USC secures bowl eligibility with 19-13 win over crosstown rival UCLA at Rose Bowl

Across Los Angeles, friends and family members are divided over school loyalty as crosstown rivals USC and UCLA battle it out at the Rose Bowl.

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PASADENA, Calif. -- Jayden Maiava threw for 221 yards and a crucial 4-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Kobi Lane midway through the fourth quarter, as USC rallied to defeat UCLA 19-13 in the 94th Crosstown Showdown at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.

Woody Marks contributed 76 rushing yards, and Michael Lantz delivered four field goals to help the Trojans (6-5, 4-5 Big Ten) secure bowl eligibility. It marked the fifth consecutive year the visiting team has claimed victory in this storied rivalry, with USC winning 19 of the last 26 meetings.

Key Plays

On first-and-goal from UCLA's 4-yard line, Maiava avoided a sack by Jacob Busic, scrambled left, and found Lane in the back corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. The score was set up by a 39-yard trick play on the previous snap, where Makai Lemon threw a lateral to Kyron Hudson, who made a spectacular catch to bring the Trojans deep into UCLA territory.

Maiava finished the game completing 19 of 35 passes. On UCLA's next possession, Ethan Garbers was stopped on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 at the Bruins' 34-yard line, turning the ball over on downs. Lantz later extended USC’s lead to 19-13 with his fourth field goal of the game.

The Bruins had one last chance but failed to capitalize, as Garbers’ four straight incomplete passes sealed their fate.

First Half Highlights

UCLA took an early 3-0 lead on Mateen Bhaghani’s 51-yard field goal after a replay overturned what initially appeared to be a fumble by Garbers, ruling the play an incomplete pass. USC struggled to finish drives, settling for three field goals by Lantz despite driving inside UCLA’s 10-yard line three times in the first half.

UCLA faced a rare penalty situation just before halftime, incurring three unsportsmanlike conduct calls that forced them to kick off from their own 5-yard line to start the second half.

Second Half Momentum Swings

UCLA took a 10-9 lead with 9:37 left in the third quarter when Garbers connected with Moliki Matavao on a 10-yard tight end screen for a touchdown. The Bruins extended their lead to 13-9 late in the third quarter on Bhaghani's second field goal. However, USC’s late heroics, capped by Maiava's touchdown to Lane, swung the game in their favor.

The Takeaway

• USC: The Trojans improved to 3-5 in one-possession games, showing resilience in another tightly contested matchup.
• UCLA: The Bruins dropped their second straight game, ending their hopes of bowl eligibility.

What’s Next

• USC: Hosts No. 6 Notre Dame next Saturday in a high-profile clash.
• UCLA: Welcomes Fresno State next Saturday as they look to end their season on a positive note.