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Nebraska vs. USC

Saturday, December 27, 2014, Holiday Bowl

No. 24 USC beat No. 25 Nebraska 45–⁠42. It was their fifth meeting; after it, USC led the series 4–⁠0–⁠1.

Neutral site25Nebraska9–⁠4 in 2014
42
Neutral site24USC9–⁠4 in 2014
45

Final at Qualcomm Stadium, San DiegoTV: ESPN, ESPNRMAttendance 55,789Payout $2.075 million (Wikipedia)

MVPs USC QB Cody Kessler; USC DE Leonard WilliamsWikipedia

At kickoff
56°F, clear, wind 7 mph from the northwestWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Montgomery Field Airport (KMYF), 4 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Officials
Referee Randy Christal; umpire Jim Adams; head linesman Marvel July; line judge Kelly Deterding; side judge Shane Standley; field judge Jason Ledet; back judge Donnie Aultman; alternate Chris TallentGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Nebraska17017842
USC101421045

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Nebraska

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Tommy Armstrong Jr.32/5138131
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Ameer Abdullah2788120
Tommy Armstrong Jr.1241115
Terrell Newby41508
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
De’Mornay Pierson-El8102121
Jordan Westerkamp381165
Kenny Bell771118
Ameer Abdullah661033
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Joshua Mitchell100

USC

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Cody Kessler23/3932131
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Javorius Allen26152244
Justin Davis445028
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Nelson Agholor790118
Adoree’ Jackson373171
JuJu Smith-Schuster366045
Bryce Dixon444120
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Su’a Cravens100

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

NebraskaUSC
525Total yards515
381Passing yards321
144Rushing yards194
7.5Yards per pass8.2
3.3Yards per rush5.7
28First downs22
7–⁠20Third downs3–⁠14
1–⁠3Fourth downs1–⁠1
1Turnovers1
7–⁠45Penalties12–⁠97
34:22Possession25:23

Efficiency

NebraskaUSC
41%Success rate41%
0.09EPA per play0.29
1.20Explosiveness1.47
−0.05Rushing EPA0.33
0.24Passing EPA0.26
36%Passing-down success30%
−0.02First-down EPA0.22
0.23Second-down EPA0.36
0.30Third-down EPA0.20
1%Havoc by its defense1%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

USC 53% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

USC −4, over/under 63.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were USC 61%, Nebraska 39%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

The money

The Holiday Bowl was put on by the Sports San Diego, a nonprofit. Its IRS Form 990 for the year to February 2015, which takes in this game, reports $11.2 million in revenue and $11.1 million in expenses.

From the organization’s IRS Form 990, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and the IRS’s e-file data. Payments are the grants it lists on Schedule I of that return. See every filing at ProPublica (EIN 95-3198732).

