Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) carries the ball against UCLA Bruins linebacker Isaiah Chisom (32) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

LOS ANGELES — The victory bell stays with Southern California.

The Trojans overcame some early offensive struggles and its defense stood strong to beat crosstown rival UCLA 29-10 in the regular season finale.

After trailing 10-7 at halftime, USC’s defense prevented UCLA from scoring again, and the offense scored a touchdown in the final seconds of the third quarter to give them back the lead. The Trojans then added a few more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to slam the door shut and prevent a comeback.

USC Jayden Maiava finished with 257 passing yards and two touchdowns, and running back King Miller added 124 yards on the ground and a score. UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava had 200 passing yards and a touchdown pass.

The win is USC’s second consecutive against its rival, the first time it has won back-to-back contests in the series since 2019-20. USC finishes the regular season 9-3, its best season since 2022. Unlikely to make the College Football Playoff, the Trojans now await to see what bowl game they will play in.

On the other hand, UCLA ends the season with five straight losses to finish with a 3-9 record. It's the second straight losing season and the Bruins now turn their attention to hiring a new coach for 2026.

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USC vs UCLA score

TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
UCLA 0 10 0 0 10
USC 7 0 7 15 29

USC vs UCLA live updates

USC adds late touchdown

USC puts the stamp on this one with a 41-yard touchdown run from King Miller to make it a 29-10 game with just under 2:30 left. The Trojans run some trickery on the 2-point conversion and it works.

USC stops UCLA on fourth down

This one may be wrapped up.

USC stops UCLA from making it a one-score game, stopping the Bruins on fourth down with less than five minutes to go. The Bruins committed several penalties that hurt the drive, and on a 4th-and-15 near midfield, UCLA can't convert.

USC extends fourth-quarter lead

The Trojans are getting close to pulling away from UCLA. USC adds another touchdown to make it 21-10 with just under 12 minutes left in the game. Jayden Maiava floats the ball to tight end Lake McRee for a 2-yard touchdown pass.

UCLA had an interception on the opening play of the drive, but it was called back after it committed roughing the passer and pass interference on the play. Four players later, USC was in the end zone.

End of 3Q: USC 14, UCLA 10

A late touchdown in the third quarter gave USC the lead back and it’s in front 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

After both teams went three-and-out on their opening drives of the second half, UCLA got into USC’s side of the field but was forced to punt. USC then went 91 yards down the field on 10 plays, capped off by a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava to Makai Lemon.

The Bruins open the fourth quarter with the ball.

USC retakes lead with touchdown

The Trojans are back in front, and star receiver Makai Lemon is responsible. He hauls in a 32-yard touchdown reception from Jayden Maiava to make it USC 14-10 with just 25 seconds left in the third quarter.

Both teams punt on opening drive of 3Q

It's three-and-out for UCLA and USC with both side trading punts to start the second half.

Halftime: UCLA 10, USC 7

It's a bit of a surprise at halftime with UCLA holding a three-point lead over USC at the half.

The Trojans are out-gaining their rival 193-140, but the big difference has been on special teams. USC has missed two field goal attempts while the Bruins converted their one attempt just before halftime.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava has thrown for 149 yards, but his star receivers have been held in check. Ja'Kobi Lane has just one catch for 12 yards and Makai Lemon doesn't have a reception yet.

Meanwhile, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava has paced the Bruin offense with 66 passing yards and a touchdown pass along with 20 rushing yards.

UCLA takes lead with field goal

The Bruins were able to get into USC territory with some key third-down conversions, but they get stopped at the USC 20-yard line. Kicker Mateen Bhaghani hits a 38-yard field goal and UCLA has its first lead of the game at 10-7 with less than 25 second left in the half.

USC misses another field goal

The Trojans get deep into UCLA territory but again are unable to score. Kicker Ryon Sayeri misses a 30-yard field goal to the right, his second miss of the night. It remains a tied game with less than six minutes to go in the first half.

UCLA ties it with touchdown

The Bruins offense puts together a long, 13-play drive that takes up nearly eight minutes to score a touchdown and make it 7-7.

On a third down at the 2-yard line, Nico Iamaleava finds Kwazi Gilmer for the score.

End of 1Q: USC 7, UCLA 0

The Trojans scored a touchdown on their opening drive and that remains the lone score of the first 15 minutes. USC had a chance to add another score with a field goal but it was blocked.

USC has controlled the game so far with 132 yards while UCLA only has 47, but the Bruins are in Trojan territory to start the second quarter.

USC field goal gets blocked

After forcing UCLA to a three-and-out on its opening drive, the Trojans get into Bruin territory but are unable to get another touchdown. USC stalls and attempts a field goal, but Ryon Sayeri's 38-yard attempt gets blocked by UCLA to keep it a 7-0 game.

