It was a story of two halves in Ann Arbor, however it was the house group that formally welcomed USC to the Large Ten.
The reigning nationwide champion Michigan Wolverines, ranked 18th within the nation, discovered the tip zone with underneath a minute to go for a 27-24 victory over the Eleventh-ranked Trojans.
Michigan did not get a primary down in its first 5 drives of the second half after racking up over 200 yards of offense within the first. Nevertheless, on third and 1 with simply over two minutes to go, Kalel Mullings acquired the Wolverines inside putting distance with a 63-yard run to the USC 17.
Seven performs later, Mullings discovered the tip zone on a fourth and objective from the 1-yard line to place Michigan up, 27-24, with 37 seconds left. A cease would have all however given the Trojans the victory.
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Michigan operating again Kalel Mullings (20) runs in opposition to USC throughout the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Junfu Han/USA At this time Community by way of Imagn Pictures)
USC had no timeouts when it acquired the ball again, and the Trojans did not cross the first-down marker on fourth and 9 from their very own aspect of the sector, giving Michigan the victory.
Michigan led 14-3 on the half, however USC got here out of the locker room with a 12-play landing drive. Michigan had a choose six on USC’s subsequent drive, however its subsequent turnover didn’t lead to an analogous destiny.
A Trojan fumble was recovered by Michigan contained in the 10-yard line, however Wolverines’ defensive lineman Kenneth Grant misplaced a fumble of his personal on the return. So, USC had one other set of downs, and the Trojans took benefit by scoring a landing two performs later to make it a 20-17 sport.
After Donovan Edwards misplaced a fumble on Michigan’s personal finish, USC scored to take a 24-20 lead three performs later. However when it wanted it probably the most, the Trojan protection was unable to get a cease.
Michigan Wolverines operating again Donovan Edwards (7) receives congratulations from teammates after he rushes for a landing within the first half in opposition to the USC Trojans at Michigan Stadium. (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Pictures)
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Michigan acquired the ball again with 4 minutes to go, after it did not get a primary down in every of its first 5 possessions of the half.
The Wolverines confirmed USC what Large Ten and Michigan soccer is all about, dashing for 290 yards and throwing for simply 32. Mullings led the best way with 159 yards on the bottom and two touchdowns on 17 carries, whereas Edwards discovered the tip zone whereas operating for 74 yards on 14 makes an attempt.
Miller Moss accomplished 28 of his 51 makes an attempt for USC for 283 yards, three touchdowns and a choose.
Kalel Mullings (20) of the Michigan Wolverines runs away from defenders for a landing throughout the first half in opposition to the USC Trojans at Michigan Stadium Sept. 21, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Pictures)
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It was a much-needed win for Michigan (3-1), which had a troublesome loss to Texas, which is now No. 1, on the Large Home two weeks in the past. A loss, even with a 12-team playoff, would have been detrimental to their postseason hopes. Will probably be fascinating to see the place USC, which entered as a four-point favourite, will fall within the polls.
Michigan is again residence subsequent week for a Large Ten matchup in opposition to Minnesota, whereas USC (2-1) will host Wisconsin for its first residence Large Ten battle.
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