Michigan 27-24 USC (September 21, 2024) Match Report

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Kalel Mullings sprinted 2 yards for a touchdown run with 37 seconds left on fourth down to lift No. 18 Michigan to a 27-24 victory over No. 11 Southern California on Saturday and welcome the Trojans to the Big Ten with a healthy dose of smashmouth football.

The Wolverines (3-1, 1-0) battled back after blowing a 14-0 first-half lead and allowing two second-half fumbles to win with a 10-play, 89-yard touchdown drive in which Mullings did most of the work. He capped it off with his second touchdown of the game, this time running behind a fullback in a jumbo package so there was little doubt where the ball was going.

“There are not five guys, there are seven tight ends out there,” Mullings said.

The Trojans (2-1, 0-1) took a 24-20 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Miller Moss threw his third touchdown pass, a 24-yard pass to Ja'Kobi Lane.

USC's last chance ended with a throw on the fourth attempt that landed just short of the line and led near the center line.

Mullings rushed for a career-high 159 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown run that gave the Wolverines an early lead, and Donovan Edwards scored on a 41-yard run that gave them a two-touchdown lead.

“It's just a representation of who we are,” Mullings said. “Kudos to the offensive line.”

Moss completed 28 of 51 passes for 283 yards, scored three touchdowns (a season best) and had one costly interception.

USC's Woody Marks ran for 100 yards on 13 attempts and ripped the football out of defensive tackle Kenneth Grant's hands after he recovered a fumble for Michigan.

Moss recovered from a pick-6 toss to Will Johnson that gave the defending national champions a double-digit lead in the third quarter with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jay Fair later in the quarter and his third touchdown pass to Lane with 7:01 left in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by four points in the final minute, Michigan needed a touchdown to win because USC defensive tackle Gavin Meyer blocked the extra point after Johnson's interception return for a touchdown.

The decisive point was also necessary because Edwards had a fumble that allowed the Trojans to score a touchdown, Grant's fumble helped the Big Ten newcomers score – and Michigan posed no threat with its passes.

“Teams will occupy the box and stop the run, and we still have to run with the ball,” Mullings said. “It's a great feeling to be able to do that and dominate.”

Alex Orji started as quarterback for the first time and completed 7 of 12 passes for 32 yards and ran 13 times for 43 yards.

“If we had thrown a million yards today and lost, I would be sitting here crying,” Orji said.

The conclusion

USC's new defense, under new coordinator D'Anton Lynn, held up well in the second half against an opponent that couldn't pass, and then collapsed on Mulling's long, game-winning run and failed to complete the goal-line stand.

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore earned his first win as Jim Harbaugh's successor by making enough moves in this potentially decisive game of his first season that paid off.

DISSOLVED

USC receiver Makai Lemon left the field in the first quarter after taking a hit while covering a punt. Trojans tight end Lake McRee was hit hard in the left knee, causing Moss to be tackled again.

Johnson left the field in the second half, apparently due to injury.

“He could have come back,” Moore said.

Impact of the survey

Michigan could move into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season, extending its 51-week ranking streak since the start of the 2021 season, while USC could slip slightly in the poll.

Next

On Saturday, USC hosts Wisconsin.

Michigan hosts Minnesota on Saturday.

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Follow Larry Lage on https://twitter.com/larrylage

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