New FSM Recap: 2024 Las Vegas Kick-Off Classic - LSU vs USC - Bonus Game Notes

New FSM Recap: 2024 Las Vegas Kick-Off Classic – LSU vs USC

Franchise Sports Media

The USC Trojans showed grit and resilience in their 27-20 victory over the LSU Tiger in the Las Vegas Kick-Off Classic at Allegiant Stadium Sunday Night.

The USC Trojans put on a stunning comeback to defeat the LSU Tigers 27-20 in the 2024 Las Vegas Kick-Off Classic, thrilling the 63,969 crowd at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday night.

“We were a tough, gritty, physical team that got it done in the end,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said. “I don’t coach for the media. I don’t coach for the headlines. We try to stay incredibly committed to it, regardless of what anybody says on the outside. Whether they agree with us is honestly irrelevant. I have a decent idea of what pretty good looks like, and I know we’re making progress.“

LSU head coach Brian Kelly is now 0–3 in season openers while at LSU. They’ve all been high-profile matchups, twice playing Florida State and now USC.

LSU came in ranked No. 13 in the preseason polls and appeared poised to dominate the game, moving the ball up and down the field on its first two drives. However, the Trojans‘ defense, which has undergone improvements both on the field and with the coaching staff, stifled LSU’s offense for much of the game.

The game was physical, with both teams’ defenses making plays and delivering big hits.

USC quarterback Miller Moss showed poise and accuracy, leading the offense with efficient play. He made big throw after big throw all game while standing tall in the pocket and coming up big when the Trojans needed him most.

Moss threw for 378 yards and one touchdown, completing 27 of 36 passes. His most significant completion came to wide receiver Kyron Ware-Hudson with 18 seconds to go. On the play, LSU was also hit with a targeting call that led to the game-winning touchdown by USC running back Woody Marks on the next play.

Moss completed five out of six passes on the last drive.

LSU’s QB Garrett Nussmeier completed 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards with two touchdowns as well as an interception on the final drive to seal the Tigers‘ fate.

USC got on the board first with a 2-yard touchdown run by Marks to put the Trojans in front 7-0 four minutes into the second quarter. LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy then caught a 19-yard touchdown to tie the game midway through the quarter.

The Trojans took a 20-17 lead with 5:44 left in the game when Moss found wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for a 28-yard touchdown. LSU then answered back with a 31-yard field goal to tie it at 20 with 1:47 remaining in the game.

Moss then led the Trojans on an eight-play, 75-yard drive to win the game and send the Tigers and their fans back to their hotels angry. 

It was Miller Time!

“It was excitement for our team,” Moss said. “We worked really hard throughout the offseason to build an identity of a tough team that really cared about each other. I think our identity really shone through in the latter part of that game.“

“We had some guys who played their butts off tonight, and we’re sitting here again,” Kelly paused to slam his hand on the table. “We’re sitting here again talking about the same things. About not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put them away.

“What we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game is over. And I am so angry about it. I’ve got to do something about it. I’m not doing a good enough job as a coach.”

The game was memorable for two Las Vegas high school football legends: USC Trojans Zach and Zion Branch, who played high school football at Bishop Gorman and were back in their hometown wearing scarlet and gold.

Zach Branch had four catches for 56 yards and one kick return that he nearly took to the house, which went for 46 yards.

Team Statistics

• USC: Total Offense: 447 yards
  • Passing: 378 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
  • Rushing: 69 yards, 2 TD

• LSU: Total Offense: 421 yards
  • Passing: 304 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
  • Rushing: 117 yards, 1 TD

Individual Standouts:

• USC: Miller Moss: 378 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
  • Kyron Ware-Hudson: 83 receiving yards, 0 TD
  • Woody Marks: 68 rushing yards, 2 TD

• LSU: Garrett Nussmeier: 304 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
  • John Emery Jr.: 61 rushing yards, 0 TD
  • Kyren Lacy: 94 receiving yards, 1 TD

Thanks for visiting FranchiseSportsMedia.com for your Las Vegas Sports news today.

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– Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media

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