LOS ANGELES, CA —When the No. 23 ranked USC Trojans needed a crucial road win the most—after a season plagued by inconsistent play away from home—they delivered Saturday night in Lincoln, edging out the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a hard-fought 21–17 victory.
It wasn’t the cleanest performance, as USC struggled on both sides of the ball to find rhythm offensively and to wrap up tackles defensively. Yet, when the pressure mounted, the Trojans dug in and held the Cornhuskers off to secure their sixth win of the season.
With USC’s 21-17 road victory Saturday night vs. Nebraska, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans improved to 6-2 overall on the season – Image Credit: USC Football/@uscfb on Instagram
Nebraska struck first when quarterback Dylan Raiola connected with wide receiver Dane Key for a 14-yard touchdown. The Trojans tried to respond but could only muster up two field goals, one of them a 49-yard make.
The Cornhuskers capitalized on USC’s defensive miscues early, extending their lead to 14–6 before halftime thanks to a 10-yard rushing touchdown from running back Emmett Johnson.
Momentum shifted in the second half when Raiola exited the game with an ankle injury, forcing true freshman TJ Lateef to take over at quarterback for Nebraska.
USC’s Jayden Maiava didn’t have his best night passing, but he made up for it with his legs, recording a career performance on the ground. Maiava broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run to pull the Trojans within two, and head coach Lincoln Riley opted to go for two—successfully converting on a King Miller run to tie the game at 14.
Nebraska managed only a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to regain a brief lead, but Miller took control from there.
The USC freshman running back powered through with 18 carries for 129 yards and sealed the game with a decisive six-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth after an incredible Trojan flea flicker.
With the victory, the Trojans earned a much-needed road win over a Big Ten opponent and improved to 6–2 on the season as they return to Los Angeles to host Northwestern this coming Friday night, November 7th, at the Coliseum.
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