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USC |
MINN |
Minnesota upsets No. 11 USC 24-17 on Brosmer's 4th-and-goal sneak with 56 seconds left
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck faced a crucial decision, in a tense fourth-and-goal situation with the game tied late, but in his mind there wasn't even a choice to be made.
“How often do you have an inch to go beat USC?” Fleck said.
Max Brosmer powered into the end zone for Minnesota from the 1-yard line with 56 seconds left, his third rushing touchdown of the game for a 24-17 win over 11th-ranked Southern California on Saturday night.
Brosmer, who went 15 for 19 for 169 yards passing, buried himself in a crowd of blockers and found enough of a crease to cross the goal line. The officials on the field ruled him short, but the replay review resulted in a reversal the entire stadium knew was coming.
“It was just the best way to finish,” Brosmer said. “To have all your boys around you at that moment when you’re literally face to face and you’re screaming at each other, ‘Yeah! Let’s go!' when no one else can see it, it’s pretty cool.”
With the Trojans (3-2, 1-2 Big Ten) out of timeouts, Miller Moss hustled them up the field before his heave to Duce Robinson from the 28 into double coverage was picked off by Koi Perich in the end zone.
“I knew he was throwing to the 6-6 guy,” Perich said. “That guy's huge. Just go up and make a play, and I made it this time."
Darius Taylor had 200 yards from scrimmage for Minnesota (3-3, 1-2), including 144 yards on 25 rushes to lead the comeback that culminated with a crowd storming on the field in celebration of the Gophers' first win against the Trojans since 1955. USC leads the series 6-2-1.
With USC leading 17-10, Moss was pressured off the edge by Jah Joyner with 10:11 left when his follow-through was disrupted and the ball floated forward for a diving interception by Devin Williams.
Minnesota went 65 yards in six plays for Brosmer's second rushing touchdown, an off-tackle keeper that tied the game with 7:08 to go. After forcing a three-and-out, the Gophers started the game-sealing drive.
Moss, who topped the 300-yard mark twice in the first four games, went 23 for 38 for 200 yards and one touchdown against a Minnesota team that entered the week leading the FBS in pass defense.
“Stuff was there offensively,” Moss said. “I felt like we were running the ball well.”
Woody Marks had 20 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown for USC, which tied for its lowest score in three seasons under coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans' longest gain was 21 yards.
USC started sluggishly on offense for the third straight week. They trailed Michigan 14-3 at halftime of a 27-24 loss and fell behind Wisconsin 21-10 at the break before rallying to win 38-21.
Taylor lost a fumble at midfield when Kamari Ramsey jarred the ball into the air with 27 seconds left before halftime. The Trojans had just enough time for the tying 54-yard field goal by Michael Lantz, who began his career at Minnesota in 2019 before a back injury temporarily halted it in 2021. He resurfaced at Georgia Southern and transferred to USC.
Lantz missed a 47-yard field goal at the end of the first drive right after Zachariah Branch dropped what would’ve been a first-down catch at the 22. Late in the second quarter, Quinten Joyner lost a fumble at the Minnesota 38 when Perich dislodged the ball.
Robinson's 3-yard touchdown catch with 7:13 left before halftime put USC on the board, just the second passing score against Minnesota this season.
“We’re still putting ourselves in position to win these games,” Riley said. “We need to make one more play to push ourselves over the hump.”
Minnesota welcomed USC with a kickoff temperature of 71 degrees, the warmest October game for the Gophers in 16 seasons. This was a night game, too, topping the afternoon start against Rutgers (66 degrees) on Oct. 29, 2022, that was the previous high for the month.
The Trojans will undoubtedly drop in the next round of AP rankings that will be released on Sunday, likely at least five or so spots.
USC: Awareness and discipline ought to be on the to-do list for this week. The Trojans took eight penalties for 59 yards, including an unnecessary roughness call on Easton Mascarenas-Arnold for body slamming Perich during a punt return in the fourth quarter that jump-started Minnesota's game-winning drive with an extra 15 yards.
