USC 27 vs Oregon 41

Wax on, wax off. The signs were there. The defense looked different against the early preseason games. But as the competition showed up, they slid back to where we have seen it all too often: in their development and progress in stopping opponents. Clock management was a serious concern, as was the lack of urgency when the game was tied. The defense at 27-27 did exactly what they were supposed to do, but mental errors and a serious roughing penalty gave the Ducks all they needed to drive to a TD and begin the inevitable end to last night's fight.

Oregon 41, USC 27. USC came back from 10 down to tie the game at 27 on Tanook Hines’ fourth-quarter touchdown catch. Oregon answered with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Raiola, stopped USC on downs, then scored again to seal it. Raiola threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns after replacing the injured Dante Moore. USC Athletics

Jayden Maiava threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns; Kayden Dixon-Wyatt led USC with 7 catches for 114 yards and a score, and King Miller rushed for 74 yards. Oregon outgained USC 504–446, while the Trojans converted just 2 of 11 third downs. USC Athletics

USC falls to 4–1 overall, 1–1 in the Big Ten. The comeback showed resilience, but the defense must respond after allowing 28 points in the second half. Next: USC hosts Washington on Saturday, October 3.