USC opens game with touchdown

The Trojans march right down the field on their opening drive with running back King Miller punching it in for a 5-yard score. USC used 10 plays to go 75 yards down the field to get the game's scoring started.

What TV channel is USC vs UCLA on today?

  • TV: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock

USC vs. UCLA will air nationally on NBC. Streaming options include Peacock, NBCUniversal's subscription streaming platform.

USC vs UCLA start time

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 29
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
  • Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles)

USC vs. UCLA is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. PT) from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

How to watch college football on NBC without Fubo

NBC is currently not available on Fubo due to a carrier dispute. One way college football fans can stream college football games on NBC is with Peacock, NBCUniversal's subscription streaming platform.

USC vs UCLA predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Nov. 26:

  • Spread: USC (-21.5)
  • Over/under: 59.5
  • Moneyline: USC (-2000); UCLA (+1000)

Prediction, Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: USC 45, UCLA 13

UCLA football schedule 2025

  • Saturday, Aug. 30: Utah 43, UCLA 10
  • Saturday, Sept. 6: UNLV 30, UCLA 23
  • Friday, Sept. 12: New Mexico 35, UCLA 10
  • Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
  • Saturday, Sept. 27: Northwestern 17, UCLA 14
  • Saturday, Oct. 4: UCLA 42, Penn State 37
  • Saturday, Oct. 11: UCLA 38, Michigan State 13
  • Saturday, Oct. 18: UCLA 20, Maryland 17
  • Saturday, Oct. 25: Indiana 56, UCLA 6
  • Saturday, Nov. 1: BYE
  • Saturday, Nov. 8: Nebraska 28, UCLA 21
  • Saturday, Nov. 15: Ohio State 48, UCLA 10
  • Saturday, Nov. 22: Washington 48, UCLA 14
  • Saturday, Nov. 29: UCLA at USC | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC

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: Oregon 42, USC 27
  • Saturday, Nov. 29: USC vs. UCLA | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC

Nico Iamaleava injury update

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is questionable to play against USC. Bruins interim coach Tim Skipper told reporters on Monday, Nov. 24 Iamaleava was dealing with neck spasms from an injury he suffered in the loss to Washington in Week 13.

Skipper added Iamaleava was "day-to-day" but was participating in pregame drills with the team.

UCLA injury update

Out

  • Rico Flores Jr, WR
  • Jaivian Thomas, RB
  • Jalen Saint Paul, WR

Questionable

  • Nico Iamaleava, QB
  • Kyle Miller, WR
  • Jack Pedersen, TE

USC injury update

Out

  • Jamaal Jarrett, DT
  • Eli Sanders, RB
  • Anthony Beavers Jr., LB
  • Prophet Brown, CB
  • Bishop Fitzgerald, S
  • Kilian O’Connor, C
  • Elijah Paige, OL

Questionable

  • Waymond Jordan, RB
  • Kamari Ramsey, S
  • Caden Cittenden, K
  • Alani Noa, OL

USC-UCLA rankings

US LBM Coaches poll

  • USC: No. 20
  • UCLA: not ranked

College Football Playoff rankings

  • USC: No. 17
  • UCLA: not ranked

USC vs UCLA history

Saturday’s matchup will be the 95th crosstown showdown between UCLA and USC. The Trojans hold the lead in the series 51-34-7, not including two wins vacated by USC.

USC has controlled the series recently, as it has won seven of the past 10 meetings.

Last USC vs. UCLA game

It was a defensive battle in the 2024 edition of the rivalry game, but USC used a strong fourth quarter to win at the Rose Bowl, 19-13.

The Trojans led 9-3 at halftime off three field goals but the Bruins were up 13-9 heading into the fourth quarter. In the final quarter, USC scored its first touchdown of the night to take the lead and added a field goal in the final minutes. UCLA was then stopped on fourth down to cap off a Trojan victory, their third straight at the Rose Bowl.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 221 yards and a touchdown, while UCLA senior signal-caller Ethan Garbers had 265 passing yards and a touchdown.

USC-UCLA wear home uniforms

It's one of the best uniform matchups in college football as UCLA and USC will face each other while both wear their home uniforms.

It's a nod to when both teams used to call Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum home before UCLA moved to the Rose Bowl in 1982. In 2008, then-USC coach Pete Carroll and then-UCLA coach Karl Dorrell each agreed to bring the tradition back, and both teams have worn their home jerseys in the game ever since.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC vs UCLA highlights: Trojans power past Bruins in rivalry showdown

Reporting by Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect