USC vs. Texas score, summary: Trojans win overtime thriller

"It may not have been as high-scoring as expected, but the USC vs. Texas score does nothing to show how wild and wacky and sloppy of a night it was at the LA Coliseum."

The lowdown: After tons of talk about the greatness —or heartbreak— of the 2006 Rose Bowl, USC and Texas put together arguably the most equally opposite first half performance they could. The Trojans’ receivers dropped several Sam Darnold passes, Texas was held to just a single rushing yard and committed two turnovers before both teams took nearly an entire half to score.

But then all hell broke loose. Deontay Burnett opened the scoring with a sensational diving catch at the 2:40 mark of the second quarter. Darnold, in an act of clairvoyance, threw to a spot and Burnett got it.

In the final minute of the half, the Trojans’ umpteenth dropped pass —this one by junior receiver Jalen Greene— resulted in an interception return for a touchdown by Texas defensive back DeShon Elliott.

Not to be undone on the wackiness, Darnold checked down on his Hail Mary attempt to find an unmarked Ronald Jones, who raced to the end zone 56 yards for a score with the help of a perfectly executed block by Steven Mitchell. USC went to the half up 14-7.

The second half featured much more of the frustrations and silly mistakes of the first half, for both teams. Velus Jones dropped a potential dagger of a deep ball and Texas punt returner Reggie Hemphill-Mapps twice caught a punt near the goal line. Then there were injuries. Both Porter Gustin and Rasheem Green left and would not return.

Long after a Texas field goal cut the Trojan lead to 14-10, Darnold’s second interception early in the fourth set the Longhorns up for a chance to take lead on No. 4 USC. But Marvell Tell jumped in front of a Sam Ehlinger pass for an interception that nullified a golden opportunity.

The Longhorns did eventually take the lead but the Trojans put kicker Chase McGrath in a position to tie and send the game to overtime.

After a back and forth in the extra period, the USC defense forced and recovered a fumble, putting the game at McGrath’s feet once more.

His aim was true.

The quick takeaway: The Trojans have three huge problem areas to address after Week 3: pass-catching, play calling and health on the defensive line.

The combination of several dropped passes, routes short of the sticks and the balance-for-the-sake-of-balance plays killed USC’s drives and prevented any rhythm throughout the game. Meanwhile, the losses of Porter Gustin and Rasheem Green could be damning for a defense that was stout up front during the first half, and doesn’t have a bye week this season.

Player of the game: Chase McGrath

Stat of the game: Just days after having two screws put in his foot, USC outside linebacker Porter Gustin had two sacks in the first half. (H/T Ryan Abraham of USCFootball.com)

Next on tap: The Trojans will head up north to meet their former defensive coordinator, Justin Wilcox. He is Cal’s first-year head coach and will try to lead the Golden Bears to their first win over USC since 2003.