The Penn State Nittany Lions staged a thrilling comeback in the second half to overcome the Southern California Trojans, winning 33-30 in overtime. This marked the first matchup between the teams since 2017 and added to the excitement of a packed Week 7 of college football.
The game was decided by a 34-yard field goal from kicker Ryan Barker during overtime, clinching the victory for the Nittany Lions.
The Trojans aimed to bounce back from a recent 24-17 defeat to Minnesota, which had caused them to drop out of the US LBM Coaches Poll. Meanwhile, unbeaten Penn State entered the week ranked No. 5 after a convincing 27-11 win over UCLA.
As the game unfolded, several key moments stood out. In the final seconds of regulation, Penn State’s Jaylen Reed intercepted a pass from USC quarterback Miller Moss, but then Penn State’s Drew Allar threw an interception as time expired, leading to overtime.
During the closing moments of the game, Allar connected with Nick Singleton for a critical 14-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 30-30. Earlier, USC had taken a 30-23 lead with a touchdown pass from Miller Moss to Kyron Hudson and a successful extra point.
The Nittany Lions had previously evened the score at 23-23 thanks to Barker’s 20-yard field goal. A series of turnovers characterized the game, including Allar’s second interception, allowing USC to capitalize and briefly gain the lead.
Throughout the contest, both offensive and defensive plays defined the teams’ efforts, with notable contributions from both sides. The Trojans efficiently used their running game, while Penn State employed creative offensive strategies to stay competitive.
This game not only highlights the intensity of college football but also the shifting dynamics in rankings and expectations as teams strive for postseason play.