USC football: 3 takeaways from Trojans’ 2OT win over Texas

USC football survived another close game. This time, they won 27-24 in double overtime over the Texas Longhorns. Here’s what we learned.

It was their first meeting since the 2006 Rose Bowl where the Longhorns won 41-38. Although it wasn’t a bowl game, this game delivered on every level.

The Texas Longhorns stumbled in their season-opening loss to the Maryland Terrapins, 51-41. There was no magic for the Longhorns on either side of the ball as they fell at home in Week 1. In Week 3, however, the Longhorns were unable to bounce back as they fell on the road to the fourth-ranked USC Trojans, 27-24.

The Longhorns were without quarterback Shane Buechele for the game ,but that was okay as true freshman Sam Ehlinger stepped in and put up a masterful performance. Even after tailing lat in the fourth quarter, USC wouldn’t go away as quarterback Sam Darnold drove the team right back down the field for a game-tying field goal.

The game was a back-and-forth chess match that saw a USC Trojans team that was unable to create distance on the scoreboard with their opponent. In the end, the upset was shut down as the Trojans won in double-overtime. Here are three takeaways from the Trojans’ victory.

3. Sam Ehlinger is the Longhorns new starting quarterback

Regardless of this game’s outcome, true freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger just made it very difficult for Longhorns’ head coach Tom Herman to keep him off the field. Ehlinger went 21-for-40 passing with 298 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in the game.

The Longhorns offense was once again limited on the ground, but Ehlinger made due with what he was given. He did have two interceptions and a late fumble in the game, but he showed determination in his attempt to lead Texas to a victory.

Ehlinger led his team on a 14-play, 91-yard drive that took 4:29 off the clock to put the Longhorns up 17-14 with 45 seconds remaining in the game. Although they had three turnovers and were 3-of-15 on third down conversions, the Longhorns fought hard to stay in the game and almost pulled off the upset.

Regardless of Buechele’s status next week, Ehlinger has to be the team’s starter in Week 4. He put the team in good position to defeat a ranked opponent on the road. They should improve as a team after this tough loss and Ehlinger should play a part in any future success the team will have.

2. The USC Trojans’ secondary is its own worst enemy

The USC Trojans defense didn’t play poorly, but they didn’t play like the fourth-ranked team in the nation, either. The Trojans gave up a late touchdown to give the Longhorns the lead 17-14 with 45 seconds remaining before the defense finally woke up.

They allowed 298 passing yards, although they did force Sam Ehlinger to throw two interceptions. Outside of the interceptions, the secondary allowed Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson to catch seven passes for 191 receiving yards. Another blown coverage is what allowed wide receiver Armanti Foreman to catch a 4-yard pass to put the Longhorns up 17-14 with just seconds remaining.

USC made up for their letdowns in the secondary with a big forced fumble and recovery in double overtime. Against tougher teams, they can’t allow their opponent to hang around or they could pay for it on the scoreboard in the future.

On the bright side, they allowed just 68 rushing yards in the game and didn’t allow a rushing touchdown in the game. It was a much different feel from their 42-24 victory over the Stanford Cardinal last week and the final score definitely showed it. Luckily the defense answered the bell.

1. The USC Trojans offense is good, but it can’t score points

It seemed the USC Trojans thought the Texas Longhorns would lay down this week and take their road loss but they had other ideas.

In what was expected to be a high-scoring affair, the defenses showed up to keep their opponent from crossing the endzone. Quarterback Sam Darnold threw two touchdown passes but also two interceptions.

The Trojans offense was the biggest mystery of the game although they produced 468 total yards offense and 24 first downs. They went 6-for-18 on third down conversions and 0-for-3 on fourth down conversions. When it came to making big plays, guys like wide receiver Deontay Burnett waited until the end, of course, but will that always save the Trojans in the end?

It took a freshman walk-on field goal kicker for them to win in the end, even though they’ve got numerous weapons at their disposal on offense.

Running back Ronald Jones II had 18 carries for 47 rushing yards. Stephen Carr had nine carries for 28 rushing yards. Last week, the duo combined for 34 carries and 235 rushing yards. Jones did have a 56-yard touchdown catch in the game.

Next: Projected Week 4 AP Poll

Things seemed to have changed mighty quickly for the Trojans in Week 3. Hopefully, they can adjust in a positive manner for Week 4. They face California on the road.