Badgers Hands USC Trojans Second Loss of Season With Stellar Defense

The bye week did not benefit the USC Trojans, as they dropped their second game of the season Saturday night in Madison, losing 24-7 to the Wisconsin Badgers. 

Those seven points scored are the lowest points scored by a Lincoln Riley-coached USC team. 

Before kickoff, the Trojans offense would be a man short, as true freshman tight end Mark Bowman would be out for the third consecutive game. The Badgers defense, coming off a loss against the UCLA Bruins last time out, buckled down and had their best defensive showcase this season.

Jayden Maiava and the Trojans offense sputtered in the first half.

Through the first two quarters of play, Maiava was picked off twice — a tipped catch attempt from Kayden Dixon-Wyatt fell into the hands of Wisconsin's Bryce West and a pick under pressure — including two sacks. 

The run game was silenced through the 17 combined attempts from King Miller, Shahn Alston, and Deshonne Redeaux. Registering just two rushing yards in the entire half after a negative run display heading into the locker room. 

USC attempted six rushing attempts in the second half, coming up with a net loss of three yards rushing. Despite the lack of run production, the Trojans had their first lead of the game with 9:48 remaining in the half. 

Even with the interceptions and stagnant offense, Gary Patterson's defense held the Badgers to just a field goal until the two-minute warning. 

Former USC running back Bryan Jackson ran in the end zone with 1:51 remaining in the half, giving Wisconsin their lead back, 10-7. Going into the locker room, the Trojans had less than 100 yards of offense—the last time they had 100 yards or fewer was in 2018 against the Utah Utes. 

Again, the Trojans' run game had no answers for the Badgers' run defense at the start of the second half. On six attempts, they mustered just four rushing yards, but the 72 receiving yards were not able to balance it out. 

By the end of regulation, Maiava went 31-for-50 on passing attempts, throwing for 258 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions and five sacks. 

On 4-and-2, the Badgers offense compiled a five-wide screen, and senior wideout Chris Brooks Jr. went 16 yards for the Badgers' second touchdown. Wisconsin bullied their way in for their third touchdown with 5:21 remaining in the game, with a tush push curated by senior tight end Ryan Schwendeman. 

With the loss, the Trojans fall to 6-2 on the season, kicking off a crucial stretch in their schedule with the ugliest loss of the season. Looking ahead, USC has a date with No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes on Halloween night at the Coliseum.