Trojans outlast Tigers
Moss finished the night by connecting on 27-for-36 (.750) passes for 378 yards, a career-best, while throwing 1 TD. He is the first Trojan starting quarterback to debut with back-to-back wins over ranked teams since records available in 1971.
Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
After all the preseason buzz about the QB’s opening the 2024 season. Nussimeier of LSU replaced Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and while USC’s Miller Moss replaced Caleb Williams also a Heisman winner the two got to see what they had in a classic season opener in front of a sell-out crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In the end the Trojans prevailed 27-20,
After a 28-yard touchdown pass from USC quarterback Miller Moss to to Ja’Kobi Lane with 5:44 to play gave the Trojans a 20-17 lead. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier then drove LSU down into the red zone, but the Tigers’ drive stalled at the 14, leading to Damian Ramos field goal from 31 yards out with 1:47 left.
On the ensuing drive Moss led the team on an eight –play 75-yard drive that included a pinpoint pass down the left sideline for Kron Hudson inside the LSU 30 with 13 seconds to go. Tiger safety Jardin Gilbert was hit with a targeting penalty that put the TROJANS comfortably within field goal range. Marks then bolted up the gut for a 13 yard game-winning score on the next play.
“I told someone it wouldn’t’ surprise me if he gutted this one,”said TROJAN head coach Lincoln Riley.
Moss finished the night by connecting on 27-for-36 (.750) passes for 378 yards, a career-best, while throwing 1 TD. He is the first Trojan starting quarterback to debut with back-to-back wins over ranked teams since records available in 1971.
The targeting penalty was heavy on Tiger head coach Brian Kelley
“And we’re sitting here again, we’re sitting here again talking about the same things,” Kelly said. “About not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put them away. But what we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game is over. And I’m so angry about it that I gotta do something about it. I’m not doing a good enough job as a coach and I got to coach them better because it’s unacceptable for us not to have found a way to win this football game. It’s ridiculous.”
USC is now 1-0 on the season and improves to 2-1 over LSU all-time. the team now has 8 straight season opening wins, and Lincoln Riley remains undefeated in USC season openers.
Moss, with a plethora of aerial options, spread the ball around to 10 different receivers, with 6 of them recording at least 45 yards or more.
Marks a transfer from Mississippi State finished the night with 81 rushing on 16 carries.
