USC overcomes mistakes to get past Wisconsin for Big Ten win

The nation’s most electric returner looked skyward as a Wisconsin punt raced his way in the second quarter. Zachariah Branch had thrown just as many kicks. But as it approached and a decision became closer, the USC sophomore hesitated for just a split second.

It took just long for disaster to strike. The ball, which bounced off Branch’s outstretched arms, was deflected by Wisconsin. And with that, any hope of a smooth resurgence for USC in the Big Ten’s home opener disappeared.

What USC experienced instead was a confusing afternoon that the Trojans and their coach probably wished they could move past quickly, filled with an equal mix of frustrating missteps, sloppy execution and second-half determination. USC still managed to pull out a 38-21 victory over Wisconsin, but it certainly didn’t seem all that satisfying along the way.

Bouncing back from last week’s tough loss to Michigan required another masterful attempt at halftime adjustments from USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, whose defense allowed Wisconsin just 82 total yards in the second half. It also meant a steely comeback attack from quarterback Miller Moss, who turned around a sloppy start and led three consecutive touchdown drives in the third and fourth quarters, even leading the last one himself.

Moss finished the game with 308 yards and three passing touchdowns and another on the ground. However, he would pay for the end result by hitting the ground hard as the plane crossed into the end zone. The hit would land him briefly in the medical tent. But by that point, Moss had already led the Trojans back into a more comfortable lead.

While Moss was being cared for, linebacker Mason Cobb made sure the play was stopped. He took a tipped pass 55 yards to tie the game and finally put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.

Trojans quarterback Miller Moss catches a pass before Badgers defensive end Curt Neal can be sacked Saturday.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Until Lynn’s defense stepped up and Moss excelled in the second half, turning a 21-10 halftime deficit into four unanswered touchdowns, Saturday’s game could hardly be described as pleasant for USC.

Branch’s botched punt led to USC starting Saturday on uneven ground, and the mistakes piled up from there. Moss threw a bad pick and missed a fumble in the first half. The offensive line struggled to defend. Wideouts dropped critical passes. Even the defense, which eventually calmed down, seemed to slip back into bad habits, giving up four explosive passing plays as if to honor their former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was back coaching on the opposite side.

It was hardly how USC had hoped to open Big Ten play in the Coliseum. But it was also a reminder of how quickly the Trojans could slip into the inconsistent pattern of play that plagued them a year ago.

USC got off to a promising start, with Moss having a much cleaner pocket than he saw at Michigan last week. With time to throw, he fired a perfectly placed touchdown pass between two defenders on the Trojans’ first drive, hitting Ja’Kobi Lane in the corner of the end zone for a 32-yard score.

It seemed only a matter of time before USC had a smooth Saturday. But the balance of these first pieces didn’t last long.

Wisconsin’s Vinny Anthony swept past USC cornerback Jacobe Covington on the next possession for a 63-yard touchdown pass.

USC receiver Duce Robinson makes a 32-yard reception to Wisconsin safety Austin Brown for the go-ahead touchdown.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Two drives later, Moss released another high ball, but it sailed too far into Zachariah Branch’s wide ball. The pass was picked off, ending a 10-play drive.

The mistakes piled up from there, as two of USC’s next three possessions ended in similarly disastrous fashion. First, Branch’s botched punt return. Then Moss was hit from behind late in the second quarter and the ball bounced out to stop a promising drive.

As the final seconds of the first half ticked away, boos rang out in the Coliseum as USC trailed by two points.

But a few hours later, the crowd cheered as Cobb rolled into the end zone and completed a comeback victory that shouldn’t have come this far.