Sunday night’s clash at Allegiant Stadium wasn’t just the most-attended event in the venue’s history—it was also one of the most thrilling.
In a Week 1 showdown that went down to the wire, USC edged LSU 27-20 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 63,969 fans. With just eight seconds left on the clock, USC senior running back Woody Marks burst through a gap for a 13-yard touchdown, breaking the tie and securing the victory.
“It was a play call that Coach Riley made, and the o-line executed it perfectly,” Marks said of his game-winning run. “They trusted their training from fall and spring, and we scored.”
The victory was sealed when Trojans senior linebacker Mason Cobb intercepted Tigers junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on the next play, cementing the upset.
Ranked No. 23, USC celebrated its first official game as a member of the Big Ten Conference, while No. 13 LSU suffered its fifth consecutive season-opening loss since winning the 2019 College Football Playoff.
“This was our day on the biggest stage, and there’s something special about that,” said USC coach Lincoln Riley.
The game was part of the Vegas Kickoff Classic, a showcase that could become a regular fixture with Allegiant Stadium positioned as a host for premier Week 1 matchups. A future game between the University of Miami and the University of Utah is already scheduled for 2027.
This year’s game was big business for Las Vegas, with fans clad in cardinal, gold, purple, and gold flooding the Strip all weekend. The game sold out last month, and a limited number of standing-room-only tickets released this weekend were quickly snapped up. By kickoff, the stadium welcomed about 1,400 more fans than Super Bowl 58 in February.
The crowd was evenly split between USC and LSU supporters, both of whom had plenty to cheer for in what was dubbed the “battle of the beach vs. the bayou.” Neither team led by more than seven points, and that margin only lasted for about four minutes.
“Just an awesome team win—great environment, great stadium, great opponent,” Riley said in his post-game press conference. “Both teams went at it, trading blows the entire game. I’m proud of our guys.”
Marks bookended the scoring with a two-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to give USC a 7-0 lead. The drive featured one of the most impressive catches of the year—a one-handed grab by USC junior receiver Kyron Hudson, who soared through the air to make the play.
Hudson did it again with the game on the line, making a low, one-handed catch along the sidelines with 14 seconds left, holding on despite a brutal hit from LSU junior safety Jardin Gilbert.
“When you see the ball in the air, it’s yours,” Hudson said. “So, I just went up and made a play.”
The catch set up Marks’ game-winning run after replay confirmed a targeting penalty on Gilbert, adding 15 yards to the play.
LSU coach Brian Kelly was frustrated by his team’s 10 penalties for 99 yards, calling it “the most disappointing part” of the loss.
“I look at myself and say, ‘I have to do better because they’re not getting the message,’” Kelly said. “Those penalties affected the game.”
Kelly’s frustration was evident as he pounded the table during his post-game press conference, lamenting his team’s inability to close out the game.
LSU had the ball inside USC’s 20-yard line with a 20-17 lead at college football’s new “two-minute timeout,” but Nussmeier’s two incomplete passes forced the Tigers to settle for a field goal, tying the game.
Nussmeier, who completed 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns, faced off against USC junior Miller Moss in both players’ debuts as full-time starting quarterbacks. Moss completed 27 of 36 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown, a 28-yard strike to sophomore receiver Ja’Kobi Lane that gave USC a 20-17 lead with less than six minutes remaining.
Hudson, who had been a depth player for USC for three seasons, broke out in a big way with five catches for 83 yards, including his pair of one-handed grabs that were the night’s biggest highlights.
Marks, who transferred from Mississippi State after four years, seized his moment on the big stage with 16 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
“It’s just a surreal game for me,” Marks said. “After years of injuries and playing against SEC teams at Mississippi State, it feels incredible to win here with my new family.”
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