USC hits the jackpot in win over LSU

In a city that sways to its own beat, the neon-colored bulbs shimmer like stars painting the night's sky and where the heaviness of failure looms. In this robust metropolis, one does not need the sun's rays or the moon's glow because its rendition of stars powers the tantalizing hues of the city.

Two college teams converged on the city in the desert last Sunday, lured by the promise of college football playoffs and the immortality of returning to national championship standards. USC and LSU arrived with hopes as high as the towering casinos that line the iconic Strip. But amidst the noise of slot machines and the whirl of roulette wheels, betwixt the fight songs, school colors, chants, and pom-poms, there existed a faint glimmer of possibility-a chance, however slight, either the Tigers or Trojans could strike gold and walk away with a jackpot.

It's a funny thing, this city of dreams and illusions. In a town where the house stacks the odds in its favor, these programs, each with dreams of striking it big–one team, the USC Trojans, left the Tigers' dreams a dashed distant mirage in the desert in a 27-20 victory.

In the calm of the stadium, before and as fans entered Allegiant Stadium, Miller Moss, Mason Cobb, and Woody Marks approached the field to warm up in unique and distinct ways that would serve as harbingers of how the game would unfold.

Moss calmly walked the field as he warmed up his arm. His eyes were steely and focused, and his countenance was pensive as he soaked in the moment of materializing his childhood dream. He would lead the USC Trojans in a national televise game in their first Big-10 appearance against the LSU Tigers.

Shortly thereafter, Cobb strolled onto the field with fire in his eyes, appearing like a man possessed. Cobb paced the field with his earphones on, taking in the fullness of the moment, focused, tenacious and enraged. It appeared he was recalling everything said about him and the defense. Last year, pundits were ruthless in assessing the USC defense, their coach, their former defensive coordinator and him. He heard it all. The rest of the Trojan defense had heard it all.

Woody Marks came to pregame with his shirt off, showcasing his muscles. He was ready to outmuscle and flex on the Tigers. He walked past Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, and Anthony Munoz, who all admired and acknowledged the Adonis as he stretched and prepared for the game.

Those three Trojans left their fingerprints on the wrestling match, where everyone had to fight to emerge victorious. From the outset, LSU sent a message. Teams generally defer the kickoff until the half after winning the coin toss, not the Tigers. After a week of telling media members how they would run the ball down USC's throat, LSU chose to receive the ball. To send a message on their opening drive, the Tigers went for it on a critical fourth down, opting to throw the ball. It was a bold move that underscored their intent. LSU wouldn't hold back. However, Cobb and the defense prevented LSU from scoring on the drive. The Trojan levees bowed, but they never broke.

Moss, ever poised and composed, kept the Trojan offense on schedule. When it appeared that LSU would stymie the Trojan offense, Moss side-stepped a blitzing nickel corner to connect with Marks to keep the drive alive. After a scoreless first quarter, Moss and Kyron Hudson showed flashes of brilliance. Hudson high-fived the ball and came down with an answered prayer surrounded by LSU defenders. Hudson's catch was a spark that invigorated the Trojan sideline and fans. Moments later, Ja'Kobi Lane drew a pass interference call in the endzone that set the table for a Marks 2-yard touchdown run to put the Trojans up 7-0.

But LSU didn't roll over. Garrett Nussmeier led the Tigers on a 75-yard drive, punctuated by a Kyron Lacy 19-yard touchdown reception to tie the game. On the ensuing kickoff, the electric Zachariah Branch set USC up at the LSU 43 with a 46-yard return.

Ashton Stamps single-handedly saved four points for LSU, demonstrating outstanding patience and timing on a pass breakup that led to a USC 22-yard Michael Lantz field goal, pushing their lead to 10-7. Nussmeier and the Tigers would respond, dissecting the soft USC zone, setting up a 45-yard Damian Ramos field goal that tied the score at 10-10.

Moss used the first half's remaining 1:08 to march his team down the field to set up a 29-yard Lantz field goal that pushed wide right. At halftime, the score was 10-10.

The Trojans again edged ahead with a 35-yard Lantz field goal in the third quarter. Nussmeier, not to be overshadowed by Miller, quickly led the Tigers on a seven-play, 78-yard drive. LSU's drive was punctuated by a 13-yard Aaron Anderson touchdown reception after Kamari Ramsey slipped, tilting the score 17-13 in the Tiger's favor.

In the fourth quarter, both teams exchanged body blows like a Vegas havyweight fight. Moss would cement his fingerprints on the game when the Trojans had to respond to a raucous Tiger crowd, Moss and Marks made their marks, leading USC on a three-play 64-yard drive. Moss started the drive, connecting with Hudson on a 20-yard pass and catch. With a 16-yard dash up the middle, Marks delivered a keep tun once again. Then Moss connected with Ja'Kobi Lane on a 28-yard touchdown play-action pass on the next play to push USC up 20-17.

LSU marched and tied the game on a 61-yard, eight-play drive, capped by a 31-yard Ramos field goal to tie the game 20-20. The Tigers made major mistake, mistake they left 1:47 on the clock.

Moss led the Trojans on an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 13-yard Marks touchdown run to put the Trojans ahead for good 27-20.

The Trojans' closer, Cobb, sealed the game when he intercepted a Nussmeier pass, dashing any hopes of a Vegas' magic for the Tigers.

USC's Moss completed 27 of 36 passes for 378 yards with one touchdown. Marks ran for 68 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns.

LSU's Nussmeier completed 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Lacy caught seven passes for 94 yards and one touchdown. Anderson caught five passes for 64 yards and one touchdown.

The Trojans 1-0 face Utah State on Saturday at the Coliseum at 8:00 p.m.

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