Everybody can breathe now.
For three-plus quarters, the USC Trojans’ offense struggled to find any wiggle room against a tough, gritty Oregon State Beavers defense.
But great teams find ways to win, and that’s exactly what USC did on Saturday night in Corvallis.
Caleb Williams used a smart, quick-thinking push from Brett Neilon on 4th-and-6 to keep a late, last-ditch drive alive, then connected with Jordan Addison on the game-winning touchdown.
Then, Alex Grinch’s defense got another INT — the fourth of the game — to seal the deal in a 17-14 win on the road.
This was the first true test for Lincoln Riley, and while it wasn’t exactly the best pure performance, it was a win. Here are the best photos from a memorable night.
BEAVERS
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey (1) runs against…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey (1) runs against the USC Trojans at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
TRAVIS DYE
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans running back Travis Dye (26) runs against the…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans running back Travis Dye (26) runs against the Oregon State Beavers in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
SOLOMON BYRD
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd (51) pressures Oregon State…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Solomon Byrd (51) pressures Oregon State Beavers quarterback Chance Nolan (10) in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
CALEB
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs against Oregon State…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs against Oregon State Beavers defensive back Rejzohn Wright (2) at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
SHANE LEE
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison (0) holds onto…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison (0) holds onto the ball against USC Trojans linebacker Shane Lee (53) in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans punter Aadyn Sleep-Dalton (42) punts from the end…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans punter Aadyn Sleep-Dalton (42) punts from the end zone in the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
RESER STADIUM
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans run onto the field at Reser Stadium to…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans run onto the field at Reser Stadium to play against the Oregon State Beavers. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
JORDAN ADDISON
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers in the second half at Reser Stadium. The touchdown was the game winner as Trojans defeated Beavers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
MARIO WILLIAMS
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams (4) runs against the…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams (4) runs against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
DESHAUN FENWICK
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Deshaun Fenwick (5) celebrates with…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Deshaun Fenwick (5) celebrates with quarterback Chance Nolan (10) after scoring a touchdown against the USC Trojans in the first half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
DYE HITS PAYDIRT
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans running back Travis Dye (26) celebrates with teammates…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans running back Travis Dye (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
MAXXXXX-IMUM WILLIAMS
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive back Max Williams (4) celebrates with linebacker…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive back Max Williams (4) celebrates with linebacker Ralen Goforth (10) after making an interception against the Oregon State Beavers in the closing minute at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
MEKHI BLACKMON INT
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive back Mekhi Blackmon (6) makes an interception…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans defensive back Mekhi Blackmon (6) makes an interception during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
SPOTLIGHT
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws from the end…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws from the end zone against Oregon State Beavers defensive lineman James Rawls (52) in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
CENTER STAGE
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws from the end…
Sep 24, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws from the end zone against the Oregon State Beavers in the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
