Michigan Takes First Big Ten Loss of Season at USC

Saturday, October 11

Los Angeles, Calif.

4:30 PM PT

Michigan

4-2 , 2-1

USC

5-1 , 3-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Michigan

USC

Donaven McCulley (Michigan Photography)

10/11/2025 11:10:00 PM | Football

Box Score Notes In the Trenches Podcast: USC Recap Participation PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Los Angeles, Calif. (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)
Score: USC 31, #15 Michigan 13
Records: U-M (4-2, 2-1 B1G), USC (5-1, 3-1 B1G)
Attendance: 75,500
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Washington (Michigan Stadium), Noon (TV: Fox)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan football team fell 31-13 at USC on Saturday night (Oct. 11) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In their first loss in Big Ten play this season, the Wolverines held the Trojans to their season-low point total, but were unable to sustain enough momentum to capture a victory.

Of Bryce Underwood's 207 passing yards (15-of-24 passes completed), Andrew Marsh was on the receiving end of 138 yards over eight receptions in a career-best effort. On the ground, the Wolverines added another 114 yards, largely split between Jordan Marshall (13 rushes for 67 yards) and Justice Haynes (10 rushes for 51 yards), who was limited to just over one quarter of play.

Defensively, U-M allowed 489 total yards (224 rushing, 265 passing) and struggled to contain the Trojans on third down (6-of-12 converted). The Wolverines did force two turnovers for the fourth time in their six games this season.

USC opened the contest at a torrent pace, as it marched off an 11-play touchdown drive, forced a Wolverines three-and-out, and added another 67-yard drive within the first 12 minutes of gameplay. The Trojans' second drive was halted by Jyaire Hill, whose first career forced fumble was recovered by Derrick Moore at the U-M eight-yard line to prevent a Trojans score.

Michigan, unable to capitalize on the turnover, traded punts with USC over the next two drives before putting together a 14-play scoring drive spanning 86 yards and six minutes. The Wolverines rushed the ball on nine of those plays (55 yards) but closed the drive with a touchdown connection through the air between Underwood and Donaven McCulley. The U-M first-year signal caller found his transfer receiver on a crossing route for an eight-yard score to tie the contest with 3:18 remaining in the first half.

The Trojans were swift to respond, connecting on a 12-yard touchdown pass to cap off a three-minute drive to close the first half. The teams entered their respective locker rooms with a 14-7 USC advantage at halftime.

The top offensive unit in the Big Ten (565 yards per game), USC sustained its momentum in the second half through the use of the ground game. The Trojans marked off rushes of 49 and 47 yards over their first two drives of the third quarter and added a 15-yard touchdown run to move ahead by two scores.

The Wolverines held USC from extending its lead further when a diving Zeke Berry intercepted a Jayden Maiava pass at the U-M four-yard line with five minutes remaining in the game's third frame.

On the opposite end of the field, USC intercepted Underwood in the final minute of the third quarter to close a 10-play, 67-yard drive. The Trojans took advantage of the turnover by burning six minutes of clock and extending their lead with a 54-yard field goal.

On the next drive, the Wolverines broke through for their first play of more than 16 yards in the contest, a 69-yard touchdown connection between Underwood and Marsh. A missed two-point try held the deficit at 24-13.

USC closed the game with one more score, a 29-yard rushing touchdown, to close the game, 31-13.

Michigan returns home next Saturday (Oct. 18) for a matchup against Washington at Michigan Stadium. The game is scheduled for a noon kickoff on Fox.