Minnesota: Fleck ended his postgame news conference two weeks ago after a dispiriting loss to rival Iowa by imploring fans not to give up on this team. The Gophers nearly rallied to beat Michigan last week with a 21-point fourth quarter, only to have an onside kick recovery with 1:37 left negated by a dubious offside penalty in a 27-24 loss.
“We’ve played some really good football teams and came out on some short ends, but this team has been resilient," Fleck said. "They’re tough. They learn from those mistakes. They learn from those times.”
USC: Hosts Penn State next Saturday. The Trojans and Nittany Lions, who were ranked seventh in the latest AP poll, last met in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, in a 52-49 victory by USC.
Minnesota: Plays at UCLA next Saturday night. The Gophers last played the Bruins in 1978.
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W. Marks
4 RB 134 RuYds, RuTD, 30 ReYds, 4 RECs |
|
M. Brosmer
16 QB 169 PaYds, 14 RuYds, 3 RuTDs |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 21 | 21 |
Rushing | 7 | 10 |
Passing | 12 | 7 |
Penalty | 2 | 4 |
3rd Down Conv | 7-11 | 2-8 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 2-2 |
Total Net Yards | 382 | 362 |
Total Plays | 66 | 59 |
Avg Gain | 5.8 | 6.1 |
Net Yards Rushing | 182 | 193 |
Rush Attempts | 28 | 40 |
Avg Rush Yards | 6.5 | 4.8 |
Yards Passing | 200 | 169 |
Comp. - Att. | 23-38 | 15-19 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.1 | 8.2 |
Penalties - Yards | 8-68 | 4-50 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-1 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 2-56.0 | 3-35.7 |
Return Yards | 0 | 3 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 1-3 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 2-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
M. Moss
7 QB
|
M. Moss | 23/38 | 200 | 1 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
W. Marks
4 RB
|
W. Marks | 20 | 134 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Joyner
0 RB
|
Q. Joyner | 4 | 44 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Jackson
21 RB
|
B. Jackson | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Branch
1 WR
|
Z. Branch | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Moss
7 QB
|
M. Moss | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Hudson
10 WR
|
K. Hudson | 6 | 5 | 54 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Robinson
2 WR
|
D. Robinson | 6 | 4 | 39 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Lemon
6 WR
|
M. Lemon | 4 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Marks
4 RB
|
W. Marks | 4 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Ford
81 WR
|
K. Ford | 2 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Lane
8 WR
|
J. Lane | 8 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Branch
1 WR
|
Z. Branch | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Thompkins
98 DT
|
D. Thompkins | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Ramsey
7 S
|
K. Ramsey | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. Lantz
96 K
|
M. Lantz | 1/2 | 54 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
E. Czaplicki
16 P
|
E. Czaplicki | 2 | 56.0 | 1 | 62 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
M. Brosmer
16 QB
|
M. Brosmer | 15/19 | 169 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Taylor
1 RB
|
D. Taylor | 25 | 144 | 0 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Major
24 RB
|
M. Major | 7 | 37 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Brosmer
16 QB
|
M. Brosmer | 7 | 14 | 3 | 9 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Taylor
1 RB
|
D. Taylor | 5 | 5 | 56 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
9 WR
|
D. Jackson | 6 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Major
24 RB
|
M. Major | 2 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Brockington
0 WR
|
L. Brockington | 1 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Spencer
11 WR
|
E. Spencer | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Driver
4 WR
|
C. Driver | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Geers
86 TE
|
J. Geers | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Nubin
27 RB
|
J. Nubin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
K. Perich
3 DB
|
K. Perich | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Joyner
17 DL
|
J. Joyner | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
9 LB
|
D. Williams | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
D. Kesich
99 K
|
D. Kesich | 1/1 | 32 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Crawford
