LOS ANGELES — No. 2 Ohio State trails USC 20-9 at halftime Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with the Buckeyes struggling to turn offensive opportunities into touchdowns in Luke Fahey's first collegiate start.
USC struck quickly, taking a 7-0 lead when quarterback Jayden Maiava connected with Trent Mosley for a 69-yard touchdown less than a minute into the game. The Trojans extended their advantage to 14-3 later in the first quarter on a nine-yard touchdown run by Waymond Jordan.
Ohio State moved the football effectively at times, especially behind running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West. Fahey also completed several nice throws, including a 27-yard gain to Jeremiah Smith and a 23-yard completion to Phillip Bell. However, the Buckeyes were unable to finish their drives, settling for field goals of 39, 34, and 23 yards from Connor Hawkins.
Ohio State's defense got the ball back for their offense midway through the second quarter when Earl Little Jr. forced and recovered a King Miller fumble at the Buckeyes' 42-yard line. The turnover set up a drive that reached the USC 1-yard line, but Ohio State again came away without a touchdown.
Fahey initially appeared to score on a third-down run, but replay overturned the touchdown and placed the ball at the 1-yard line. Bo Jackson was stopped for no gain on the following play, and a false-start penalty on tight end Nate Roberts subsequently pushed the Buckeyes back before Hawkins kicked his third field goal.
USC added two field goals in the second quarter, including one as time expired, to extend its lead to 11 points. Ohio State has shown an ability to move the football, but the Buckeyes will need to finish drives and prevent explosive plays if they hope to overcome the deficit in the second half.
