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Oregon vs. USC score: Bo Nix explodes as No. 6 Ducks hold off late charge from Trojans in Pac-12 showdown

Oregon moved one step closer to the Pac-12 title game with the win over USC on Saturday

No. 6 Oregon survived a late comeback bid from USC on Saturday as the Ducks moved one step closer toward a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game with the 36-27 win over the Trojans. 

Oregon (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) used a handful of explosive plays through the air from star quarterback Bo Nix to exploit a USC defense that was playing without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired one day after giving up 52 points in a loss to Washington last week. Nix finished with 402 yards passing and four touchdowns in the win. If the Ducks run the table, a much-anticipated rematch with No. 5 Washington is likely for the Pac-12 crown. 

USC (7-4, 5-3), meanwhile, is officially eliminated from Pac-12 title contention by virtue of its third conference loss. 

  • USC coach Lincoln Riley suffered his fourth regular-season loss this season. Coming into 2023, he had never lost more than two games during a regular season.
  • The Ducks recorded 16 total sacks last season, but now have 31 in 2023 after the three recorded against USC on Saturday.
  • Oregon has now won six of the last seven matchups in the series.
  • USC star quarterback Caleb Williams finished the night 19-of-34 passing for 291 yards and a touchdown. Williams has thrown only eight touchdown passes during his last six starts.

CBS Sports was with you throughout the game providing live updates, highlights and analysis. Read on below to relive all the action between the Ducks and Trojans on Saturday. 

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Live updates
 

Oregon survives comeback late bid

Final: No. 6 Oregon 36, USC 27

No. 6 Oregon survived a late comeback bid from USC on Saturday as the Ducks moved one step closer toward a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game with the 36-27 win over the Trojans. 

Oregon (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) used a handful of explosive plays through the air from star quarterback Bo Nix to exploit a USC defense that was playing without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired one day after giving up 52 points in a loss to Washington last week. Nix finished with 402 yards passing and four touchdowns in the win. If the Ducks run the table, a much-anticipated rematch with No. 5 Washington is likely for the Pac-12 crown.
 

USC responds

Late 4Q: No. 6 Oregon 36, USC 27

We have a ball game in Eugene, Oregon. After the Ducks missed a potential game-sealing field goal, the Trojans marched right down the field and capped the drive with a rushing score from Austin Jones. USC missed the ensuing 2-point conversion and failed at the onside kick attempt.

 

Oregon can't close the door

Mid 4Q: No. 6 Oregon 36, USC 21

The Trojans aren't done, yet. After Oregon missed a 41-yard field goal that would've made it a three possession game with 6:27 remaining, kicker Camden Lewis missed wide right. Caleb Williams and the Trojans will have to work quickly to pull off an improbable comeback win.

 

USC answers

Early 4Q: No. 6 Oregon 36, USC 21

USC has life. After the Trojans had their drive extended on fourth-and-long after a defensive pass interference was called, it resulted in a 9-yard pitch and catch from Williams to Brenden Rice. The Trojans will need to make a play on defense in order to stay in the game. A loss eliminates the Trojans from Pac-12 title contention.

 

Irving starts the 4th quarter with a bang

Early 4Q: No. 6 Oregon 36, USC 14

Oregon running back Bucky Irving may have put this game away for good. On the opening play of the fourth quarter, the Ducks ran a fly sweep for the speedy running back and he went 19-yards to the house for a touchdown. The Ducks have 469 yards of total offense and they're averaging an eye popping 9.8 yards per play against a lackluster USC defense.
 

Oregon forces turnover

Late 3Q: No. 6 Oregon 29, USC 14

The offensive woes continue to mount up for USC. After the Trojans recovered their own fumble in the first half, they couldn't have the same fortune this time around. Williams handed the ball to running back Austin Jones and couldn't complete the exchange. The Ducks will now have a chance to extend their lead with favorable field position.

 

Oregon, USC exchange punts

Late 3Q: No. 6 Oregon 29, USC 14

After the Ducks opened the second half with a long touchdown drive, both teams traded punts. The Trojans will get the ball back down by two scores in the final minutes of the third quarter. USC has been held to 5.36 yards per play tonight and will need to dial up some chunk plays to get back in this one. 

A positive update on the Oregon front is Bucky Irving was back on the field during the Ducks last drive. He appeared to roll his ankle and looked to be in some serious pain.

 

Oregon opens second half with impressive drive

Early 3Q: No. 6 Oregon 29, USC 14

The Ducks opened the second half with an impressive 13-play, 85-yard drive that was capped with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Tez Johnson, but it came at a cost. Oregon star running back Bucky Irving was seen on the broadcast needing assistance to the bench with an apparent ankle injury. While Irving was blocking, his ankle got rolled up on a USC defender. His status will be something to monitor.

 

Big plays from Oregon help build halftime lead

Halftime: No. 6 Oregon 22, USC 14

Stop me if you have heard this before: The USC defense is allowing big plays, chunk yards and looks out of position. It appears the Trojans' issues on defense root deeper than just former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired last week after his unit gave up 52 points in a loss to Washington, as it gave up two long Bo Nix touchdown passes from yielded 330 total yards in the first half as No. 6 Oregon took a 22-14 lead into the break. 

Thankfully for the Trojans, they put together an impressive drive near the end of the half that was capped with a 2-yard touchdown run from star quarterback Caleb Williams to cut the deficit to one possession heading into the locker room. 
 

Rough sequence for Branch, Williams

Late 2Q: Oregon 19, USC 7

Caleb Williams greatest strength is his ability to extend plays with his legs and dance around in the pocket to make something out of nothing. It also can lead to sacks and turnovers. Despite fumbling on first-and-10 inside Oregon territory, his team was able to recover before they were forced to punt four plays later. 

