Maryland 29-28 USC (Oct. 19, 2024) Game Recap

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Miller Moss threw an interception in the third quarter, the defense allowed two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter – including one after a blocked field goal – and USC squandered another late lead, losing 29-28 in Maryland Saturday to extend its season-long skid to three.

The Trojans (3-4, 1-4 Big Ten) have lost their four games by a total of 14 points – all after being ahead in the second half. This time they were ahead 28-14 before collapsing in agonizing fashion.

“That's the story of the last few weeks because we did some good things, got a lead, and we obviously just weren't able to finish those games,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “It eats you up.”

Michael Lantz's game-tying field goal attempt with two minutes left 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 3-0 lead. Yard touchdown run with 53 seconds left. Moss' incomplete pass on fourth down with 11 seconds left ended the game and fans stormed the field to celebrate after the schools' first meeting.

Riley called it “hard to swallow” after a “heartbreaking way to end it.”

“We’re confident in all of these games,” USC safety Bryson Shaw said. “They get to the point and you wonder, 'How did this happen?' But full trust. This hurts – don’t get me wrong. This hurts like crazy, but I know we will continue to fight in the future and this is the only option we have.”

The Terrapins (4-3, 1-3) overcame some mistakes that could have resulted in another disappointing loss. Instead, Roman Hemby's TD run and subsequent 2-point conversion set the stage for a double-digit comeback that came when many of the 43,013 spectators were long gone.

Coach Mike Locksley joked he would have left, too, but said those who stayed learned something about his team.

“We assume we can win here, and win big. I think today was a step in the right direction,” Locksley said.

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, and Lavain Scruggs provided the game's defining moment, picking off Moss and returning it 51 yards to set up a touchdown.

“Billy continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership,” Locksley said. “Billy is a winner and this team will fight. He has taken on the personality that we need from him as a leader.”

USC continued to make self-inflicted errors, capped by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Mason Cobb on the extra point that gave Maryland the lead. The Trojans allowed Maryland to gain 429 yards of offense and they can't seem to get out of this slump.

“It's not about any end result or whatever that may be,” said Moss, who was 34 of 50 for 336 yards with TD passes to Ja'Kobi Lane, Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson. “We said at the beginning of the year that we were committed to each other no matter what, no matter the outcome, and I think that's true.”

The takeaway food

USC: Still without a road win in the Big Ten, Riley's group still has some soul-searching to do in the post-Caleb Williams era. The Trojans weren't defeated, but such a loss says nothing about how the players handle late-game situations.

“It’s mine,” Riley said. “It is my responsibility. I have to make this team play better at the end of games and I obviously haven’t done that well enough.”

Maryland: Bowl eligibility seemed unlikely after last week's 37-10 home loss to Northwestern, but now that they've pulled off this upset, it's a reality. The schedule on the road is brutal, but the Terps have a possible path.

Next

USC hosts Rutgers on Friday night.

Maryland visits Minnesota next Saturday.

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