USC vs. Arizona score: Caleb Williams bails out No. 9 Trojans in triple-overtime thriller

The Trojans stumbled, but ultimately prevailed to stay unbeaten on the year

No. 9 USC got a go-ahead 2-point conversion from reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and stopped Arizona running back DJ Williams on the ensuing 2-point try to escape with a 43-41 triple-overtime win over the Wildcats in a wild late-night affair in Los Angeles. 

Williams turned in his worst individual performance of the season, but the star quarterback made a play when it mattered to keep the Trojans alive in the College Football Playoff race. USC improved to 6-0 and are one of three unbeaten teams remaining in Pac-12 conference play.

USC had a chance to win the game on the final play of regulation, but the Trojans holder bobbled a high snap on the potential game-winning field goal attempt to send the game to overtime. Williams finished the night 14 of 25 for 219 yards but had three rushing touchdowns to spearhead the USC offense.

A week after surviving a near upset loss to Colorado, USC found itself down 17-0 during the first 17 minutes of action before the Trojans scored 14 unanswered points to close the first half. USC went up by eight points early in the fourth quarter before the Wildcats tied the game on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Noah Fifita to star wide receiver Jacob Cowing.

Fifita filled in for injured starting quarterback Jayden de Laura for the second consecutive week against another top-10 opponent. He finished the night 25 of 35 for 303 yards and five touchdowns. Arizona finished with 506 yards of total offense as the defensive woes continue for the Trojans.

The Wildcats are building momentum in the third season of Jedd Fisch's tenure. Arizona played No. 7 Washington closer than any Huskies opponent so far in Fifita's first start last weekend. He helped Arizona nearly overcome an 18-point deficit before the 'Cats fell 31-24 in front of the home crowd in Tucson, Arizona.

USC travels to South Bend next weekend for a nonconference clash with Notre Dame. The Trojans remaining six games feature matchups against USC, Utah, Cal, Washington Oregon and UCLA. Meanwhile, Arizona travels to Pullman, Washington to face Washington State on Saturday.