Penalties and turnovers set Trojans back in losses

USC was upset on the road as the Minnesota Gophers beat the Trojans 24-17. USC had a chance to win the game late, but quarterback Miller Moss threw an interception that sealed the game for the Gophers.

USC scored just 10 points in the first half as its offense struggled early for the third straight game. The Trojans opened with an 11-play drive that stalled and resulted in a missed field goal by Michael Lantz. USC quarterback Miller Moss and the Trojans' offense didn't find the end zone until midway through the second quarter, when Moss found Duce Robinson for a passing touchdown at the end of a 15-play drive. The Trojans' defense forced a fumble in Minnesota territory, then put together a drive at the end of the half to get into field goal range at the end of the first half and tie the game at 10-0. If the USC offense is unable to get much going early on, this will put more pressure on their defense and get them on the field more often than they probably would like.

USC had to keep coming back as it picked up eight penalties that led to 59 yards rushing against the Gophers. The USC defense collected three flags alone during a Gophers drive in the second quarter, giving Minnesota three points. In the game-winning fourth quarter, USC received four more penalties. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was whistled for a personal foul on a punt, giving Minnesota good field position midway through the fourth quarter. USC couldn't escape its self-inflicted wounds, which they can't let happen in their next game against Penn State. If USC continues to have slow starts, they can't add penalties as well. This is a recipe for disaster and proved it tonight with the demise of the Trojans.

In their two losses, the Trojans allowed 160 yards to Michigan's Kalel Mullings and 144 yards to Minnesota's Darius Taylor. If USC wants to be competitive in games against prominent Big Ten opponents, they will have to find a way to limit the run. The absence of Trojans linebacker Eric Gentry was noticeable tonight. The Trojans missed their leading tackler as the Gophers attacked USC's front seven. Taylor had his best game of the season and possibly his career up to that point, rushing for 5.8 yards per carry against the Trojans. USC couldn't contain Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer on the few runs he had. Brosmer scored three touchdowns on the ground, including the game-winning touchdown from the Trojans' one-yard line.