The USC Trojans, often slammed for lacking grit, flipped the script with a wild comeback win over Iowa. Down 21-7 late in the second quarter, they clawed back to snag a 26-21 victory and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
This gutsy showing put the depth and drive of Lincoln Riley’s squad on full display. With Oregon and UCLA looming, USC’s got a chance to shake up the national title race—maybe more than folks think.
The Battle at the Coliseum
It was a rainy afternoon at the Coliseum, and USC lined up against Iowa—a team famous for locking down leads. Things got ugly fast, with Iowa marching 69 yards in just seven plays to score first.
By late in the second quarter, the Trojans trailed 21-7. The weather and the Hawkeyes both felt like heavy weights on their shoulders.
A Turning Point
Still, USC didn’t fold. Despite the chatter about their supposed lack of toughness, they started clawing their way back.
Makai Lemon made some jaw-dropping grabs, racking up 153 yards. King Miller bulldozed through for 83 bruising, clock-eating yards. Suddenly, the Trojans had a pulse.
The Comeback
The rally was a mix of gritty drives and clutch defense. Jahkeem Stewart snatched a huge interception, and Jayden Maiava kept his cool—tossing a touchdown and avoiding turnovers.
USC rattled off 19 straight points. Bryan Jackson powered in from a yard out, and just like that, they were ahead.
Key Performances
Players who made the difference:
- Makai Lemon: 153 yards of highlight-reel catches
- King Miller: 83 tough, time-chewing rushing yards
- Jahkeem Stewart: Critical interception that flipped momentum
- Jayden Maiava: Calm, mistake-free play with a touchdown pass
Lincoln Riley’s Leadership
Lincoln Riley’s steady hand mattered. Afterward, he called it a true “culture win” and pointed to the team’s grit at halftime.
His faith in the group seemed to rub off, sparking a second-half surge. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
Setting the Standard
Linebacker Eric Gentry summed it up: “The whole team understands what the culture is … fight till the last second.”
That attitude has paid off lately. USC has held opponents to three points or fewer in the second half for three straight weeks. Not too shabby.
Looking Ahead
Now, with Iowa in the rearview, USC’s playoff dream is still alive. But the road gets rough, with seventh-ranked Oregon and bitter rival UCLA up next.
Most folks don’t think they can take down Oregon in Eugene. But then again, people doubted them against Iowa too.
Betting on the Trojans
Honestly, betting against this USC team might not be wise. They’ve got some of the best receivers in the country and a quarterback who’s coming into his own.
The defense? It’s looking sharper every week. As Gentry put it, “This team is … setting the standard for the Big Ten … coming in and winning big games every week.”
Conclusion
The USC Trojans’ comeback against Iowa really showed off their resilience. They just refused to back down, and honestly, you could feel the determination in every play.
Lincoln Riley’s leadership has clearly made a difference. The team seems to believe they can handle just about anything right now.
They’ve got some big games coming up. If they keep this up, USC has a real shot at locking in a spot in the College Football Playoff.
If you want all the details from this wild game, check out the full article on the Los Angeles Times.
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