The No. 11 USC Trojans lost to Minnesota 24-17 on Saturday, October 5. It’s hard to win games on the road in conference play.

The Golden Gophers scored in the final minute on a fourth-quarter quarterback sneak with Max Brosmer. The officials initially kept Brosmer out of the end zone, giving the Trojans the ball in a tie game. However, the play was reviewed and changed to a touchdown.

After the game, a reporter asked Trojans defensive end Jamil Muhammad if he thought Minnesota crossed the goal line on the Gophers’ final touchdown.

“Don’t ask him that. Next question,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said before Muhammad could respond. “Who cares what he says about that? How about a player’s opinion? Let’s ask a more professional question.”

The Trojans found themselves in another dogfight on the road in the first half. Total yardage, first downs gained and turnover battles were pretty much stuck at the halfway mark. The score was 10-10 thanks to a 54-yard field goal by kicker Michael Lantz just before the break.

The Trojans came into the game with a plus-32 scoring margin in the second half and experience in close-ball games. They leaned heavily on that muscle memory to make a few hard-fought attacks to take control of the game with a great scoring drive and two early defensive stops that put Minnesota on the ropes.

A near-sack strip early in the fourth quarter flew into the air and turned into a Miller Moss interception. That was a huge turning point as the Trojans had a 17-10 lead and were driving into Golden Gopher territory with a chance to essentially give the ball game away. It may sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s the truth: the same issues that appeared on tape for the Trojans cost them a ball game.

The Golden Gophers scored 14 straight points and closed with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that left the Trojans with less than a minute left in the game. At 24-17, USC’s only option was a touchdown. While quarterback Miller Moss got the Trojans within striking distance, it wasn’t enough as Moss was intercepted while making a shot into the end zone.

Minnesota defeated the USC Trojans for the first time since 1955.

The biggest problem with this offense, and honestly the team, is the trouble the Trojans have protecting quarterback Miller Moss. He came into the game as the most hit and pressured quarterback in the Big Ten and the most hit quarterback in the country. The Trojans did not do much better in that regard today.

Moss’ quick passing game and decisiveness provided relief on some passing attempts, but when USC actually had to make a five-step dropback, it wasn’t pretty.

Moss has notably added muscle and weight this season and he needed it. The Trojans must find a way to keep Moss afloat. Their season ultimately depends on it.

As for the biggest red flag on defense? Their inability to hold the line in the biggest moments of the game. The defense, as in the Michigan game, was excellent down to the last score. Minnesota ran for 193 yards, most of which came on its final two possessions. The Big Ten trenches discourse has surrounded the Trojans, but they have largely held their own.

Ownership times were pretty much the same, so being worn out is no excuse. The Trojans held the Gophers to 2/8 on third downs, but the Gophers converted twice on fourth down, one of which was the go-ahead goal. Sometimes the schedule isn’t the problem. Defensively, the Trojans have no problem there. In this case, USC needs their playmakers to step up in the biggest moments. They’ve done it before, they need to do it more.

Lincoln Riley-led teams have been in this situation several times. A lead, a humming attack and a decision to be made: run the ball and control the clock or pass. On the drive that ultimately changed the momentum with the interception, the Trojans fell back on third and fourth down from the Minnesota 35.

Sounds pretty normal to throw there, right? Not so fast. The Trojans averaged 6.2 yards per carry and had a seven-point lead. At that point, the worst-case scenario if they failed to convert was a short fourth down attempt or a field goal attempt to potentially go up 10 points with 10 minutes left.

You could say that’s hypercritical, but on the very next possession, tied at 17-17, there wasn’t a single rushing attempt. Minnesota got the ball back on a three-and-out and the rest is history. When will Riley rely on his run game to close out these close games?

USC has shown how resilient they are, perhaps too much for anyone this early in the year. They will have to prove it every week from now on to achieve their goals. There is no more wiggle room. There is no more grace period. The Trojans have to win.

Across the college football landscape, many ranked teams were tested against unranked foes. Georgia passed the Auburn test and Ohio State passed the Iowa test. Alabama fell to Vanderbilt in one of the biggest upsets in college football history. Michigan faltered on its way to Washington. Tennessee was upset by Arkansas.