Southern California roared back from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat Texas A&M 35-31 Friday night in the Las Vegas Bowl.
What was a sleepy game for most of three quarters turned into a high-octane thriller, with USC scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 8 seconds to go.
The Trojans trailed 24-7 with just 20 minutes and 12 seconds left to play. But Jayden Maiava and Co. came alive, scoring 28 points in the final 18:42.
Maiava had completed just six of his 19 pass attempts for 69 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions when USC got the ball back down 24-7. He finished 22-for-39 for 295 yards with four touchdowns and three picks. His first three touchdowns went to Ja’Kobi Lane, who finished with a game-high 127 yards. Kyle Ford caught the game-winner.
USC vs. Texas A&M highlights
Final: USC 35, Texas A&M 31
Trojans win it with 8 seconds to go
USC had crawled all the way back just to see Texas A&M retake the lead with 1:49 to go.
No matter.
The Trojans went 75 yards in 10 plays, quarterback Jayden Maiava throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Kyle Ford with just 8 seconds to go.
Texas A&M 31, USC 28: Aggies jump back in front
After three straight fruitless drives, Texas A&M came up big when it needed to.
Marcel Reed’s 19-yard run capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive that puts the Aggies back in front.
USC 28, Texas A&M 24: Trojans take the lead
USC looked dead in the water after Texas A&M went up 24-7 following Jayden Maiava’s second interception of the game. But it’s been nearly all USC since.
The Trojans forced another Texas A&M three-and-out, then weathered another Maiava interception on the first play of their ensuing drive when Randy Bond missed a 39-yard field goal.
USC put together a great drive, going 79 yards in 10 plays over 5:32, getting into the end zone on a third-and-8 play when Maiava found Ja’Kobi Lane again.
Texas A&M 24, USC 21: Trojans get closer early in fourth
We really spoke too soon.
USC forced a Texas A&M three-and-out then immediately rolled down the field again, covering 66 yards in just 2:51. The eight-play drive ended with a Bryan Jackson touchdown run.
The Trojans are right back in this game and we could be set up for a thrilling finish.
Texas A&M 24, USC 14: Trojans respond
We spoke too soon!
Aided by 30 yards worth of Texas A&M penalties, USC ripped down the field, needing just 1:30 to score. Jayden Maiava connected with Ja’Kobi Lane on a 17-yard touchdown USC just had to have.
Texas A&M turns interception into more points
This one might be close to over.
Marcel Reed threw his third touchdown of the game to put the Aggies up 24-7 just three plays after Cashius Howell’s spectacular interception set up a short field.
While it was a great play by Howell, USC QB Jayden Maiava is really struggling; he’s just 6-for-19 for 69 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Texas A&M scores, up 14-7 over USC
Texas A&M is back in front. The Aggies marched down the field to open the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl with an eight-play, 76-yard drive that was capped by receiver Noah Thomas’ 5-yard touchdown. It marked Thomas’ second score of the game.
Halftime: USC 7, Texas A&M 7
It’s all tied up at halftime, 7-7. USC had the opportunity to head into the locker room with its first lead of the game, but Trojans kicker Michael Lantz missed a 39-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed completed 11 of 21 passes for 99 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also had four carries for 14 yards. Receiver Jahdae Walker has three catches for 49 yards.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava completed six of 14 passes for 69 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Running back Bryan Johnson has nine carries for 43 yards. USC has only been able to convert 1-of-6 third downs.
USC picks off Marcel Reed, ties it up 7-7
Texas A&M appeared to have all the momentum on its side after quarterback Marcel Reed threw a 40-yard completion to receiver Jahdae Walker to set up the Aggies at USC’s 37-yard line. Three plays later — all runs— the Aggies were on the Trojans’ 13-yard line. Reed attempted a pass to receiver Noah Thomas, but the ball was tipped and intercepted in the end zone by USC safety Akili Arnold, marking Reed’s second interception of the night.
USC was able to convert the takeaway into points to tie the game 7-7. Trojans receiver Ja’Kobi Lane caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Maiava, making a defender miss en route to the end zone.
Texas A&M on the board, leads 7-0
USC and Texas A&M’s opening drives in the Las Vegas Bowl were on opposite ends of the spectrum. While the Trojans had a quick three-and-out on their first possession of the game, the Aggies marched all the way down the field on their opening drive to score. The 16-play drive took a little over seven minutes off the clock.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed connected with receiver Noah Thomas for a 7-yard touchdown. The Aggies kept their drive alive with a key fourth down conversion at USC’s 20-yard line to get into the red zone.
When is the Las Vegas Bowl between Texas A&M and USC?
The Las Vegas Bowl game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Southern California Trojans kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
How to watch Texas A&M and USC in the Las Vegas Bowl
The Las Vegas Bowl game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Southern California Trojans will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Catch college football bowl games on Fubo
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