Zachariah Branch elected to take the ball out on Oregon's kickoff and he was tackled at the 8-yard line. Branch also had a critical drop that would've likely become a big gain a few plays later.

 

Oregon capitalizes on USC's mistake

Early 2Q: Oregon 19, USC 7

There was never a doubt that Oregon coach Dan Lanning would go for it on fourth-and-1. He is one of the more aggressive coaches in college football, and it appeared the Trojans defense got a major stop when Bo Nix didn't gain any yards on the fourth-down play ...  until the referee pulled out a yellow flag because a USC player was offsides. That extended the drive and led to a 15-yard touchdown strike from Nix to Terrance Ferguson. Oregon elected to go for another 2-point conversion and failed.

 

USC forced to punt

Late 1Q: Oregon 13, USC 7

It hasn't been a great start for the USC offense outside of the second drive of the game. The Trojans failed to reach Oregon territory on that last drive and on the ensuing punt, USC was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Will the Trojans force a stop for the first time on this drive?

 

Another big play

Mid 1Q: Oregon 13, USC 7

USC should learn where Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin is at all times because he just caught a pass over the middle and sprinted right by multiple USC defenders for a 84-yard touchdown. Nix is 2-of-2 for 161 yards and two touchdowns. That's not a bad start for the Heisman hopeful. The Ducks elected to go for a trick 2-point conversion and failed.
 

Trojans respond

Mid 1Q: Oregon 7, USC 7

After Oregon scored on its second offensive play of the night, the Trojans responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped with a 5-yard touchdown run by MarShawn Lloyd. The USC star running back missed last week's game against Washington due to an undisclosed injury and USC is certainly happy to have him back in action. This is expected to be one of the highest scoring games of the day and the action appears to just be getting started.
 

Oregon strikes first

Early 1Q: Oregon 7, USC 0

The Trojans defense still appears to be an issue even without Grinch calling the plays. On Oregon's second offensive play from scrimmage, Bo Nix connected with Tez Johnson for a 77-yard touchdown to strike first. The Ducks are seeking a return to the Pac-12 title game, and a win over the Trojans would move them one step closer toward that goal.
 

Oregon forces punt

Early 1Q: USC 0, Oregon 0

Here comes the Ducks. On the opening drive of the night, USC reached Oregon territory before stalling on third-and-9. Oregon edge rusher Brandon Dorlus sacked USC quarterback Caleb Williams for a loss and the Trojans punted on the ensuing play. The Ducks pass rush was a major weaknesses in 2022 and that group has looked much improved in Dan Lanning's second season at the helm of the Oregon program.

 

USC defense is shorthanded 

The Trojans are playing their first game without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and that side of the football won't be at full strength against a lethal Oregon offense. USC is expected to be without linebacker Eric Gentry, cornerbacks Jacobe Covington, Ceyair Wright and Jaylin Smith. Top cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace also will be a true game-time decision heading into the marquee matchup.
 

Bo Nix for Heisman?

Saturday night in Eugene will feature reining Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams squaring off against a Heisman hopeful in Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. The former Auburn signal caller has revitalized his career with the Ducks and has the program on the doorstep of a return to the Pac-12 title game. Nix has been spectacular for the Ducks this season. He is the FBS leader with a 78.1% completion rate, which is on track to break the NCAA record set by former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (77.4%). Nix also ranks fourth in passer rating (180.14) and passing touchdowns (25). Nix is still looking for his "Heisman moment" and that could very well happen this weekend if the Ducks get past USC. Nix checked in at No. 1 in the latest quarterback power rankings by CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli:

College Football QB Power Rankings: Bo Nix vaults to No. 1 as Oregon star puts road narrative to bed
Tom Fornelli
 

New start time

Oregon and USC will be starting 15 minutes later than scheduled. The new kick time is 10:45 p.m. EST because of the Oklahoma-West Virginia game running later than normal. We will be witnessing some true Pac-12 after dark action because of the new start time in Eugene.

 

No more Grinch

Following the 52-42 loss to Washington, USC fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after less than two years with the program. The Trojans defense has allowed 44.2 points per game over the last six contests and looked sluggish despite multiple marquee transfer portal additions in the offseason. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom will serve as interim defensive coordinators for the rest of the season. Defensive analyst Taylor Mays, a former USC All-American defensive back, has been promoted to an on-field role as safeties coach to replace Grinch. 

USC fires defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after Trojans allow 52 points in loss to Washington
Shehan Jeyarajah
 

USC vs. Oregon pick

I know this number seems outrageous, but 74 total points seems like a given considering the way these two offenses produce. Like last week against Washington, it's the kind of game that can see three or four touchdowns scored in just a couple of minutes, which is why you don't want any part of the big spread (though the lean would be the underdog Trojans there). Take the over and buckle up for a wild late-night ride. Pick: Over 73.5 -- Chip Patterson

Oregon vs. USC live stream, how to watch, TV channel, prediction, expert picks, kickoff time
Chip Patterson
 

Premier Pac-12 matchup in Eugene

Let's take a trip down memory lane to Week 0 of the college football season. The Trojans were ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25 poll and recorded a blowout win over San Jose State. Eleven weeks later, USC finds themselves unranked heading into a marquee matchup with future Big Ten foe Oregon after losses to Notre Dame, Utah and most recently, Washington. The Ducks have a chance to not only play for a Pac-12 title next month, but receive an invite to the College Football Playoff by running the table. USC can still reach the Pac-12 title game by winning out, but a loss would essentially ends those hopes all together.
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