When Ohio State needed its defense to stand up at USC, it instead got trucked

With a new QB, the Buckeyes needed their defense to be great. It wasn’t.

Nov 01, 2026

∙ Paid

USC tight end Mark Bowman hurdles Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain as part of his 70-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State football).

COLUMBUS — Ohio State was one of two defenses in the country that hadn’t allowed a single play of 40 yards or more this season (joining North Dakota State) when this happened against USC on the Trojans’ second play from scrimmage Saturday night.

The play alignment and a little play-action fake to the running back takes eight Buckeyes out of the play from the jump.

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