Minnesota made a gutsy call -- and benefitted from video review -- to earn a 24-17 upset win against No. 11 USC on Saturday. On fourth-and-goal from inside USC's 1-yard line, and with less than 1 minute to play, the Gophers lined up to go for it instead of kicking a go-ahead field goal.
Quarterback Max Brosmer kept it on a sneak and was initially ruled down before he crossed the goal line; however, video review showed him clearly plunging into the end zone with possession of the ball. The officials were quick to overturn the decision and award Minnesota the touchdown.
Gophers take over late 👀
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 6, 2024
After a scoring play, @GopherFootball leads No. 11 USC 24-17.#B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/TqpJrqANny
That came after Minnesota ran three plays inside USC's 4-yard line, including another Brosmer sneak, and only gained 3 yards. USC did get a chance to at least tie the game with less than a minute left and no timeouts.
The Trojans did make things interesting down the stretch, however. On third-and-10 from Minnesota's 44-yard line, quarterback Miller Moss hit wide receiver Makai Lemon for a gain of 16 yards to the edge of the red zone. With the clock ticking, though, Moss then lofted a pass to the end zone that was intercepted by Minnesota true freshman defensive back Koi Perich.
THE KID FROM ESKO! #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) October 6, 2024
📺 @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/s6y6z7nBU7
USC is now 0-2 in Big Ten road games following its Week 4 loss against Michigan. The Trojans are 3-0 otherwise. Lincoln Riley is also 5-7 in his last 12 games at USC.
For Minnesota, this is the Gophers' first win against a top-15 opponent since a Nov. 27, 2021 triumph against Wisconsin. Minnesota also snapped a seven-game losing streak against power conference competition.
