King Miller’s breakout game powers USC to win over No. 15 Michigan

The replacement took his place next to the USC quarterback, the last man standing in a beaten backfield. In the midst of a bruising battle between the Big Ten and Michigan, where brawn and ball control were essential, the Trojans’ two best running backs had already been carried into the Coliseum tunnel. Meanwhile, two of their top linemen started Saturday in street clothes. The circumstances were anything but ideal for a team whose season was on the line.

King Miller, however, was already accustomed to beating the odds. It wasn’t long ago that the redshirt freshman was buried on the depth chart, a preferred backup at Calabasas High with no obvious path to playing time at USC.

But that was before Saturday, before Miller saw a crease in Michigan’s defense, before launching into a game-changing breakaway that ultimately gave USC a decisive 31-13 victory over No. 15 Michigan.

It was a blowout win for the Trojans, considering their poor play in their loss to Illinois two weeks earlier, and for Lincoln Riley, who was just 3-11 against ranked teams before Saturday.

The fact that the victory came behind the back of a player who paid for his own place at USC only made the situation even more impressive.

Miller had just two 10-yard runs under his belt when Waymond Jordan, the Trojans’ leading rusher, left the field in the second quarter, unable to put weight on his foot. However, his next 16 carries would total 148 yards.

His explosion began with that fumble early in the third quarter, as Miller slipped through a hole and took off, weaving his way past a Michigan defender and into the open field. Miller was eventually tackled, only to score a touchdown two plays later.

USC tight end Walker Lyons makes a first move after catching a pass in the first half of the Trojans’ win over Michigan at the Coliseum Saturday night.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The score gave USC a 21-7 lead it would never relinquish. But Miller wasn’t done with his stellar performance. He sprinted for a similar 47-yard gain on the next drive.

The most encouraging developments came on defense, where USC bounced back from a disastrous loss to Illinois to dominate Michigan and its standout freshman quarterback, Bryce Underwood. After weeks of separation from their secondary, the Trojans held Underwood to just 207 yards on 15-of-24 passing. It was also stifling against the run, limiting Michigan’s top rushing attack to a measly 3.5 yards per carry.

There were other positive signs on Saturday as well. For one thing, USC committed just three penalties, a season-low.

His offense, outside of Miller, has seen better days. Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw a bad interception in the red zone when USC could have put the game away in the third quarter. Yet he finished with 265 yards and two touchdowns.

But it was an all-star night, raising the question: How long will it take USC to offer him a scholarship?

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava drives past Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore in the first half.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Before Miller came on the scene, it was unclear what USC would look like after the Illinois loss. But USC wasted no time asserting itself.

The Trojans moved down the field with ease on their first possession. Jordan touched the ball six times and Maiava completed all five of his passes, capping a smooth 11-play drive by hitting a wide-open Ja’Kobi Lane into the end zone on a two-yard slant.

USC continued on its next momentum, until disaster struck and the momentum suddenly shifted. Just as the Trojans entered the red zone, threatening to blow the game open, tight end Lake McRee caught a pass over the middle and was knocked away by Michigan defensive back Jyaire Hill, who released the ball. The Wolverines have recovered.

USC managed to withstand Michigan’s initial response, stopping an 11-play drive with a well-timed safety blitz on third down that pushed the Wolverines out of field goal range. But a 14-play follow-up proved too much for the Trojans defense, who couldn’t stop Michigan’s ground game and gave up a game-tying touchdown to receiver Donaven McCulley.

With three minutes left in the half — and Michigan poised to receive the third-quarter kickoff — USC finally shifted into high gear. He only faced a third party as he roamed the field. But with precious seconds ticking away, Maiava looked toward the end zone where he found Makai Lemon, who leapt skyward to catch the pass between two defenders, then held on as he landed on his back for the go-ahead score.

USC, however, paid the price for that final goal before halftime. Jordan, the Trojans’ best runner, left the field after just one run, unable to put weight on his foot. He was eventually carted off the field, joining Eli Sanders, the Trojans’ other senior guard, who left the game in the first quarter.

But Miller stepped into that void seamlessly in the second half. He pulled off one great race, then another, carving his way to Trojan infamy amid a resounding victory.

USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane celebrates after scoring on a touchdown reception in the first quarter against Michigan.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)