USC made a statement on the opening drive by going 75 yards without much resistance. Jayden Maiava tossed it to an open Ja'Kobi Lane, who had a step on his defender on the slant route. Michigan's response was quick and incapable of surviving.
The maize and blue defense made a play on USC's second possession as Lake McRee got clobbered and fumbled the ball inside the red zone. Michigan couldn't seize the advantage and the drive stalled at midfield with a punt. They were in third and manageable, but committed a false start and Bryce Underwood was sacked on third down.
Michigan's next offensive series took firm control for the only time on Saturday. Underwood saw Donaven McCulley running towards the corner of the endzone and the two tied it up with three minutes left in the first half. Michigan left too much time on the clock for the Trojans and Maiava went down the field for a two minute drive to take the upper hand into the locker room.
Out of the break Hogan Hansen was penalized for pass interference that would have extended the quarter's opening drive. The game changed on the ensuing third and a mile as King Miller went racing into Michigan territory for a 50 yard back-breaking dash. Two plays later he hit paydirt and put the Trojans ahead by two scores.
USC was driving again, but Maiava made a costly mistake by throwing it up for grabs on third down. Zeke Berry made a diving interception to keep the Wolverines alive. Michigan's offense threatened, but Underwood threw his second pick of the year to waste a precious opportunity to make things more interesting.
Ryon Sayeri pushed the lead to 17 with a career-long field goal. Underwood reacted by tossing it to Andrew Marsh to cut into the deficit, but it was too little, too late. USC's offense was just too potent to stop on Saturday night and reached the finishing line by adding one more for good measure. Bryan Jackson closed the celebration with another dart for six.
Here are three takeaways from Michigan's Los Angeles demise.