USC's playoff hopes fade with an overtime loss to No. 4 Penn State

The chances were there for USC all afternoon as it tried to put away No. 4 Penn State. But once again, Lincoln Riley's Trojans tiptoed along the edge, playing fast and loose with their College Football Playoff hopes hanging in the balance, trying too late for one last chance after a tedious series of missed opportunities seek.

So many times the Trojans have found themselves in this position, inches away from redemption, just a few plays away from a decisive win, only to watch it slip away. When USC took a two-point lead early on Saturday, there was hope that something like that wouldn't happen again.

But then, on a crucial late drive, the seconds passed faster than expected, and a pass from Miller Moss flew higher than expected and landed in the arms of a Penn State defender, and suddenly, in overtime, a desperate field goal attempt went up next to it on the left.

The chances dried up and with them USC's playoff hopes largely disappeared. Penn State's Ryan Barker hit a 36-yard field goal to give USC a 33-30 loss, its third loss in four weeks.

It didn't have to be this way, not after USC dominated the first half and steamrolled Penn State with its running game. Its defense thwarted Penn State's vaunted running game all afternoon, holding the Nittany Lions to just 118 yards rushing. His struggling offensive line held together long enough to win.

Even after all the missed opportunities, USC took over with less than three minutes left and 75 yards to go for the win. But as USC worked its way down the field, Riley lost control of the clock. With the Trojans running out of time, Moss threw a ball down the field, hoping to get into field goal position. It was picked up.

It was a fitting summary of an inconsistent day for the USC quarterback. Moss threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns but never quite managed to make the plays necessary to lead USC to victory.

1

2

1. USC running back Quinten Joyner scores on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Miller Moss in the second quarter. 2. USC safety Kamari Ramsey tackles Penn State tight end Tyler Warren outside the end zone in the first half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Those seemed to be reserved for USC running back Woody Marks, who stormed out of the gates with a strong first half, only for Riley to turn away from him in the second. Marks finished with 20 carries for 111 yards.

Penn State threw everything at the USC defense, playing strange formations and wacky game plans all afternoon. At one point, Penn State even grabbed the ball with its tight end running downfield and catching a one-two pass for a 32-yard touchdown.

That tight end, Tyler Warren, accounted for 43% of Penn State's total offense and tormented the USC defense in a way that brought flashbacks to the Trojans' trip to Utah in 2022, when current Buffalo Bills tight end, Dalton Kincaid, 16 catches for 234 yards.

Penn State's passing attack ultimately got them back into the game, with Drew Allar throwing for 391 yards and two touchdowns.