Overview
- USC led by 10 in the fourth quarter before TCU forced overtime and won 30-27 on a third-and-20 play finished by Payne’s 35-yard catch-and-run.
- Fifth-year quarterback Ken Seals started for TCU after Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal.
- USC’s Jayden Maiava completed 18 of 30 passes for 280 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, including a red-zone pick.
- Freshman Tanook Hines paced USC’s receivers with six catches for 163 yards, and King Miller added 99 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- USC closed the season 9-4 as multiple opt-outs and defensive staff turnover, including D’Anton Lynn’s exit, underscored depth concerns at the Alamodome in San Antonio.