#4 USC Pulls Off 27-24 Comeback Victory Over Texas In 2OT

Darnold hit Deontay Burnett on USC’s first play of the opening overtime, the winning field goal then made possible when the Trojans defense forced a Texas fumble in the second OT.

Michael and Alicia offer their reactions to USC’s 27-24 victory against the Longhorns, while making sense of a game that was so frustrating and sub-standard for the Trojans’ offense, yet so magical at the end.

USC over Texas, in double overtime, was 16 tons of gears and levers grinding against each other on a cool summer, Saturday evening.

There have been close games played in the national championship before and since the Texas Longhorns met the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl on January 4, 2006.

“That’s what great teams do”, USC coach Clay Helton said. He had not carried more than four times in a game before last week. A mob of USC’s teammates flowed from the sidelined and mobbed him in celebration. They just gave it all they got, and I gave it all I had.

The USC Trojans have been a little shaky to start the season, but the offensive production is showing signs of returning to what it was late last season and there’s still room to improve with Darnold cutting back on his turnovers. A pass to the end zone fell just incomplete, setting up McGrath – who had missed his only kick earlier – for a 31-yard field goal to tie and force overtime.

It was a sudden twist.

Even with Vince Young and Matt Leinart in attendance, both current offenses showed no signs of replicating that beauty in the rematch — until everything went insane in the final minutes. After Sam Ehlinger led a monumental 14-play drive 91 yards for a go-ahead touchdown, Texas kicked the ball back to USC with just 45 seconds to play.

Herman stuck with Sam Ehlinger even though Shane Buechele (shoulder) was available, albeit not 100 percent.

The loss of standout left tackle Connor Williams complicated things for the Longhorns.

Colorado 41, Northern Colorado 21: Steven Montez threw for a career-high 357 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Buffaloes beat the Bears 41-21 in the first meeting between the schools since 1934. Cornerback Ajene Harris then scooped it up, putting the Trojans in striking distance.

USC failed to get into the endzone, but a 43-yard field goal was all the Trojans needed to escape the Longhorns, who now sit at 1-2 on the season.

Playing for the first time since Texas upset the Trojans for the 2005 national title at the Rose Bowl. Also, Burnett leaped forward for breathtaking catches.

Herman said that the ground game’s struggles is a combination of the line’s blocking, the running backs and the play calling. On three occasions, coordinator Todd Orlando’s’ defense stopped USC on fourth down, including once from the 1.

Yet again, that was enough time for Darnold and USC, as he completed three passes of at least 13 yards, including a jump pass. He finished with nine last season.

The teams were scoreless for the first 27 minutes until a rush of touchdowns prior to halftime. USC tried to drive to put the game away, but penalties and a sack pushed it back, and it punted to the Longhorns with 5:14 left.

Jones cut across the field, running the final 22 yards into the end zone, assisted by a block from Mitchell.

In a fitting indicator of the half’s flow, the lone Texas score came via defense, with Elliott scoring his interception-for-touchdown on a carom off the hands of USC wide receiver Jalen Greene.

It bounced off his hands, up into the air and into the hands of DeShon Elliott.

OR 49, Wyoming 13: Royce Freeman ran for three touchdowns in the first half and OR roughed up Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen as the Ducks (3-0) defeated the Cowboys in Laramie, Wyoming. Saturday was USC QB Sam Darnold’s second multiple-interception game of the season, matching his total from 2016. Also, freshman Stephen Carr contributed 119 yards rushing.