96 P
|
M. Crawford | 3 | 35.7 | 3 | 38 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Perich
3 DB
|
K. Perich | 1 | 18.0 | 18 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Perich 3 DB
|
K. Perich | 1 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | USC 25 | 5:35 | 11 | 45 | FG Miss |
6:41 | USC 10 | 1:17 | 3 | 3 | Punt |
0:05 | USC 25 | 7:52 | 15 | 75 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
4:05 | USC 25 | 2:14 | 5 | 49 | Fumble |
0:27 | USC 47 | 0:27 | 4 | 16 | FG |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:50 | USC 9 | 7:03 | 12 | 91 | TD |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:48 | USC 4 | 4:37 | 8 | 61 | INT |
7:08 | USC 25 | 0:56 | 3 | 6 | Punt |
0:59 | USC 25 | 0:47 | 7 | 47 | INT |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
9:25 | MINN 30 | 2:44 | 5 | 24 | Punt |
5:24 | MINN 37 | 5:19 | 9 | 49 | FG |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
7:13 | MINN 25 | 3:08 | 7 | 75 | TD |
1:51 | MINN 26 | 1:24 | 4 | 27 | Fumble |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | MINN 25 | 2:10 | 4 | 28 | Punt |
5:47 | MINN 18 | 5:59 | 12 | 45 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:11 | MINN 35 | 3:03 | 6 | 65 | TD |
6:12 | MINN 25 | 5:16 | 12 | 75 | TD |
0:09 | MINN 10 | 0:09 | 1 | -2 | Game |
- Missed FG (11 plays, 45 yards, 5:35 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) D.Kesich kicks 65 yards from MIN 35 to the USC End Zone. Touchback. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 25 (15:00 - 1st) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by J.Lane for 6 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 31. |
No Gain | 2 & 4 - USC 31 (14:33 - 1st) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by W.Marks for 0 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 31. |
+7 YD | 3 & 4 - USC 31 (13:54 - 1st) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by J.Lane for 7 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 38. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 38 (13:22 - 1st) W.Marks rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 44. |
+5 YD | 2 & 4 - USC 44 (12:51 - 1st) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by K.Hudson for 5 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 49. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 49 (12:16 - 1st) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by K.Ford for 7 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 44. |
+9 YD | 2 & 3 - MINN 44 (11:40 - 1st) Q.Joyner rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 35. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 35 (11:02 - 1st) Q.Joyner rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 29. |
-1 YD | 2 & 4 - MINN 29 (10:22 - 1st) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by Z.Branch for -1 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 30. |
No Gain | 3 & 5 - MINN 30 (9:36 - 1st) M.Moss steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for Z.Branch. |
No Good | 4 & 5 - MINN 37 (9:31 - 1st) M.Lantz 47 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-H.Pepper Holder-E.Czaplicki. |
- Punt (5 plays, 24 yards, 2:44 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 30 (9:25 - 1st) M.Brosmer pass complete. Catch made by D.Taylor for 4 yards. Tackled by USC at MIN 34. |
+17 YD | 2 & 6 - MINN 34 (8:50 - 1st) D.Taylor rushed for 17 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 49. |
-2 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 49 (8:18 - 1st) D.Taylor rushed for -2 yards. Tackled by USC at MIN 49. |
+5 YD | 2 & 12 - MINN 49 (7:41 - 1st) M.Major rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 46. |
No Gain | 3 & 7 - USC 46 (6:59 - 1st) M.Brosmer steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Spencer. |
Punt | 4 & 7 - USC 46 (6:50 - 1st) M.Crawford punts 36 yards to USC 10 Center-R.Algrim. Out of bounds. |
- Punt (3 plays, 3 yards, 1:17 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
-3 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 10 (6:41 - 1st) W.Marks rushed for -3 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 7. |
+6 YD | 2 & 13 - USC 7 (6:07 - 1st) W.Marks rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 13. |
No Gain | 3 & 7 - USC 13 (5:41 - 1st) M.Moss steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for K.Hudson. |
Punt | 4 & 7 - USC 13 (5:35 - 1st) E.Czaplicki punts 50 yards to MIN 37 Center-H.Pepper. Downed by J.Smith. |
- Field Goal (9 plays, 49 yards, 5:19 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 37 (5:24 - 1st) D.Taylor rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by USC at MIN 40. |
