The start of the college football season saw an exciting penultimate entry on Sunday between No. 12 LSU and No. 23 USC in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic.
USC upset LSU, 27-20, at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on a game-winning drive executed by Trojans first-year starting quarterback Miller Moss — putting a cherry on top of what was a thrilling opening weekend of college football.
USC running back Woody Marks was the one who scored the winning touchdown, which came on a 13-yard carry up the middle with seconds left in the fourth quarter. Marks' touchdown was set up by a 20-yard reception from Kyron Hudson and a 15-yard targeting penalty on LSU's safety Jardin Gilbert.
Moss completed 27 of 36 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown. His counterpart, LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, finished 29 of 38 for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
The 27-20 loss for LSU marks the third consecutive season it will open up the season 0-1 under Brian Kelly. The Tigers have not won their season opener since 2019, then coached by Ed Orgeron.
Watch LSU football vs USC live on Fubo (free trial)With that, here are updates, highlights and scores from LSU vs. USC from Las Vegas:
| TEAMS | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
| LSU | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| USC | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
Lincoln Riley and USC will leave Las Vegas with a statement win as they upset No. 12 LSU 27-20 in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic.
Trojans made big plays down the stretch as Miller Moss executed the two-minute drill. Woody Marks scored the game-winning touchdown for USC after LSU's Jardin Gilbert was ejected from the game for targeting at the 18-second mark of the fourth quarter.
It is the third consecutive season that LSU will start 0-1 under Brian Kelly.
USC running back Woody Marks caps off a well-executed two-minute drill for the Trojans with a 13-yard rushing touchdown. USC leads LSU 27-20 with eight seconds to go.
LSU Jardin Gilbert was ejected from Sunday's game after he was called for targeting after his hit on USC wide receiver Kyron Hudson. USC moves up to the LSU 13-yard line.
After driving into the red zone, LSU can't convert with a touchdown and is forced to kick the field goal. Damian Ramos hits the 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 20-20.
USC gets the ball back with 1:47 to go in the fourth quarter. Trojans only have one timeout left. Meanwhile, LSU still has all three timeouts remaining.
The Tigers are driving on offense after giving up a touchdown to the Trojans. Garrett Nussmeier was able to connect with Aaron Anderson for a 41-yard reception on a third-and-short play, while on the blitz, and then with Zavion Thomas to put LSU at the 16-yard line. Tigers moved up to the 13-yard line after a 3-yard carry from John Emery.
LSU currently trailing USC 20-17 at the two-minute timeout, which is a new addition to college football this season.
Miller Moss throws a dime to wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane for a 28-yard touchdown reception on a free play. USC retakes the lead, 20-17, with 5:44 to go in the fourth quarter. Heck of a throw and execution by Moss. It is a three-play drive for 64 yards in 1:13 for the Trojans.
It is the first score by either time since the 11:27 mark of the third quarter.
USC's defense comes up with the stop on third-and-1, forcing LSU to punt. Both defenses have settled in here in the second half after both teams scored on their second drives in the third quarter.
LSU dials up the pressure once again and is rewarded as the Tigers' defense gets the stop, forcing USC to turn it over on downs. LSU nearly came up with an interception after Sai’vion Jones bats away Miller Moss' throw.
The Trojans had to burn their second timeout in a matter of plays prior to the fourth-down play because they couldn't get substitutions in or hear the play call. The stadium is quite loud in Las Vegas with a heavy LSU presence. LSU takes the ball over leading 17-13 with 8:38 to go in Las Vegas.
Tigers blitz Miller Moss again and Da'Shawn Womack almost comes up with a big-time interception. Instead, he will just settle for a broken-up pass. USC has a third-and-6 on the LSU 33-yard line with 9:25 to go in the fourth quarter.
LSU's Josh Williams is tackled short of the first down, resulting in a three-and-out for the Tigers. USC takes over the ball on the 15-yard line.
Fours up in Las Vegas as LSU takes a 17-13 lead into the fourth quarter vs. No. 23 USC. Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU offense have the ball on the 39-yard line to begin the quarter.
Trojans are forced to punt for the second time in the second half. USC was unable to overcome an unsportsmanlike penalty following the LSU extra point attempt. Three plays for three yards for USC on the drive.
LSU takes its first lead of the night, 17-13, as Aaron Anderson reels in a 13-yard touchdown reception from Garrett Nussmeier.
Running back John Emery had the big play on the LSU scoring drive as he set up the touchdown with a 39-yard carry on the halfback counter play call, breaking through the USC defense. It was a seven-play drive for 78 yards for LSU in 3:25 minutes.
Sai'vion Jones picks up his second sack of the night on Miller Moss to force USC to take a field goal. The field goal is good from Michael Lantz to give USC a 13-10 lead with 7:13 to go in the third quarter.
The big play on the drive came on a third-and-10 at the USC 35-yard line when Moss connected in the middle of the field with tight end Kyle Ford for a 41-yard reception. Ford broke late on the play and showed off some shiftiness after making the catch, resulting in a big play for the Trojans.
Garrett Nussmeier's pass to CJ Daniels comes up short of the first down, resulting in a three-and-out for LSU to begin the half as well. Both team's offenses looking to regain their momentum from before halftime. USC takes over the ball at its own 23-yard line after the punt.
It's a three-and-out for USC to start the second half. LSU takes over the ball at its own 27-yard line after the punt. Tigers dialed up the pressure on third down against the Trojans to force the punt.
