Imagine this: a packed Coliseum under the Saturday night lights, the roar of the crowd deafening, and a walk-on freshman leading the USC Trojans to a stunning victory over a Top 15 Michigan team. Sounds like a movie, right? But it actually happened on October 11, 2025, as USC delivered a decisive 31-13 defeat to the Wolverines.
King Miller, a name few knew before, exploded onto the scene with a phenomenal 158 rushing yards and a touchdown. He wasn't alone in his stellar performance. Quarterback Jayden Maiava contributed 265 passing yards and two touchdowns, orchestrating an offense that simply overwhelmed Michigan.
And then there was Makai Lemon. Just before halftime, Lemon made a catch that will be replayed for years – a spectacular 12-yard touchdown grab while taking a hit. You can see the replay here: (https://x.com/uscfb/status/1977178912871661764). This play not only extended USC's lead but also injected a massive dose of energy into the team and the fans. This victory was especially sweet for the Trojans (now 5-1, 3-1 in the Big Ten), who were eager to bounce back from a heartbreaking, last-second loss to Illinois (https://apnews.com/article/southern-california-illinois-68f78b0a056c71413bb632ee3bf10624) just two weeks prior.
But here's where it gets controversial… USC achieved this dominant win without two of their starting offensive linemen. How did they manage it? By embracing a hard-nosed, old-school Big Ten style of football. They racked up a whopping 224 rushing yards against a Michigan defense that was ranked seventh in the nation against the run. This is even more impressive when you consider that it was achieved by running backs who were further down the depth chart due to injuries to the starters. The defense also stepped up significantly, led by Bishop Fitzgerald, who intercepted two passes, stifling Michigan's offensive momentum.
“We really were looking forward to this game, (and) I thought we attacked it, dominated the football game on all sides,” said a clearly pleased USC coach Lincoln Riley. “A gritty, tough performance. You could just feel it with the group.” Riley's words highlight the collective effort and determination that defined USC's performance that night.
On the other side of the field, Michigan's quarterback Bryce Underwood completed passes for 207 yards with two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to overcome USC's dominance. The Wolverines (4-2, 2-1) saw their three-game winning streak come to an abrupt end. What's truly surprising is that Michigan hadn't allowed more than 7 yards per play in a game since their College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Georgia way back in December 2021. USC clearly disrupted their rhythm and exposed some vulnerabilities.
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore acknowledged the defeat, stating, “Credit to them, credit to Lincoln and that staff and what they did, but there’s things that we've got to look at, we've got to fix, and we've got to make sure we attack. It was good to see the fight as the team went. There’s never any quit with the team, but there’s things that you have to fix in these big-time games against really good opponents to win.”
Michigan struggled to find the end zone early, scoring only once on their first six drives into the fourth quarter. Their defense did manage two red-zone takeaways, preventing the game from becoming a complete blowout. Andrew Marsh's 69-yard touchdown catch late in the game (9:17 left) narrowed USC's lead to 24-13, but it proved to be too little, too late.
With just 4:21 remaining, backup tailback Bryan Jackson, who was initially ruled 'Out' before the game due to a turf toe injury, sealed the victory for USC with a powerful 29-yard touchdown run. And this is the part most people miss… Coach Riley revealed that USC had to receive in-game approval from the Big Ten to allow Jackson to play due to the team's extensive injuries at the running back position. Some might argue this was a questionable decision, potentially bending the rules to gain an advantage. What do you think?
This win marked USC's first triumph over Michigan since the Rose Bowl in January 2007. Interestingly, these two college football giants have now both won at home against each other (https://apnews.com/article/usc-michigan-score-2e3d6e4d62522309f4096beeea103424) in their first two seasons as Big Ten rivals, making this budding rivalry even more compelling.
Unfortunately, both teams suffered significant injuries during the game. USC’s star running back, Waymond Jordan, and Michigan’s Justice Haynes were both sidelined in the first half and did not return for the second half. These injuries opened the door for players like King Miller to step up and shine.
Miller certainly seized his opportunity. With the top three tailbacks on the Trojans' depth chart out with injuries, he exploded for a 49-yard run and a 47-yard run in the second half, extending crucial drives. His 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter made him the first walk-on to score a touchdown for USC since 1994 – a truly remarkable achievement.
“It was all honestly just a dream come true,” Miller said, reflecting on his incredible performance. “The whole (running back) group is amazing, so no matter who you put in there, we always believe we can go out there and shock the world.”
For Michigan, this game marked their first trip to the Los Angeles area since their memorable Rose Bowl victory over Alabama (https://apnews.com/article/rose-bowl-alabama-michigan-87fd50e622db3a512e87c693a4bc6263) 22 months prior, which ultimately led to their national championship under Jim Harbaugh, who subsequently joined the Los Angeles Chargers. The Coliseum was packed for USC’s only home game in a six-week stretch, with thousands of Wolverines fans adding to the electric atmosphere.
USC started strong, with Ja'Kobi Lane making a short touchdown catch to cap off a smooth opening drive. However, Michigan responded with Jyaire Hill forcing a fumble inside the USC 10-yard line, momentarily shifting the momentum.
Michigan finally managed to score with 3:09 left in the first half, as Underwood connected with Donaven McCulley on a well-executed pass. But USC quickly retaliated, with Lemon's highlight-reel catch putting them back in control.
In the third quarter, Underwood threw a costly red-zone interception to Fitzgerald, further hindering Michigan's comeback efforts.
“We didn’t give our defense time to be off the field all night, and I put that on myself,” said Michigan running back Jordan Marshall, taking responsibility for the team's struggles. "I’m going to help lead this team to make sure that we can be better in all phases of the game.”
Takeaways:
Michigan struggled to match USC's physicality, and injuries and inexperience certainly played a role in their defeat. However, this game will undoubtedly serve as a valuable learning experience for a team striving to regain its championship form from two seasons ago.
For USC, this impressive win – their most significant since Riley's debut season in 2022 – significantly boosts their chances of returning to the AP Top 25. The program is building serious momentum, but their next challenge is a tough road game against Notre Dame.
Up Next:
Michigan: Hosts Washington next Saturday.
USC: At Notre Dame next Saturday.
What are your thoughts on USC's dominant performance? Did Michigan underestimate the Trojans, or was this simply a case of USC being the better team on that particular night? Do you agree with the Big Ten's decision to allow Bryan Jackson to play despite his injury? Share your opinions in the comments below! For more college football coverage, visit https://apnews.com/college-football.
