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LOS ANGELES — In a battle of Big Ten blue bloods, Southern California emerges on top.
The Trojans offense was too powerful for No. 15 Michigan, beating the Wolverines 31-13 for a much-needed signature win for Lincoln Riley.
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With running back Justice Hayes, Michigan entered the night one of the best rushing teams in the country, and one of the best at stopping it. But in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Wolverines had no answer for the Trojans rushing attack.
USC ran for 225 yards while Hayes was limited to just 51 yards on the ground. The team finished with only 109 rushing yards, limiting the Wolverines in their ability to move the ball down the field. Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava continued to sling the ball across the field, finishing for 265 yards on 25-of-32 passing with two touchdowns and an interception.
The Week 7 contest had major implications as both teams needed a statement win not only to prove they are Big Ten contenders, but worthy of being in the College Football Playoff discussion. Signature wins have eluded Riley for much of his tenure at USC, but he finally gets one with a top 15 victory.
Not only does USC get revenge for its road loss against Michigan in 2024, but it gets its first non-Rose Bowl Game victory over the Wolverines — Michigan was 3-0 in the series history when they played during the regular season.
USC moves to 5-1 on the season and could see itself make an appearance in the US LBM Coaches Poll. It could add another resume booster next week with a visit to rival Notre Dame. Michigan drops to 4-2 and chances to pick up solid wins are starting to dwindle for the Wolverines.
USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check them out:
USC vs Michigan live score
| TEAMS | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | FINAL |
| Michigan | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| USC | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
USC vs Michigan live updates
USC closing in on win with another touchdown
The Trojans can smell a top-15 victory with another touchdown to push the lead to 18 points. Bryan Jackson breaks through for a 29-yard touchdown to make it 31-13 Trojans with just under five minutes left.
Michigan gets quick touchdown
The Wolverines need to score quickly to get back in this game, and they get one with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Andrew Marsh. However, Michigan goes for the 2-point conversation and it's unsuccessful, leaving it a 24-13 USC lead with just over nine minutes left.
USC makes 54-yard field goal
It's now a three-score game after USC kicker Ryon Sayeri makes a 54-yard field goal that just gets over the crossbar. Michigan now trails 24-7 with 10 minutes left.
End of 3Q: USC 21, Michigan 7
An entertaining third quarter ends with USC in possession with a chance to put the game out of reach. A sensational rushing drive provided the Trojans a score early in the third quarter, and both teams traded interceptions in the frame.
USC picks up interception
Just when Michigan looks like it's about to be back in the game, the Wolverines turn it over. Bryce Underwood is picked off in Trojan territory by Bishop Fitzgerald, who returns it to the USC 22-yard line and ends Michigan's chance to score.
Michigan gets critical interception
Just when it looks like USC is about to pull away, Michigan gets a huge stop. Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry intercepts Jayden Maiava at the Michigan 4-yard line with five minutes left in the third quarter to prevent the Trojans from scoring and possibly putting this game out of reach.
USC extends lead with touchdown
King Miller did it all for the Trojans on their opening drive of the second half, scoring a 15-yard touchdown to push the USC lead to 21-7.
The critical play on the drive came after an unsportsmanlike conduct on Makai Lemon resulted in a 3-and-26 for USC at its own 32-yard line. The Trojans ran the ball with Miller, who broke through the middle of the field for a 49-yard gain to miraculously keep the drive alive.
Two plays later, Miller runs it in for the score, accounting for 68 yards on the drive.
USC vs Michigan second half underway
The Wolverines go three-and-out to start the second half.
Halftime: USC 14, Michigan 7
A touchdown just before halftime gives the Trojans a touchdown lead at the midway point of the contest.
USC scores touchdown just before halftime
USC receiver Makai Lemon makes an incredible touchdown catch to give the Trojans the lead. He is able to haul in a 12-yard pass to make it 14-7 with 14 seconds left in the first half.
Michigan scores touchdown, ties game
The Wolverines are finally on the board. Bryce Underwood finds Donaven McCulley across the endzone for an 8-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
Michigan put up its best drive of the day with a 14-play, 86-yard march in just over six minutes. Much of the damage was done on the ground, something the Wolverines excel at.
