It was the beginning of new eras for both USC and LSU, but only one of them got off to an ideal start.
Miller Moss, who replaced No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, had ice in his veins and drove down the field to the end to help the 23rd-ranked Trojans earn a 27-20 victory over No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
With the game tied at 20 with 1:47 left and a timeout, USC needed just that. Miller Moss completed his first five passes on the drive and with 18 seconds left, Kyron Hudson made his second one-handed catch of the night to put the Trojans in field goal range.
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Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
After the catch, LSU's Jardin Gilbert was penalized for targeting, putting the Trojans at the LSU 13-yard line. Woody Marks then ran in for his second touchdown of the night, giving USC a 27-20 lead over LSU with eight seconds remaining. Garrett Nussmeier's first pass for a miracle drive was intercepted, all but ending the game.
The aforementioned Hudson made what could be the catch of the year early in the second quarter, and the Trojans found the end zone two plays later on a touchdown run by Marks.
Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
LSU PLAYER CALLED UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AFTER APPEARING TO PRETEND TO FIRING A GUN AFTER A CRUSH
However, LSU scored on a Kyren Lacy touchdown on the next drive. After the score, however, he appeared to fake firing a gun, resulting in a 15-yard penalty on the opening kickoff. USC took advantage, but ultimately had to settle for a field goal. LSU tied it up, and USC missed a field goal just before the half ended to go into the locker room tied at 10.
The two teams traded punts to start the second. USC found the middle of the uprights midway through the third quarter, but LSU responded with a seven-play, 73-yard drive that ended with Nussmeier's second touchdown, this time to Aaron Anderson.
Midway through the fourth quarter, USC found itself at the LSU 36-yard line and opted to go for it on 4th-and-9, but Miller Moss' pass was incomplete. But after forcing a three-and-out, the Trojans needed just three plays to take the lead, as Moss found Ja'Kobi Lane for a stunning over-the-shoulder touchdown catch to put USC up by three with 5:44 left. LSU, however, kicked a game-tying field goal on its next drive. But, clearly, it wasn't enough.
Moss completed 27 of his 36 passes for a career-high 378 yards, while Marks rushed for 68 yards on his 16 carries, two of which resulted in touchdowns.
Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
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Replacing reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier impressed by completing 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards through the air; Lacy led all receivers with seven receptions for 94 yards.
USC is expected to move up the rankings quite a bit and will be back home to host Utah State on Saturday. It will be interesting to see where LSU ends up, though, as it will host Nicholls next weekend.
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