USC blows a 14-point lead to lose its third game in a row, falling 29-28 at Maryland
Maryland defensive lineman Quashon Fuller, right, defends against Southern California offensive lineman Mason Murphy (76) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in College Park, Md. Credit: AP/Alyssa Howell
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Miller Moss threw an interception in the third quarter, the defense allowed two touchdown drives in the fourth — including one after a blocked field goal — and USC blew another late lead, losing 29-28 at Maryland on Saturday to extend its season-sinking skid to three.
The Trojans (3-4, 1-4 Big Ten) have lost their four games by a combined 14 points — all after being ahead in the fourth. This time, they were up 28-14 before collapsing in excruciating fashion.
Michael Lantz's field goal attempt with two minutes left that would have sealed the game was blocked by Maryland's Donnell Brown, and a costly pass interference penalty on John Humphrey on the ensuing drive paved the way for Billy Edwards Jr.'s go-ahead 3-yard touchdown run with 53 seconds left. Moss' incomplete pass on fourth down with 11 seconds remaining ended it, and fans stormed the field to celebrate after the first meeting between the schools.
The Terrapins (4-3, 1-3) overcame some miscues that could have added up to another deflating defeat. Instead, Roman Hemby’s TD run and the ensuing 2-point conversion set the stage for a double-digit comeback.
Edwards was 39 of 50 for a career-high 373 yards and TD passes to Octavian Smith Jr. and Tai Felton. Kaden Prather had a career-best nine catches and 111 yards receiving, and Lavain Scruggs made the momentum-shifting play of the game by picking off Moss and returning it 51 yards to set up a score late in the third quarter.
USC kept making self-inflicted errors, capped off by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Mason Cobb on the extra point that put Maryland ahead.
Moss finished 34 of 50 for 336 yards with TD passes to Ja’Kobi Lane, Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson. The Trojans allowed the Terrapins to rack up 429 yards of offense.
Southern California quarterback Miller Moss (7) is pressured by Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in College Park, Md. Credit: AP/Alyssa Howell
The takeaway
USC: Still without a Big Ten road victory, coach Lincoln Riley's group has some soul-searching to do in the post-Caleb Williams era. The Trojans have not been blown out, but losing like this doesn't speak well to how players handle late-game situations.
Maryland: Becoming bowl-eligible, something that seemed unlikely after losing 37-10 at home to Northwestern last week, is now realistic after pulling off this upset. The schedule down the stretch is brutal, but the Terps have a possible path.
Up next
USC hosts Rutgers on Friday night.
Maryland visits Minnesota next Saturday.
