The No. 17 USC Trojans triumphed over the rival UCLA Bruins with a score of 29-10 on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans had a sluggish start, trailing at halftime before asserting dominance in the second half.
The standout player for the Trojans was running back King Miller.
The most valuable player for the USC Trojans in their victory against UCLA was none other than walk-on running back King Miller. Despite being a walk-on, he has demonstrated his worth as a key contributor this season, stepping up for the injured Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders.
Against UCLA, Miller recorded 17 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns, along with four receptions for 42 yards, totaling 166 yards in the game.
This was an impressive rebound for the Trojans’ rushing offense after they only managed 52 total rushing yards in their previous matchup against the Oregon Ducks.
Establishing the run early against UCLA was crucial, particularly since USC wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane were benched for the first quarter due to what USC coach Lincoln Riley described as “a violation of team policy.”
Last night against UCLA marked the fourth occasion this season that Miller rushed for over 100 yards. The first of these performances occurred during USC’s victory over Michigan in October. Initially the third-string running back, Miller quickly stepped into the lead role following injuries to Jordan and Sanders, and he hasn’t looked back since.
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USC’s opening drive was executed flawlessly, showcasing a run-focused 10-play, 75-yard series that was capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Miller, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead before the UCLA offense had an opportunity to respond. This would be the only score they registered in the first half.
Although USC was able to advance on their subsequent drives, both stalled within UCLA territory. Kicker Ryon Sayeri, typically reliable, had a kick blocked and missed another attempt in the first half, leading the Trojans to enter halftime trailing 10-7.
The second half commenced and USC appeared revitalized. The defense stepped up significantly, while quarterback Jayden Maiava and Miller helped the Trojans seize control of the match, leading to a decisive 29-10 victory.
“We’ve been a solid second-half team throughout the season, and tonight was no exception. The first half wasn’t our best, but the guys regrouped and performed great in the second half,” Riley conveyed to NBC during the postgame interview. “The defense performed excellently in the second half. The offensive flow was impressive, and the atmosphere was electric. It was a great experience.”
With their record now at 9-3, the Trojans await details on which bowl game they will compete in.
