LINCOLN, Neb. -- When the No. 23 USC Trojans desperately needed a road win, a season marred by the shortcomings of having successful stretches on the road, they secured it Saturday night against the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a gritty 21-17 victory in Lincoln. The victory itself wasn't pretty, with both sides of the ball for the Trojans struggling to either produce tackles or rev up some offense.
But when the time came, the Trojans locked in and kept the Cornhuskers at bay, securing their sixth win of the season.
Nebraska would be the first to etch some points on the board as quarterback Dylan Raiola connected with wide receiver Dane Key for a 14-yard reception. The Trojans would try to produce on offense as a response, but were only able to secure two field goal attempts, including a 49-yard kick that was good.
The Cornhuskers would take advantage of the Trojans' defense, a defense that would scuffle through the early parts of the first half, as running back Emmett Johnson had a 10-yard rushing touchdown to extend their lead 14-6 heading into the second half.
This is where the tide seemingly turned for the Trojans, as Raiola would exit the game for Nebraska after suffering an ankle injury that would sideline him for the rest of the game. True Freshman TJ Lateef would take over at quarterback for the remainder of the game.
Jayden Maiava did not have the prettiest of nights throwing the ball, but he was turning on the jets and had himself a career game running with the rock. Maiava took the rock to the house with a 16-yard rush to put the Trojans within two, but Lincoln Riley chose to go for two and was successful on a King Miller run.
With the game all tied up at 14, the Cornhuskers only managed to put 3 more points in the fourth via a 39-yard field goal attempt.
It would be the likes of Miller that would propel the Trojans past the Cornhuskers, as he showed up when the Trojans needed him most in the run game. On 18 rushing attempts, he racked up 129 rushing yards, along with a dagger 6-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth that would put this one to bed.
With this victory, the Trojans not only secure a crucial road win against a Big Ten opponent, but they also improve to 6-2 on the season as they head back to Los Angeles to host Northwestern next Friday night at the Coliseum.