USC Finishes Regular Season Strong with 29-10 Win Over UCLA, But Questions Remain
The Victory Bell is staying in Troy.
USC closed out its 2025 regular season with a 29-10 win over crosstown rival UCLA at the Coliseum on Saturday night. With the win, the Trojans improved to 9-3 and kept the Victory Bell for another year-but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
In a game that felt more like a grind than a statement for much of the evening, USC eventually found its rhythm and pulled away late. Let’s break down what went right, what went wrong, and what it all means heading into the postseason.
The Final 20 Minutes: USC Finds Its Spark
For the first two and a half quarters, USC looked stuck in neutral. But then, like flipping a switch, the Trojans came alive.
Over the final 20 minutes of the game, USC scored touchdowns on three straight possessions-excluding the final kneel-down-and turned what had been a frustrating, close contest into a comfortable three-score win. It wasn’t just the points, it was the timing.
The offense finally clicked, the tempo picked up, and the energy shifted. The Trojans didn’t just survive; they imposed their will down the stretch.
That kind of late-game surge is what separates good teams from average ones. It’s also a reminder of the firepower USC can unleash when everything falls into place.
The First 40 Minutes: Slow Start, Sloppy Execution
But let’s not pretend the early going didn’t raise eyebrows.
For the first 40 minutes, USC looked out of sync. The Trojans managed just one touchdown during that stretch and actually trailed a 3-8 UCLA team late in the third quarter.
The offense was inconsistent, the rhythm was off, and the overall energy was flat. It wasn’t until the Bruins started unraveling that USC found its opening.
Against better teams, that kind of slow start could be fatal. The Trojans can’t count on opponents beating themselves in the postseason. If they want to make noise in a bowl game-or beyond-they’ll need to bring four full quarters, not just a strong finish.
King Miller: From Walk-On to Workhorse
One of the brightest spots in USC’s season has been the emergence of redshirt freshman running back King Miller, and Saturday was another chapter in his breakout story.
Miller racked up 127 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries, slicing through UCLA’s defense with a mix of vision, burst, and toughness. For a walk-on, he’s played like anything but.
His performance against the Bruins wasn’t just efficient-it was tone-setting. Every time USC needed a spark, Miller delivered.
At this point, it’s not a question of if he deserves a scholarship and a strong NIL deal-it’s a matter of when. He’s earned his place in the spotlight.
Defense Steps Up-Again
USC’s defense has taken its fair share of heat this season, and not without reason. But credit where it’s due: they showed up in a big way on Saturday.
The Trojans held UCLA to just 10 points, and none in the second half. That’s not a fluke, either-it’s the second time in three weeks USC has pitched a second-half shutout. Yes, UCLA’s offense has struggled all year, but shutting down a rival in a rivalry game still counts for something.
For a unit that’s been under the microscope, this was a much-needed performance. The tackling was cleaner, the coverage tighter, and the energy more consistent. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.
Clean Football: Penalties and Turnovers Controlled
One of the most encouraging signs from Saturday’s win? Discipline.
A week after a penalty- and turnover-filled loss to Oregon, USC cleaned things up in a big way. The Trojans didn’t turn the ball over and were flagged just three times for 30 yards. Quarterback Jayden Maiava did have an interception wiped out by a defensive penalty, but overall, USC played smart, controlled football.
That kind of discipline is what coaches preach all season long-and it’s exactly what you want to see heading into the postseason. Mistake-free football doesn’t guarantee a win, but it sure makes it easier.
Special Teams: A Growing Concern
If there’s one area that continues to raise red flags, it’s special teams-specifically, the kicking game.
Ryon Sayeri, who was lights-out for most of the season, has now missed three straight field goals over the last two games. On Saturday, he missed two kicks from inside 40 yards, both of which could’ve helped USC build momentum earlier in the game. That’s now back-to-back weeks of special teams struggles, and it’s officially something to monitor.
In tight postseason matchups, special teams can swing games. If USC wants to avoid a costly misstep, they’ll need to figure this out-and fast.
Looking Ahead
With the regular season in the books, USC finds itself at 9-3, with a rivalry win in its back pocket and a postseason berth on the horizon. The Trojans showed resilience, playmaking ability, and flashes of dominance-but they also reminded us that there’s still work to be done.
If they can bottle up the energy from those final 20 minutes, ride the momentum of King Miller’s breakout, and tighten up special teams, this team has a shot to finish the year strong. But if they come out flat like they did for most of Saturday night, they’ll be playing with fire.
The Victory Bell stays home. Now it’s time to see what USC can do when the stakes get even higher.