EUGENE, OR — Week 13 of the college football season centered on Autzen Stadium, where No. 5 Oregon took on No. 16 Southern California in a Big Ten battle with major College Football Playoff implications.
The Ducks needed a signature win to become a virtual lock for the CFP, and got just that with a 42-27 victory over the Trojans. It was a complete team win, with the Ducks making big plays in every phase of the game.
That includes at quarterback, where Dante Moore completed 22 of 30 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. His favorite target on the day was Kenyon Sadiq, who registered team highs in every receiving category, including catches (six), yards (72) and touchdowns (two). Noah Whittington led the Ducks with 19 rushes for 104 yards and a score, while Jordon Davison also rushed for a score.
Malik Benson also scored an 85-yard kickoff return for touchdown, while the defense forced two turnovers.
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USC vs Oregon score
USC vs Oregon updates
Final: Oregon 42, USC 27
USC forces a punt, but gets the ball back with 11 seconds remaining. The Trojans can do nothing with the time left on the clock and fall to 8-3 on the season — and, importantly, out of CFP contention. The Ducks, meanwhile, advance to 10-1 and are in prime position to host a first-round CFP game.
Trojans turn it over on downs
The Trojans can’t advance past the Oregon 26-yard line, as Jayden Maiava’s pass to Makai Lemon is behind the receiver with a Ducks defender draped over the receiver. USC has three timeouts and the 2-minute timeout left to work with, but the Ducks are in full control of this one.
USC converts fourth down, stays alive
What a play for Jayden Maiava, who on fourth-and-8 escapes a sack attempt, rolls left and throws a wobbler to receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who hauls it in for a 32-yard catch to the Oregon 36-yard line. Time’s running out but if USC can score ahead of the 2-minute timeout the Trojans have a chance for a walk-off score, potentially.
Oregon eats clock en route to touchdown
With USC making it a one-score game, Oregon has responded with a well-executed offensive possession that not only ended with a touchdown, but also ate more than 5:58 minutes of game clock. The Ducks lead 42-27 with 5:30 remaining.
USC makes it one-score game
USC refuses to give in, with Jayden Maiava connecting with tight end tight end Lake McRee for a 9-yard touchdown with 11:32 remaining. The Trojans go for the 2-point conversion but can’t convert, leaving the score 35-27 in favor of Oregon.
Fourth quarter: Oregon 35, USC 21
USC has its work cut out for it at the end of the third quarter, trailing the Ducks by two touchdowns.
Oregon pushes lead back to double-digits
Oregon won’t let USC get back in the game just yet. The Ducks go right down the field and Dante Moore connects with Kenyon Sadiq in the end zone for the second time. The 28-yard strike makes it a two-possession game again.
USC’s Makai Lemon scores 3rd TD, Trojans close gap
The Trojans are still alive as Makai Lemon hauls in his third touchdown − second receiving − of the day. Jayden Maiava finds him for a 4-yard score and he hits the pylon to confirm the score and cut Oregon’s lead to seven points.
USC gets interception
Back-and-forth the ball goes, as USC’s Kennedy Urlacher tips Dante Moore’s pass before he hauls it in for the turnover. The Trojans are near midfield and get another chance to cut Oregon’s lead.
Oregon gets ball back from USC
The Trojans had a prime chance to get back in the game, but Oregon stops it quickly. USC couldn’t move the ball on three straight plays inside Oregon territory, and decided to go for it on fourth down.
It ended with Jayden Maiava throwing his second interception of the game, and the Ducks have the ball right back.
USC stops Oregon on fourth down
The Trojans get a major stop out of halftime, preventing Oregon from picking up a first down on its own side of the field. USC now gets the ball at the Oregon 45-yard line with a chance to cut the deficit.
Halftime: Oregon 28, USC 14
Oregon has created some space away from USC and leads by 14 points at the break.
A punt return touchdown was a pivotal play in getting Oregon the lead, and it extended it after turning an interception into points, thanks to a fourth-down penalty by USC. The Trojans have been able to air the ball out against the top passing defense in the country, but the offense was kept in check for most of the second quarter.
The Ducks will get the ball to start the second half with a chance to extend the lead.
USC misses field goal before halftime
The Trojans get inside the 10-yard line before the half but can’t turn it into points. Kicker Ryon Sayeri hits the upright on a 27-yard field goal and it remains a 14-point deficit.
Oregon extends lead
USC thought it had forced a missed field goal by Oregon, but a penalty for leaping on the kick gives the Ducks first down.
Oregon capitalizes on the opportunity three plays later, with linebacker Bryce Boettcher taking the snap and running it in for a score.
USC QB Jayden Maiava throws interception
The first turnover of the game is an interception by USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. He tried a deep pass that was intercepted by Oregon’s Ify Obidegwu.
It gave the ball to the Ducks at their 29-yard line, and an unsportsmanlike conduct by USC receiver Ja’Kobi Lane gives Oregon an extra 15 yards.
Oregon takes lead on punt return touchdown
Special teams come up big for Oregon.
A line drive kick gave Malik Benson plenty of space, and he runs down the sideline and past USC for an 84-yard touchdown to give the Ducks a 21-14 lead.
USC scores incredible touchdown on trick play
The Trojans use some trickery on an unbelievable touchdown.
Receiver Makai Lemon takes the backwards pass and, after some hesitation, throws it to freshman receiver Tanook Hines, who leaps up and grabs it in the end zone for the touchdown.
