No. 7 USC Survives Shootout Over Rival UCLA 48–45

Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Pasadena, Calif., on Nov. 19, 2022. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

Southern California’s Caleb Williams passed a career-high 470 yards, while Jordan Addison had 178 yards receiving, as the No. 7 ranked Trojans defeated their biggest rival No. 16 UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 19, with a score of 48–45.

A crowd of nearly 71,000 in Pasadena, Calif., looked on as USC improved to 10–1 overall and 8–1 in the Pac-12 Conference—as an interception by Korey Foreman from Dorian Thompson-Robinson clinched the victory on UCLA’s final drive.

The Trojans’ hopes for a slot in the College Football Playoffs were kept alive—USC will likely ascend in the rankings with No. 5 Tennessee falling to South Carolina 63–38.

Only three punts were forced by both defenses the entire game: two by UCLA in the first half, before 16 possessions by both teams without a punt, then a defensive stop late by the Bruins with 2:27 remaining on the clock.

UCLA’s Laiatu Latu made a critical third-down sack of Williams, giving UCLA an opportunity to tie or potentially take the final lead. Williams opted to force an incomplete pass on the second down with space to run.

However, the Trojan defense picked off the UCLA quarterback for the third time in the game, ending all hopes of the Bruins. Mekhi Blackmon and Shane Lee had the other two interceptions in the first half.

Korey Foreman (0) of the USC Trojans intercepts a pass thrown by Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) of the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter in the game at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Nov. 19, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

The Trojans produced a season-high 648 yards of total offense while the defense forced four turnovers.

Williams finished with two touchdown passes, one interception, and scrambled for 33 yards, rushing with one running TD.

“I love this team. ... We pride ourselves on the unbreakable brotherhood [on both offense and defense] ... and we kept fighting,” said Williams.

Austin Jones rushed for a season-high 120 yards and two touchdowns, alongside Darwin Barlow’s single TD run. Meanwhile, Kyle Ford had 73 yards receiving, adding a touchdown with Addison.

UCLA drops to 8–3, 5–3 in the conference. Thompson-Robinson also had a massive game, throwing four touchdowns, three to tight end Michael Ezeike, while completing 23 of 38 passes for 309 yards—and running for 81 yards and two TDs.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the first down as he goes out of bounds against Calen Bullock (7) of the USC Trojans during the third quarter in the game at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Nov. 19, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

The Bruins gained 513 total yards, with Zach Charbonnet rushing for 95 yards, and Jake Bobo with 76 receiving yards.

UCLA had a 14–0 lead by the end of the first quarter on a 80-yard second drive touchdown and a 30-yard TD pass, following an interception of Williams by Cain Medrano.

The Trojans rallied to a 21–20 halftime deficit, before making two touchdowns early in the third quarter to take a 34–24 lead that they would not relinquish.

UCLA travels to face University of California–Berkeley in their final regular season matchup on Friday afternoon.

The Trojans clinched a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Dec. 2 and will close the regular season hosting another historic rival No. 18 Notre Dame next Saturday.