Every drive

USC end zoneNebraska end zoneQ1 NebraskaPunt, 3 playsQ1 USCPunt, 3 playsQ1 NebraskaField goal, 5 playsQ1 USCTouchdownQ1 NebraskaTouchdown, 6 playsQ1 USCField goal, 8 playsQ1 NebraskaPunt, 6 playsQ1 USCPunt, 3 playsQ1 NebraskaTouchdown, 6 playsQ1 USCTouchdown, 10 playsQ2 NebraskaPunt, 3 playsQ2 USCPunt, 4 playsQ2 NebraskaPunt, 3 playsQ2 USCTouchdown, 12 playsQ2 NebraskaPunt, 3 playsQ2 USCInterception, 3 playsQ2 NebraskaInterception, 11 playsQ2 USCEnd of half, 3 playsQ3 USCPunt, 4 playsQ3 NebraskaPunt, 3 playsQ3 USCTouchdown, 1 playQ3 NebraskaTouchdown, 7 playsQ3 USCTouchdown, 5 playsQ3 NebraskaPunt, 3 playsQ3 USCPunt, 3 playsQ3 NebraskaField goal, 6 playsQ3 USCTouchdown, 2 playsQ3 NebraskaTouchdown, 4 playsQ3 USCPunt, 3 playsQ4 NebraskaTurnover on downs, 6 playsQ4 USCPunt, 3 playsQ4 NebraskaTouchdown, 9 playsQ4 USCPunt, 3 playsQ4 NebraskaTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ4 USCPunt, 4 playsQ4 NebraskaEnd of game, 4 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. USC drives left to right, Nebraska right to left.
  1. Q1 NebraskaPunt, 3 plays, −15 yards
  2. Q1 USCPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  3. Q1 NebraskaField goal, 5 plays, 29 yards
  4. Q1 USCTouchdown, 0 yards
  5. Q1 NebraskaTouchdown, 6 plays, 20 yards
  6. Q1 USCField goal, 8 plays, 11 yards
  7. Q1 NebraskaPunt, 6 plays, −5 yards
  8. Q1 USCPunt, 3 plays, −2 yards
  9. Q1 NebraskaTouchdown, 6 plays, 39 yards
  10. Q1 USCTouchdown, 10 plays, 35 yards
  11. Q2 NebraskaPunt, 3 plays, 12 yards
  12. Q2 USCPunt, 4 plays, 10 yards
  13. Q2 NebraskaPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  14. Q2 USCTouchdown, 12 plays, 80 yards
  15. Q2 NebraskaPunt, 3 plays, −21 yards
  16. Q2 USCInterception, 3 plays, 24 yards
  17. Q2 NebraskaInterception, 11 plays, 65 yards
  18. Q2 USCEnd of half, 3 plays, 19 yards
  19. Q3 USCPunt, 4 plays, −22 yards
  20. Q3 NebraskaPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  21. Q3 USCTouchdown, 1 play, 71 yards
  22. Q3 NebraskaTouchdown, 7 plays, 35 yards
  23. Q3 USCTouchdown, 5 plays, 35 yards
  24. Q3 NebraskaPunt, 3 plays, −29 yards
  25. Q3 USCPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  26. Q3 NebraskaField goal, 6 plays, 9 yards
  27. Q3 USCTouchdown, 2 plays, 35 yards
  28. Q3 NebraskaTouchdown, 4 plays, 65 yards
  29. Q3 USCPunt, 3 plays, −47 yards
  30. Q4 NebraskaTurnover on downs, 6 plays, 22 yards
  31. Q4 USCPunt, 3 plays, 9 yards
  32. Q4 NebraskaTouchdown, 9 plays, 77 yards
  33. Q4 USCPunt, 3 plays, −30 yards
  34. Q4 NebraskaTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 43 yards
  35. Q4 USCPunt, 4 plays, 17 yards
  36. Q4 NebraskaEnd of game, 4 plays, 12 yards

