USC Beats Ohio State 30-18

Ohio State's offense reached the end zone late, as USC converted its red-zone chances on the way to a home win over the Buckeyes.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football

USC defeated Ohio State 30-18 in football on October 31, 2026. Ohio State started true freshman Luke Fahey at quarterback in place of Julian Sayin.

Why it matters

The result came after USC's lopsided loss to Wisconsin the previous week and shows the Trojans recovering with a ranked-team win. Ohio State's first game without its starter raised questions about its quarterback depth.

Ohio State gained 464 total yards (260 passing, 204 rushing) against USC's 338 (222 passing, 116 rushing), and Jeremiah Smith posted a record-breaking performance. Ohio State converted 25 first downs to USC's 15, though the extraction does not specify the exact breakdown of Smith's record.

The players

Ryan Day

Ohio State's head football coach, known for leading the Buckeyes through a rebuilding year with a new starting quarterback.

Lincoln Riley

USC's head football coach, who previously led Oklahoma and is known for his offensive-minded approach.

Dave Portnoy

Founder of Barstool Sports and a prominent sports media personality who frequently weighs in on college football on social media.

The details

Ohio State did not reach the end zone until the final minutes of the fourth quarter, while USC capitalized on its scoring chances in the red zone. Dave Portnoy publicly criticized Ohio State coach Ryan Day and USC coach Lincoln Riley on X following the game.

• October 31, 2026: USC defeats Ohio State 30-18.

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Season Trajectory

USC's win over Ohio State follows a blowout loss to Wisconsin the week before, marking a sharp rebound for the Trojans. Ohio State's loss, in its first game without starter Julian Sayin, raises questions about its quarterback depth in the Big Ten race.

Ohio State's quarterback situation is now a live question for fantasy and betting markets after Julian Sayin's absence and Luke Fahey's first start. USC's red-zone efficiency in this game is the kind of detail that moves season win-total projections for both programs.

The takeaway

Efficiency in the red zone can outweigh a yardage deficit, and Ohio State's late touchdown shows how quickly a game can turn on a few scoring chances. Fans tracking both programs should watch how each coach manages quarterback depth in the coming weeks.