The score ties it at 14-all.
End of 1Q: Oregon 14, USC 7
Both teams scored touchdowns on their opening drives, but only Oregon was able to score again on its second possession. The Ducks offense hasn’t been stopped yet, with 132 yards of offense in the first 15 minutes. They also got great field position on both drives thanks to USC penalties.
Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava has looked strong against Oregon’s top passing defense. The Ducks give up an average of 127 passing yards a game, but Maiava already has 114 yards in the air.
USC is in Oregon territory to start the second quarter.
Oregon takes lead
After forcing USC to punt, Oregon goes right down the field again for another touchdown and take its first lead of the game. The Ducks converted two key third-down plays, and Dante Moore found Kenyon Sadiq streaking across the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Oregon scores touchdown on first drive
Oregon responds with its own touchdown to tie the game halfway through the first quarter. After two plays of at least 20 yards, Oregon running back Jordon Davison rushes it in for an 11-yard score.
USC scores touchdown opening drive
The Trojans march down the field on the arm of Jayden Maiava. He finds receiver Makai Lemon for an 8-yard touchdown pass to open the game with a 7-0 lead.
What time does USC vs Oregon start?
Date: Saturday, Nov. 22
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Autzen Stadium (Eugene, Oregon)
Oregon vs. USC kicks off at 3:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. local time) on Saturday, Nov. 22 from Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
What TV channel is USC vs Oregon on today?
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Oregon vs. USC will air nationally on CBS in Week 13. Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Gary Danielson (analyst) will call the game from the booth while Jenny Dell will serve as the sideline reporter.
Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
USC vs Oregon predictions
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: Oregon 34, USC 27
Chris Hansen, Eugene Register-Guard: Oregon 34, USC 24
USC vs Oregon predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy ofBetMGM as of Saturday, Nov. 22:
Spread: Oregon (-10.5)
Over/under: 59.5
Moneyline: Oregon (-400); USC (+310)
Oregon WR Dakorien Moore injury update
Oregon’s top receiver Dakorien Moore will not play against USC due to a knee injury. This will be the third straight game he will miss, a big blow as he’s the leading receiver for the Ducks.
Oregon injury updates
Out
Dakorien Moore, WR
Gary Bryant Jr., WR
Sione Laulea, DB
Evan Stewart, WR
Trey McNutt, DB
Da’Juan Ruggs, RB
Jayden Limar, RB
Gernorris Wilson, OL
Dillon Gresham, WR
Jack Ressler, WR
Questionable
Tionne Gray, DL
Isaiah World, OL
USC injury updates
Out
Jamaal Jarrett, DT
Eli Sanders, RB
Waymond Jordan, RB
Anthony Beavers Jr., LB
Prophet Brown, CB
DJ Jordan, WR
Bishop Fitzgerald, S
Caden Chittenden, K
Questionable
Kamari Ramsey, S
J’Onre Reed, C
Elijah Paige, OL
Oregon football schedule 2025
Saturday, Aug. 30: Oregon 59, Montana State 13
Saturday, Sept. 6: Oregon 69, Oklahoma State 3
Saturday, Sept. 13: Oregon 34, Northwestern 14
Saturday, Sept. 20: Oregon 41, Oregon State 7
Saturday, Sept. 27: Oregon 30, Penn State 24 (2OT)
Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 11: Indiana 30, Oregon 20
Saturday, Oct. 18: Oregon 56, Rutgers 10
Saturday, Oct. 25: Oregon 21, Wisconsin 7
Saturday, Nov. 1: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 8: Oregon 18, Iowa 16
Friday, Nov. 14: Oregon 42, Minnesota 13
Saturday, Nov. 22: Oregon vs. USC | 3:30 p.m. ET | CBS
Saturday, Nov. 29: Oregon at Washington | TBD
USC football schedule 2025
Saturday, Aug 30: USC 73, Missouri State 13
Saturday, Sept. 6: USC 59, Georgia Southern 20
Saturday, Sept. 13: USC 33, Purdue 17
Saturday, Sept. 20: USC 45, Michigan State 31
Saturday, Sept. 27: Illinois 34, USC 32
Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 11: USC 31, Michigan 13
Saturday, Oct. 18: Notre Dame 34, USC 24
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 1: USC 21, Nebraska 17
Friday, Nov. 7: USC 38, Northwestern 17
Saturday, Nov. 15: USC 26, Iowa 21
Saturday, Nov. 22: USC at Oregon | 3:30 p.m. ET | CBS
Saturday, Nov. 29: USC vs. UCLA
Oregon, USC rankings
US LBM Coaches Poll
Oregon: No. 5
USC: No. 16
College Football Playoff rankings
Oregon: No. 7
USC: No. 15
USC vs Oregon history
Saturday’s matchup will be the 64th meeting between USC and Oregon. The Trojans hold the lead in the series 38-23-2.
Oregon has won the last three meetings in the series, with USC’s last win against the Ducks in 2016.
Last USC vs Oregon game
USC and Oregon last played in November 2023, when the Ducks pulled out a 36-27 home victory over the Trojans.
Oregon never trailed in the game and had a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter before USC closed the deficit in the final minutes. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix threw for a season-high 412 yards and four touchdown passes, and Troy Franklin had 147 receiving yards on just two catches.
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams finished 291 yards and one touchdown in the loss.