USC Stuns No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 as Luke Fahey's First Start Ends in a Loss at the Coliseum

USC delivered the biggest win of Lincoln Riley’s tenure on Halloween night, beating No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Oct. 31. Thousands of students and fans stormed the rain-soaked field at the final whistle, according to the Associated Press.

The loss spoiled the first career start for Ohio State freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, who filled in for the injured Julian Sayin. The Buckeyes fell to 6-2 (4-1 Big Ten), while USC improved to 7-2 (4-2).

What was the final score of Ohio State vs. USC?

USC won 30-18. The Trojans led 20-9 at halftime and 27-9 after three quarters.

Ohio State actually outgained USC 464 yards to 338 and held the ball for more than 39 minutes, per FOX Sports’ box score. But the Buckeyes settled for four Caden Hawkins field goals and did not score a touchdown until 2:12 remained, according to the official scoring summary.

How did USC pull off the upset?

Big plays. On the second snap of the game, freshman Trent Mosley took a screen pass 69 yards for a touchdown, straight through a defense that had not allowed a play longer than 36 yards all season, the AP reported. Mosley finished with five catches for 101 yards and also broke a 44-yard punt return.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 222 yards and a touchdown, and King Miller and Waymond Jordan each ran for a score. The Trojans went up 27-9 in the third quarter after freshman tight end Mark Bowman hurdled a defender and broke several tackles on a 70-yard catch, setting up Miller’s 1-yard touchdown run.

“That’s two of the best teams in the country on the field right there,” Riley said, per the AP. “It’s going to come down to who plays the situations best, and we did it tonight.”

USC scored more points than Ohio State’s defense had allowed in its previous 31 games, according to the AP, one week after the Trojans’ loss at Wisconsin.

How did Luke Fahey play in his first start?

Fahey, a true freshman from Mission Viejo, California, went 21-of-38 for 260 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, according to Sporting News. He was the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Ohio State since Braxton Miller more than a decade ago, the outlet noted.

The reviews were mixed. Sporting News pointed to repeated overthrows, including on the failed two-point try late in the game. The AP noted that Fahey made several big throws and was hurt by a handful of drops.

“At the end of the day, as a team, we weren’t able to play well enough to support a young freshman quarterback who has his first start on the road like this,” coach Ryan Day said, per the AP, adding frustration over Ohio State’s 11 penalties for 75 yards.

What is Julian Sayin’s injury status?

Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, suffered a serious injury to his throwing arm in Ohio State’s win at Indiana on Oct. 17, Yahoo Sports reported. He is out indefinitely, and Yahoo described him as seemingly out for the rest of the 2026 season. Ohio State has not provided a more specific timeline in the reports cited here.

Day had declined to name a starter before the game. Behind Fahey on the depth chart is redshirt freshman Tavien St. Clair, a former five-star recruit.

Bo Jackson and Jeremiah Smith’s big night

Running back Bo Jackson rushed for 121 yards for the Buckeyes, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith caught 10 passes for 83 yards. Smith’s 1-yard touchdown catch was the 40th of his career, breaking Braylon Edwards’ Big Ten record, according to the AP.

What it means for Ohio State’s playoff hopes

Ohio State had not lost two games this early in a season since 2011, the AP reported; the Buckeyes’ other loss was 24-23 at Texas in September. The AP noted that Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes are not dead yet.

FAQ