The Trojans will receive the ball first in the second half after LSU elected to receive the ball first. LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy leads all receivers in Sunday's game with seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Here's a look at team stats at the half between LSU and USC:
Here's a look at the quarterback comparison at halftime:
USC kicker Michael Lantz misses a 29-yard field goal wide right that would have given USC a 13-10 lead at the half. The big play that helped set up the field goal attempt was a 22-yard completion from Miller Moss to Lake McRee.
LSU was unable to convert on third-and-10 for the first down, resulting in the Tigers sending out the field goal unit. Aeron Burrell makes the 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10 with 1:08 to go until halftime.
LSU cornerback Ashton Stamps saves a touchdown from happening as he breaks up the pass from Miller Moss that was nearly caught by a USC receiver. As a result, the Trojans are forced to kick the field goal and take the three points to retake the lead at 10-7.
Sai'vion Jones finds the hole and sacks Miller Moss for 4-yard loss to push USC back to the LSU 24-yard line. Second-and-goal coming up.
Trojans return man Zachariah Branch nearly went the distance on the kickoff return from Tigers kicker Aeron Burrel. As Branch was approaching the 50-yard line, he stumbled and was tackled. If Branch went left, instead of right, he may have found himself in the end zone for six.
Shortly after reeling in a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7, the LSU wide receiver was given an unsportsmanlike penalty by the officials for his post-touchdown gesture toward a USC player.
Lacy has five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown thus far tonight.
Garrett Nussmeier leads the Tigers down the field for a game-tying touchdown. The first-year LSU starting quarterback lofted one up in the air and connected with wide receiver Kyren Lacy in the end zone to tie the game 7-7. Quite the response and execution from Nussmeier. The drive went nine plays for 75 yards in 3:56 minutes.
USC running back Woody Marks puts the Trojans on the board first as he runs one in for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. PAT is good from Michael Lantz. USC now leads LSU 7-0 in the second quarter. The drive went eight plays for 87 yards in 3:49 off the clock for the Trojans.
Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson made an unreal catch in the air from Miller Moss to set up a red zone drive for USC in the second quarter. It's a 24-yard reception for Hudson.
Tonight's LSU-USC is unavailable for DirectTV users due to a blackout. You can watch the game on ESPN+ with this link here. Click here to read more on the blackout.
Former LSU Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels is in attendance of the top-25 matchup.
LSU posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of star offensive lineman Will Campbell wearing a special shirt during warmups tonight in Las Vegas as he continues to honor his late cousin Tarver Braddock.
Braddock passed away in January of this past year.
LSU coach Brian Kelly has arrived at the stadium for Sunday's opener vs. USC. Kelly is 20-7 overall in two seasons in Baton Rouge and has led the Tigers to back-to-back bowl games.
The Advertiser's Cory Diaz has noted that LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton (bone bruise) is not expected to play in Sunday's game vs. USC. Hilton is currently on the field participating in warm-ups in street clothes. A big loss to the Tigers' offense.
The Advertiser's Cory Diaz has noted the following changes to the depth chart for the Tigers, with Chris Hilton listed at X. Ahmad Breaux is listed behind Jacobian Guillory at DT. Javien Toviano is behind Major Burns at the star position
QB Miller Moss, WR Kyron Hudson, C Jonah Monheim, LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and S Akili Arnold will serve as the captains for USC on Sunday vs. LSU.
USC quarterback Miller Moss has arrived at the stadium. Moss has made just one start in 18 career collegiate games. He had a six-touchdown performance in his lone start in the 2023 Holiday Bowl.
Here's a look at the playing field in Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium for the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic. Tigers-Trojans is the third game of Week 1 between top-25 teams, the others being No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson and No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M.
Here's the hype video USC released earlier this morning. The video has received quite a positive reaction on social media from those within college football.
Here are the picks made by ESPN's "College GameDay" crew and guest picker Johnny Manziel on Saturday for Sunday night's LSU vs. USC game:
REQUIRED READING:Why is LSU football playing USC in Las Vegas? Game part of Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic
The Tigers and Trojans will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 1.
LSU and USC will be broadcast nationally on ABC. "College GameDay" host Rece Davis (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) will have the call from Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
You can stream the game on ESPN+, ESPN's streaming platform, or on Fubo, which carries ABC and the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to select users.
REQUIRED READING:Are Garrett Nussmeier and Doug Nussmeier related? What to know of Eagles coach's son as LSU's QB
Cory Diaz, The Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU 28, USC 24
"LSU's opening game will be an ugly one. Both teams are breaking in new QBs, who'll throw interceptions but it'll be Nussmeier that guides the Tigers down the field a late, go ahead score."
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: LSU 35, USC 28
"It's a battle of beleaguered defenses, and LSU is trying to avoid a loss in the season opener for the fifth straight season. The Trojans are closer to home here, and Lincoln Riley can prove the hire of defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn right here. This is the Trojans' first matchup against an SEC opponent since the 52-6 loss to Alabama at Jerry World on Sept. 3, 2016 – a game now best-known for USC's ill-fated entrance to the field. Garrett Nussmeier delivers in the clutch for the Tigers in a back-and-forth thriller that Brian Kelly is now accustomed to."
REQUIRED READING:College football Week 1 winners and losers: Georgia dominates Clemson and Florida flops
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Sept. 1
The Weather Channel notes that Sunday's weather in Las Vegas is sunny skies with a high of 103 degrees. The winds are coming from the southeast at 6 mph. There is no chance of rain on Sunday.
Note: Allegiant Stadium is a closed-dome stadium.
Here's a full look at the Tigers' 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Eastern
* denotes SEC game
Buy tickets to LSU football at StubHubHere's a full look at the Trojans' 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Eastern.
* denotes Big Ten game
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