USC sack forces Michigan punt
Michigan gets into USC territory for the first time, but is unable to turn it into points. On a third down at the Trojan 32-yard line, Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood gets sacked for a loss of 11 yards, resulting in a Michigan punt.
End of 1Q: USC 7, Michigan 0
The Trojans lead by a touchdown after the first 15 minutes of the contest.
USC went right down the field on its opening drive while Michigan went three-and-out afterward. The Trojans were again in position to score but a costly fumble in the red zone spoiled a promising drive. Now, the Wolverines are in Trojan territory with some momentum.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has been on fire with 101 yards and a touchdown on 10 of 11 passing. The Trojans are outgunned the Wolverines 138-52.
USC fumbles in red zone
Just when it looks like the Trojans are close to scoring, tight end Lake McRee fumbles the ball at the Michigan 12-yard line. The turnover happened as Lyons was putting the finishing touches on what would've been a 21-yard gain and set USC up for a chance to make it a double-digit game.
McRee was questionable to play but started the game.
USC opens game with touchdown
The Trojans march right down the field with an 11-play, six-minute drive that’s capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava to Ja’Kobi Lane to take an early 7-0 lead.
Maiava was perfect on the drive, going 4-for-4 for 46 yards.
USC to receive to start game
Michigan wins the coin toss and defers to the second half.
What time does USC vs Michigan start?
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 11
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
USC and Michigan will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
What TV channel is USC vs Michigan on today?
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock | Fubo (free trial)
USC and Michigan will air nationally on NBC in Week 7 of the 2025 college football season. Streaming options include Peacock ― NBC's streaming platform ― and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Stream Michigan vs. USC on Peacock
USC vs Michigan predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 9.
- Spread: USC (-2.5)
- Over/under: 56.5
- Moneyline: USC (-130) ∣ Michigan (+105)
- Prediction: USC 24, Michigan 20 − The Trojan offense isn't as explosive, but the defense steps up to make life difficult for Bryce Underwood to pick up a signature win at home.
USC vs Michigan injury updates
Michigan
- Brady Norton, OL - questionable
USC
- Elijah Paige, OL - questionable
- Lake McRee, TE - questionable
- Alex Graham, CB - questionable
Michigan schedule 2025
Here is Michigan's schedule and results.
- Game 1: vs. New Mexico (W, 34-17)
- Game 2: at Oklahoma (L, 24-13)
- Game 3: vs. Michigan (W, 63-3)
- Game 4: at Nebraska (W, 30-27)
- Game 5: vs. Wisconsin (W, 24-10)
- Game 6: at USC
- Game 7: vs. Washington
- Game 8: at Michigan State
- Game 9: vs. Purdue
- Game 10: at Northwestern
- Game 11: at Maryland
- Game 12: vs. Ohio State
USC schedule 2025
- Game 1: vs. Missouri State (W, 73-13)
- Game 2: vs. Georgia Southern (W, 59-20)
- Game 3: at Purdue (W, 33-17)
- Game 4: vs. Michigan State (W, 45-31)
- Game 5: at Illinois (L, 34-32)
- Game 6: vs. Michigan
- Game 7: at Notre Dame
- Game 8: at Nebraska
- Game 9: vs. Northwestern
- Game 10: vs. Iowa
- Game 11: at Oregon
- Game 12: vs. UCLA
Michigan uniforms vs USC
Michigan football will break out the “big game blues” against USC. The Wolverines uniform for the contest includes the traditional blue helmet, white jersey and blue pants. The pants are typically reserved for the biggest games of the season.
USC vs Michigan history
Saturday’s meeting will be the 12th time the Trojans and Wolverines meet on the gridiron. USC owns a 6-5 advantage in the series.
Of the previous 11 meetings, eight have taken place in the Rose Bowl Game. When meeting in the regular season, Michigan is 3-0 against USC, including last season’s 27-24 victory in Ann Arbor.
JuJu Watkins leads USC onto field
A star Trojan led the football team onto the field as women's basketball guard JuJu Watkins emerged from the tunnel with USC. The star won't play in the upcoming 2025-26 season as she recovers from an ACL injury, but she still is supporting her university.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC vs Michigan football score, highlights, updates from Trojans' win vs Wolverines
Reporting by Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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