Ohio State: No. 2 Buckeyes fall 30-18 to unranked USC
Penalties and a late fumble cost the visitors a leadless loss in Los Angeles, snapping a perfect record following a bye week.
By Giulia Donovan ·
No. 2 Ohio State lost 30-18 to unranked USC in Los Angeles on Saturday, ending a streak of 11 straight wins following a bye week. The Buckeyes never led in the game and trailed by as much as 18 points, their largest deficit since a loss to Michigan in November 2022. It was Ohio State’s first defeat to an unranked opponent since a 13-10 home loss to Michigan on Nov. 30, 2024.
Head coach Ryan Day cited the team’s inability to play clean football as the primary reason for the result. Ohio State committed 11 penalties despite outgaining USC by 126 yards and possessing the ball for nearly 19 more minutes. Day said the team struggled to support freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, who made his first start after Julian Sayin suffered a shoulder injury against Indiana.
The game began with a defensive breakdown. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw a screen pass to wide receiver Trent Mosley, who ran 69 yards for a touchdown just 39 seconds into the contest. Safety Jaylen McClain attributed the score to a lack of effort by his defense. USC extended its lead to 14-3 after a 9-yard rushing touchdown by Waymond Jordan, which was set up by a 44-yard punt return by Mosley and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Ohio State.
Ohio State’s offense entered USC territory on eight possessions but did not reach the end zone until under three minutes remained in the fourth quarter. A potential 3-yard rushing touchdown for Fahey was overturned after officials ruled his knee was down. The play left Ohio State on the one-yard line, but a false start penalty forced the team to settle for a field goal by Connor Hawkins.
The Buckeyes’ defense allowed 20 points in the first half, the most since an Oct. 12, 2024, game against Oregon. In the second half, running back Isaiah West fumbled in USC territory. The turnover led to a 70-yard reception by tight end Mark Bowman, who then scored to give the Trojans an 18-point lead. Day identified that turnover and special teams mistakes as the defining moments of the loss.
Ohio State cut the deficit late in the fourth quarter. Kicker Connor Hawkins made a 47-yard field goal with 14:56 remaining to make the score 27-12. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith then broke the Big Ten touchdown reception record with a catch in the end zone with 2:12 left, bringing the Buckeyes within 27-18. USC added a final field goal to secure the 30-18 victory.
The loss ended a seven-game streak in which Ohio State scored a touchdown in the final 30 seconds of the first half. The team also failed on a two-point conversion, marking more than nine years since its last successful attempt, which occurred in a win over Indiana on Aug. 31, 2017. Tight end Mason Williams said the team now has two losses and must fight back in its remaining schedule.
Ohio State’s upcoming schedule includes home games against Oregon, Northwestern and Michigan, along with a road trip to Nebraska. Day said the team practiced well and maintained a good attitude, but acknowledged there were too many mistakes. The Buckeyes will fall in the national rankings, leaving questions about their playoff position.
