Minnesota upsets No. 11 USC 24-17 on Brosmer’s 4th-and-goal sneak with 56 seconds left

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In a pivotal fourth-and-goal situation with the game tied late, Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck had a decision to make. But for him, the choice was clear.

Max Brosmer plunged into the end zone from the 1-yard line with just 56 seconds remaining, securing his third rushing touchdown of the night and giving Minnesota a thrilling 24-17 victory over 11th-ranked Southern California on Saturday night.

Brosmer completed 15 of 19 passes for 169 yards and managed to navigate through a wall of defenders to score. Initially ruled short by officials, a replay review swiftly overturned the call, a decision that the crowd had anticipated.

With the Trojans (3-2, 1-2 Big Ten) out of timeouts, quarterback Miller Moss rushed the team up the field. However, his deep throw to Duce Robinson from the 28-yard line was intercepted by Koi Perich in the end zone, sealing the game for the Gophers.

Darius Taylor had a standout performance, amassing 200 yards from scrimmage, including 144 yards on 25 carries, which helped propel Minnesota (3-3, 1-2) to its first win against USC since 1955, narrowing the all-time series to 6-2-1 in favor of the Trojans.

In the closing moments, with USC leading 17-10, Moss was pressured by Jah Joyner, causing an errant throw that led to an interception by Devin Williams. Minnesota capitalized on this opportunity, marching 65 yards in just six plays, culminating in Brosmer’s game-tying touchdown with 7:08 left.

After forcing a three-and-out, Minnesota initiated the drive that would secure their victory.

Moss, who had surpassed 300 yards in two of his previous games, went 23 for 38 for 200 yards and one touchdown against a Minnesota defense that had led the FBS in pass defense entering the week. USC’s Woody Marks contributed with 20 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown, but the Trojans managed only their lowest score in three seasons under coach Lincoln Riley.

USC’s offense continued its sluggish trend for the third consecutive week, struggling to find its rhythm. They had trailed Michigan 14-3 at halftime in a 27-24 loss and fell behind Wisconsin 21-10 before rallying to win 38-21.

Just before halftime, Taylor fumbled at midfield after Kamari Ramsey knocked the ball loose, giving USC a chance to tie the game with a 54-yard field goal by Michael Lantz. Lantz, who had begun his career at Minnesota before an injury halted it, previously played at Georgia Southern before transferring to USC.

Lantz had missed a 47-yard field goal on USC’s opening drive, following a dropped pass from Zachariah Branch that could have led to a first down. Late in the second quarter, Quinten Joyner also fumbled at the Minnesota 38 after being stripped by Perich.

Robinson’s 3-yard touchdown catch with 7:13 left in the first half marked just the second passing touchdown against Minnesota this season.

**Looking Ahead:**

– **USC:** Hosts Penn State next Saturday. The Trojans last faced the Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017, emerging victorious with a score of 52-49.

– **Minnesota:** Travels to UCLA next Saturday night. The Gophers haven’t faced the Bruins since 1978.