USC vs. California Short Report | Oct 28, 2023
California Memorial Stadium
Berkeley, CA
Oct 28, 2023
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Game Recap
The USC Trojans edged out a thrilling 50-49 victory over the California Golden Bears in a game that saw an array of lead changes and heroic individual performances. The Trojans jumped ahead early with a field goal from Denis Lynch, followed by MarShawn Lloyd’s rushing touchdown, only to be answered by Cal's Jaydn Ott, who stunned the crowd with a 43-yard rushing touchdown.
The game's highlight came in the final quarter, where USC pulled ahead with a drive engineered by Caleb Williams, who was instrumental throughout the game, amassing 369 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing scores. Californian standout Jaydn Ott, with his three rushing touchdowns, led a resilient Golden Bears team that pushed USC to the brink. However, Fernando Mendoza's valiant effort, capped by a late touchdown pass, fell short as Cal's two-point conversion attempt failed. The game, a nail-biter until the final seconds, was a showcase of competitive college football.
Key Plays:
Denis Lynch (USC Trojans)
Denis Lynch opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal, setting the tone early for USC as they grabbed a quick lead.
MarShawn Lloyd (USC Trojans)
MarShawn Lloyd bulled his way into the end zone from 2 yards out to extend the Trojans' lead. His early game success helped set the pace for USC's offense.
Jaydn Ott (California Golden Bears)
Jaydn Ott broke free for a 43-yard rushing touchdown, announcing Cal's arrival in the game's offensive battle.
Austin Jones (USC Trojans)
Austin Jones caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to make it 17-7 for USC, highlighting Williams' efficient playmaking ability.
Jaydn Ott (California Golden Bears)
Jaydn Ott sprinted for a 61-yard rushing touchdown just before the end of the first quarter, bringing Cal level at 17 and showcasing his breakaway speed.
Fernando Mendoza (California Golden Bears)
Fernando Mendoza connected with Trond Grizzell for a 17-yard touchdown pass, giving Cal a 28-17 lead and demonstrating their potent aerial attack.
Caleb Williams (USC Trojans)
Caleb Williams cut into Cal's lead with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, igniting USC's second-half comeback bid.
Caleb Williams (USC Trojans)
Caleb Williams tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Brenden Rice, giving USC a one-point advantage at 29-28, illustrating his clutch performance under pressure.
MarShawn Lloyd (USC Trojans)
MarShawn Lloyd tied the game at 43 with a 9-yard touchdown run, capping a pivotal drive for the Trojans in the final quarter.
Austin Jones (USC Trojans)
Austin Jones seized the lead for USC with a powerful 7-yard touchdown run, putting the Trojans ahead 50-43.
Fernando Mendoza (California Golden Bears)
Fernando Mendoza found Jaivian Thomas for a 13-yard touchdown, bringing Cal within a point of USC. However, their failed two-point conversion attempt sealed their fate.
Standout Players:
Caleb Williams (USC Trojans, QB)
Caleb Williams was a versatile threat, throwing for 369 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for two scores. His leadership in the critical final drives demonstrated his remarkable poise and control.
MarShawn Lloyd (USC Trojans, RB)
MarShawn Lloyd showcased his combination of strength and agility, amassing 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a pivotal run that helped secure the victory.
Fernando Mendoza (California Golden Bears, QB)
Fernando Mendoza was instrumental in keeping Cal competitive, with 292 passing yards and two touchdowns, along with two rushing touchdowns. His late-game efforts nearly resulted in a stunning comeback.
Jaydn Ott (California Golden Bears, RB)
Jaydn Ott was a constant threat to USC's defense, rushing for 153 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating his explosive playmaking ability.
Eric Gentry (USC Trojans, LB)
Eric Gentry's defensive prowess was on full display with multiple key stops and a crucial interception, providing essential support to USC's victory.
References:
USC Trojans vs. California Golden Bears - Final Score - October 28, 2023 | FOX Sports
USC Trojans vs. California Golden Bears | Full Game Highlights - YouTube
USC at Cal — as it happened - Daily Trojan
USC Trojans vs. California Golden Bears Live Score and Stats - October 28, 2023 Gametracker - CBSSports.com
Team
1
2
3
4
T
USC Trojans
17
0
12
21
50
California Golden Bears
14
14
8
13
49
