Overview
- USC fell to 8-3 with the defeat, which eliminated the Trojans from College Football Playoff and Big Ten title contention.
- Lincoln Riley called the game a heavyweight battle and pointed to a sequence of a missed field goal, a penalty and an Oregon touchdown, plus a damaging punt return, as decisive.
- The Trojans played with a reshuffled offensive line and a thin secondary, with tackle Elijah Paige ruled out, center Killian O’Connor exiting, and inexperienced safeties pressed into action.
- Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted twice, as freshman Tanook Hines and Ja’Kobi Lane delivered downfield plays.
- Oregon amassed 436 total yards and converted 7 of 12 third downs, and USC now turns to the UCLA finale with ESPN projecting an Alamo Bowl matchup against BYU.