USC Reclaims Victory Bell with Gritty Win Over UCLA Bruins
The USC Trojans secured a hard-fought 19-13 victory over their crosstown rivals, the UCLA Bruins, in a rain-soaked battle at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. The win not only reclaimed the iconic Victory Bell for USC but also ensured bowl eligibility, marking a significant milestone in a season marked by challenges and close contests. Head Coach Lincoln Riley, who dealt with a flu outbreak affecting the majority of the team and coaching staff earlier in the week, expressed pride in his squad’s resilience.
“These wins are special,” Riley said. “We know how much it means to this city, how much it means to this university.” Indeed, the Trojans, who have struggled in tight games for much of the season, managed to secure back-to-back one-possession victories, a testament to their growing confidence and determination.
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The game began with USC overcoming early red zone struggles. Despite some dazzling plays—like a 62-yard pass from quarterback Jayden Maiava to Makai Lemon—the Trojans repeatedly stalled near the goal line. Their first three trips inside the UCLA five-yard line resulted in field goals, giving them a narrow 9-3 halftime lead. Questionable play-calling and missed opportunities frustrated the offense, but USC's defense stepped up to keep UCLA at bay.
Tempers flared as both teams headed to halftime, with multiple unsportsmanlike penalties assessed to UCLA, forcing them into poor field position at the start of the second half. However, the Bruins capitalized on an early USC misstep to take a 10-9 lead. With the game hanging in the balance in the fourth quarter, USC found its spark. A trick play involving Lemon—a receiver who had never thrown a pass before—resulted in a 39-yard completion, setting up Maiava’s clutch touchdown pass to Ja’Kobi Lane.
Maiava, who is now 2-0 as a starter, showcased poise under pressure, making critical plays in key moments. Riley praised his young quarterback and the defensive unit, saying, “I can’t say enough about us defensively, how well we played to hold them down. We were just pretty awesome defensively, we really were.”
As UCLA attempted a late comeback, USC’s defense held firm, forcing four consecutive incompletions to seal the victory. The win demonstrated not just the team's ability to bounce back from adversity but also its potential moving forward. As Riley remarked, “Winning breeds confidence, it breeds excitement. It’s confirmation on the things that you do.”
This gritty performance has rejuvenated USC’s season and reaffirmed their identity as a resilient and determined team, capable of shining in high-stakes moments. With momentum on their side, the Trojans head into the postseason ready to make an impact.
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