Rising scores on a 2-point conversion, leading Utah over USC 43-42

SALT AKE CITY (AP) – Cameron Rising threw for 415 yards, ran for three touchdowns and rushed up the middle for a two-point conversion with 48 seconds left in No. 20 Utah’s 43-42 win over No. 7 Southern California on Saturday night.

Rising rushed a yard for a touchdown on fourth down to set up the game-winning conversion.

Caleb Williams threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns for Southern California (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12). Utah (5-2, 3-1) held the Trojans to their last drive, handing them their first loss as a record crowd of 53,609 rocked Rice-Eccles Stadium and then flooded the field.

The Utes needed every one of Rising’s big plays with his legs and arm for a career night. Rising, who was once committed to current USC coach Lincoln Riley when he was at Oklahoma, became the first Utah QB to throw for 400 yards since Brian Johnson had 417 against San Diego State in 2005.

Dalton Kincaid had 15 catches for 217 yards, the most for the Utes since Carl Harry had 255 in 1988.

Southern Cal’s Mario Williams had four catches for 145 yards and Jordan Addison had seven receptions for 106 yards before an ankle injury sidelined him.

Against an all-out blitz, Williams connected with Michael Jackson III, who ran through a scramble for a 20-yard touchdown with 6:15 to play for a 42-35 lead. It was Jackson’s first catch of the season.

Utah has won 23 of its last 24 home games, including a 12-game hitting streak.

Addison, Pittsburgh’s 2021 Biletnikov Award winner as the nation’s top receiver, had seven catches for 106 yards but injured his ankle on a turnover in the third quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Southern California: The Trojans were prolific on offense, but the defense couldn’t stop the Rising, especially when it counted. Key penalties often held the Trojans back when they had opportunities to take a commanding lead.

Utah: The Rising willed the Utes to a win, but the Trojans were overwhelmed by the defense. Utah’s defenders often played poor angles against USC’s speed. Utah turned almost exclusively to the passing game as the running game was loaded, aside from Rising’s power runs.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE SURVEY

Utah should go up, but the Trojans shouldn’t fall far after the two teams went head-to-head for 60 minutes.

NEXT

Southern California: At Arizona on October 29.

Utah: At Washington State on October 27.