchdowns.
USC's defense forced multiple field goals from Ohio State. Defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren credited the team's toughness for holding the lead. He described the defensive stand as a mindset issue and a display of grit. The defense prevented Ohio State from scoring on a goal line stand, limiting the Buckeyes to a kick.
The Trojans now face road games against Indiana and UCLA. A loss to either team would eliminate USC from College Football Playoff contention. The team must win both matchups to maintain its position in the rankings.
Ohio State played with a backup quarterback who completed fewer than half of his passes. The Buckeyes also faced game planning decisions from coach Ryan Day. The loss occurred in front of a crowd that flooded the field after the final whistle. The win provides USC with a temporary reprieve from the criticism following their previous loss to Wisconsin.
