SB Nation • 9 min read

Michigan Football severely outplayed on line of scrimmage in 31-13 loss at USC

The Michigan Wolverines were severely outplayed on both sides of the ball — allowing an alarming 225 rushing yards — in a 31-13 loss to the USC Trojans on Saturday, falling to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big

Ten play.

Here’s how it all went down.

First Quarter

For a second straight week, the Wolverines allowed an opening drive touchdown as USC marched right down the field. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava hit wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for a 2-yard touchdown, capping off an 11-play, 75-yard drive.

Michigan failed to find any success on the first offensive drive, quickly going three-and-out and being forced to punt. On the ensuing drive, it appeared USC was going to extend the 7-0 lead until Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill forced a fumble.

Hill came out of nowhere and put a big-time hit on USC tight end Lake McRee to jar the ball loose and it was recovered by Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore. Michigan had a chance to score off the turnover but the offense eventually stalled.

End of Q1: Michigan 0, USC 7

Second Quarter

The Wolverines went on an 11-play drive to get into USC territory as quarterback Bryce Underwood found wide receiver Andrew Marsh for back-to-back receptions, but then USC sacked Underwood on third down and Michigan was forced to punt.

On the next possession, Michigan put together a masterful 14-play, 86-yard drive that lasted more than six minutes and resulted in Underwood connecting with wide receiver Donaven McCulley for a game-tying touchdown with 3:09 left in the half.

Michigan was hoping to get a stop and head into halftime with the game tied but USC’s up-tempo offense answered as Maiava found wide receiver Makai Lemon for a 12-yard score to seize a 14-7 lead with just 14 seconds remaining until halftime.

HALFTIME: Michigan 7, USC 14

Third Quarter

The start of the second half couldn’t have gone any worse for the Wolverines as the offense sputtered and had to punt, while the defense allowed a touchdown drive that included the Trojans converting a 3rd-and-26 and eventually going up 21-7.

Michigan had a chance to force a punt but USC running back King Miller sprinted past the defense for a 49-yard rush and a seismic shift in momentum. Just two players later, Miller scored from 15 yards out to extend the lead to double digits.

Following an interception from cornerback Zeke Berry, Michigan was looking to take advantage and cut into the deficit but Underwood was picked off for just the second time this season — essentially ending any hopes of mounting a comeback.

End of Q3: Michigan 7, USC 21

Fourth Quarter

The Wolverines showed some fight in the fourth quarter as Underwood hit Marsh for a 69-yard touchdown to trim the deficit to 24-13 with 9:17 left. Unfortunately for Michigan, the defense just couldn’t step up when it desperately needed to.

USC continued to dominate the line of scrimmage — which was the story for a majority of the game — as running back Bryan Jackson gashed the Wolverines for a 29-yard touchdown run, putting the final touches on a 31-13 win over Michigan.