In a thrilling season opener at the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic, the No. 23 USC Trojans stunned No. 13 LSU Tigers with a dramatic 27-20 victory, capped by a last-second 13-yard touchdown run by Woody Marks. The game, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, delivered everything a college football fan could hope for—acrobatic catches, crucial defensive stops, and a nail-biting finish.
The game was defined by two incredible first-half catches that set the tone for a back-and-forth battle. USC’s Kyron Hudson made an unbelievable leaping catch, extending his right hand high and backward to haul in a 24-yard pass that set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Marks. The catch, which stood after video review, put USC ahead 7-0 early in the second quarter. LSU responded with a highlight-reel grab of its own, as Kyren Lacy twisted mid-air to snag a 19-yard touchdown, just managing to keep his right foot inbounds to tie the game midway through the period.
Missed opportunities haunted both teams in the first half. LSU drove to USC’s 3-yard line but was stopped on downs, while Trojans kicker Michael Lantz missed a 29-yard field goal as the first half expired. USC could have had an additional 30-40 seconds on their final possession of the half, but head coach Lincoln Riley opted not to call a timeout before LSU tied the game with a 45-yard field goal by Damian Ramos with just over a minute remaining.
The second half was a continuation of the seesaw battle. USC regained the lead with 5:44 left in regulation when Miller Moss found Ja’Kobi Lane for a 28-yard touchdown, putting the Trojans up 20-17. LSU answered with a 31-yard field goal from Ramos, but it left 1:47 on the clock—enough time for Moss to orchestrate a game-winning drive.
Moss, who passed for 378 yards and a touchdown, led the Trojans on an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in Marks’ game-winning touchdown run with just eight seconds remaining. Moss was efficient throughout, completing 27 of 36 passes, and his 20-yard completion to Hudson, along with a crucial targeting penalty on LSU, set up the winning score.
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier was also impressive, completing 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on the final drive. However, it was USC’s defense that made the critical play when it mattered most, sealing the victory.
This win sends a strong message in USC’s first season as a Big Ten Conference member, signaling that the Trojans could be a force to reckon with after a disappointing 8-5 campaign last year. For LSU, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, especially after such a hard-fought contest, but they’ll have plenty of opportunities to bounce back as the season progresses.
The thrilling showdown between USC and LSU was a perfect kickoff to the college football season, leaving fans eager for more as both teams look ahead to what promises to be an exciting year.
