USC vs. Wisconsin: Badgers stun No. 16 Trojans 24-7 as defense holds USC to minus-17 rushing yards

Wisconsin turned Camp Randall Stadium into a nightmare for one of the Big Ten’s best offenses. The Badgers beat No. 16 USC 24-7 on Saturday night, Oct. 24, in Madison, holding the Trojans to minus-17 rushing yards and forcing two first-half interceptions.

It was Wisconsin’s first regular-season win over USC in program history, according to the school, and its highest-ranked win since beating No. 15 Nebraska in November 2021. It was also the Badgers’ third straight home win over a ranked opponent.

USC vs. Wisconsin final score

Wisconsin improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. USC fell to 6-2 and 3-2, according to both schools’ scoreboards.

How the Badgers built the lead

The tone was set early. On USC’s second drive, cornerback Javan Robinson broke up a pass and cornerback Bryce West caught the deflection. His 23-yard return set up a 33-yard field goal by Gavin Lahm. Safety Cairo Skanes then made Wisconsin’s second interception of the first quarter, returning it 27 yards. Both picks were career firsts.

USC answered in the second quarter with a 15-play, 67-yard drive that ended in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava to Taniela Tupou for a 7-3 lead. That was all the Trojans would get.

Inside the two-minute warning, Wisconsin went 75 yards in 13 plays, and running back Bryan Jackson finished it with a 5-yard touchdown run for a 10-7 halftime lead. Jackson spent the previous two seasons at USC, and the score was his first touchdown as a Badger.

Wisconsin opened the second half with another 75-yard drive. On fourth-and-2, quarterback Colton Joseph found Chris Brooks Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead. Late in the third quarter, defensive lineman Junior Poyser blocked a 44-yard USC field goal try, and tight end Ryan Schwendeman’s 1-yard run in the fourth capped the scoring.

Key stats

Wisconsin leaders: - Colton Joseph: 12-of-14 passing, 58 yards, 1 TD; 12 rushes for 32 yards - Abu Sama III: 16 carries, 71 yards - Cooper Catalano: 10 tackles (game high)

USC leaders: - Jayden Maiava: 21-of-37 passing, 190 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT - Taniela Tupou: 4-yard touchdown catch

The two interceptions stood out. Maiava had thrown only three interceptions on 224 attempts this season before Saturday, the AP noted.

Why the Wisconsin defense drew attention

The numbers explain why the upset drew wide attention. USC came in with the second-best offense in the Big Ten, averaging 152.3 rushing yards and 36.4 points per game, according to Wisconsin. The Trojans finished with 25 carries for minus-17 yards, and the Badgers recorded five sacks, including first-half sacks from Sebastian Cheeks and Hammond Russell and a third-down sack by Mason Posa that pushed USC back 15 yards.

USC’s seven points were its fewest in a game since a 17-3 loss to Stanford on Sept. 8, 2018, per Wisconsin.

The win also continued a strong stretch for coach Luke Fickell’s team. Wisconsin’s other win over a ranked opponent this season came 24-20 at then-No. 13 Penn State on Sept. 26.

What’s next

Wisconsin goes on the road to face No. 15 Iowa on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. CT at Kinnick Stadium on FOX. The Badgers return home Nov. 7 against Rutgers.

USC hosts No. 3 Ohio State next Saturday, Oct. 31.

FAQ