+10 YD | 2 & 7 - MINN 40 (4:51 - 1st) M.Brosmer pass complete. Catch made by E.Spencer for 10 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 50. |
+12 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 50 (4:14 - 1st) M.Major rushed for 12 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 38. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 38 (3:33 - 1st) D.Taylor rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 31. |
+9 YD | 2 & 3 - USC 31 (2:56 - 1st) D.Taylor rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 22. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - USC 22 (2:21 - 1st) M.Brosmer scrambles for 4 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 18. |
-1 YD | 2 & 6 - USC 18 (1:41 - 1st) M.Major rushed for -1 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 19. |
+5 YD | 3 & 7 - USC 19 (0:51 - 1st) D.Taylor rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 14. |
Field Goal | 4 & 2 - USC 22 (0:14 - 1st) D.Kesich 32 yard field goal attempt is good Center-R.Algrim Holder-M.Crawford. |
- Touchdown (15 plays, 75 yards, 7:52 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (0:05 - 1st) D.Kesich kicks 65 yards from MIN 35 to the USC End Zone. Touchback. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - USC 25 (0:05 - 1st) M.Moss steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Robinson. |
+7 YD | 2 & 10 - USC 25 (15:00 - 2nd) W.Marks rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 32. |
+4 YD | 3 & 3 - USC 32 (14:16 - 2nd) W.Marks rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 36. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - USC 36 (13:37 - 2nd) M.Moss steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for USC. |
+7 YD | 2 & 10 - USC 36 (13:31 - 2nd) W.Marks rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by MIN at USC 43. |
+12 YD | 3 & 3 - USC 43 (12:51 - 2nd) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by K.Hudson for 12 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 45. |
+13 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 45 (12:14 - 2nd) W.Marks rushed for 13 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 32. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - MINN 32 (11:40 - 2nd) M.Moss steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for Z.Branch. |
+6 YD | 2 & 10 - MINN 32 (11:34 - 2nd) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by D.Robinson for 6 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 26. |
+10 YD | 3 & 4 - MINN 26 (10:47 - 2nd) W.Marks rushed for 10 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 16. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 16 (10:12 - 2nd) B.Jackson rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 14. |
+6 YD | 2 & 8 - MINN 14 (9:35 - 2nd) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by W.Marks for 6 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 8. |
+3 YD | 3 & 2 - MINN 8 (8:56 - 2nd) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by M.Lemon for 3 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 5. |
+2 YD | 1 & Goal - MINN 5 (8:01 - 2nd) W.Marks rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by MIN at MIN 3. |
+3 YD | 2 & Goal - MINN 3 (7:21 - 2nd) M.Moss pass complete. Catch made by D.Robinson for 3 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (7:13 - 2nd) M.Lantz extra point is good. |
- Touchdown (7 plays, 75 yards, 3:08 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (7:13 - 2nd) M.Lantz kicks 65 yards from USC 35 to the MIN End Zone. Touchback. |
+10 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 25 (7:13 - 2nd) M.Brosmer pass complete. Catch made by D.Jackson for 10 yards. Tackled by USC at MIN 35. PENALTY on USC-B.Shelby Defensive Offside 5 yards declined. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - MINN 35 (6:55 - 2nd) M.Major rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by USC at MIN 42. |
+40 YD | 2 & 3 - MINN 42 (6:16 - 2nd) D.Taylor rushed for 40 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 18. PENALTY on USC-M.Cobb Face Mask (15 Yards) 9 yards accepted. |
+2 YD | 1 & Goal - USC 9 (6:01 - 2nd) D.Taylor rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 7. |
Penalty | 2 & Goal - USC 7 (5:18 - 2nd) M.Brosmer steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Jackson. PENALTY on USC-J.Covington Defensive Pass Interference 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
-5 YD | 1 & Goal - USC 2 (5:14 - 2nd) D.Taylor rushed for -5 yards. Tackled by USC at USC 7. |