Play by play

1st quarter9 drives, then Nebraska 17, USC 10
Nebraska Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Alex Wood kickoff for 64 yds , Ameer Abdullah return for 49 yds to the 50 yard line
14:351st & 10 at the 50Ameer Abdullah run for 4 yds to the USC 46
14:152nd & 6 at opp 46Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Ameer Abdullah for a loss of 4 yards to the 50 yard line
13:493rd & 10 at the 50Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Jordan Westerkamp
13:494th & 10 at the 50Sam Foltz punt for 40 yds, fair catch by De’Mornay Pierson-El at the USC 10
USC Punt, 3 plays
13:471st & 10 at own 10USC Penalty, False Start (JuJu Smith) to the USC 5
13:331st & 15 at own 5Cody Kessler pass complete to JuJu Smith for 7 yds to the USC 12
13:102nd & 8 at own 12Javorius Allen run for 2 yds to the USC 14
12:593rd & 6 at own 14Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Steven Mitchell
12:524th & 6 at own 14Kris Albarado punt blocked by TEAM blocked by TEAM
Nebraska Field goal, 5 plays
12:451st & 10 at opp 46Ameer Abdullah run for 7 yds to the USC 39 for a 1ST down USC Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the USC 24 for a 1ST down
12:001st & 10 at opp 24Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 8 yds to the USC 16
11:482nd & 2 at opp 16Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Kenny Bell
11:393rd & 2 at opp 16Ameer Abdullah run for a loss of 1 yard to the USC 17
11:054th & 3 at opp 17Drew Brown 34 yd FG GOODNebraska 3, USC 0
10:544th & 3 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 63 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 98 yds for a TD, (Andre Heidari KICK)USC 7, Nebraska 3
10:541st & 10 at own 35USC Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Adoree’ Jackson) to the USC 20
Nebraska Touchdown, 6 plays
10:541st & 25 at own 20Alex Wood kickoff for 50 yds , Andy Janovich return for 17 yds to the Neb 47
10:301st & 10 at own 47Ameer Abdullah run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line
10:302nd & 7 at the 50USC Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the USC 45
10:002nd & 2 at opp 45Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 13 yds to the USC 32 for a 1ST down
9:401st & 10 at opp 32Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Cethan Carter for 17 yds to the USC 15 for a 1ST down
9:301st & 10 at opp 15Ameer Abdullah run for 1 yd to the USC 14
9:002nd & 9 at opp 14Ameer Abdullah run for 6 yds to the USC 8
8:293rd & 3 at opp 8NEBRASKA Penalty, Ineligible Downfield on Pass (-5 Yards) to the USC 13
8:293rd & 8 at opp 13NEBRASKA Penalty, False Start (Matt Finnin) to the USC 18
8:233rd & 13 at opp 18Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 18 yds for a TD, (Drew Brown KICK)Nebraska 10, USC 7
USC Field goal, 8 plays
8:183rd & 13 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 51 yds , JuJu Smith return for 20 yds to the USC 34
7:501st & 10 at own 34Cody Kessler pass complete to Bryce Dixon for 7 yds to the USC 41
7:382nd & 3 at own 41Cody Kessler pass complete to Javorius Allen for 16 yds to the Neb 43 for a 1ST down
7:381st & 10 at opp 43USC Penalty, False Start (Viane Talamaivao) to the Neb 48
7:051st & 15 at opp 48Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 4 yds to the Neb 44
6:502nd & 11 at opp 44Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 16 yds to the Neb 28 for a 1ST down
6:251st & 10 at opp 28Cody Kessler pass complete to George Farmer for 4 yds to the Neb 24
6:132nd & 6 at opp 24Cody Kessler pass incomplete to George Farmer
6:103rd & 6 at opp 24Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Randall Telfer
6:054th & 6 at opp 24Andre Heidari 42 yd FG GOODTied at 10
Nebraska Punt, 6 plays
5:594th & 6 at own 35Alex Wood kickoff for 61 yds , Ameer Abdullah return for 30 yds to the Neb 34
5:531st & 10 at own 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
5:482nd & 10 at own 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Kenny Bell
5:303rd & 10 at own 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 19 yds to the USC 47 for a 1ST down
5:191st & 10 at opp 47Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
5:102nd & 10 at opp 47Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 7 yds to the USC 40
4:423rd & 3 at opp 40Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Ameer Abdullah
4:354th & 3 at opp 40Sam Foltz punt for 35 yds, downed at the USC 5
USC Punt, 3 plays
4:301st & 10 at own 5Cody Kessler pass incomplete
4:212nd & 10 at own 5Cody Kessler pass incomplete
4:163rd & 10 at own 5Cody Kessler pass incomplete
4:164th & 10 at own 5USC Penalty, False Start (Adoree’ Jackson) to the USC 3
4:074th & 12 at own 3Kris Albarado punt for 36 yds, downed at the USC 39
Nebraska Touchdown, 6 plays
3:541st & 10 at opp 39Ameer Abdullah run for 7 yds to the USC 32
3:302nd & 3 at opp 32Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Brandon Reilly for 6 yds to the USC 26 for a 1ST down
2:561st & 10 at opp 26Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 7 yds to the USC 19
2:332nd & 3 at opp 19Armstrong Jr., Tommy pass incomplete, PENALTY USC roughing passer (Williams, Leonard) 10 yards to the USC9, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN NEBRASKA. for a 1ST down
2:001st & goal at opp 9Tommy Armstrong Jr. sacked by Leonard Williams for a loss of 10 yards to the USC 19 USC Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Leonard Williams) to the USC 9
1:351st & goal at opp 9Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for no gain to the USC 9
1:252nd & goal at opp 9Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 9 yds for a TD, (Drew Brown KICK)Nebraska 17, USC 10
USC Touchdown, 10 plays
1:252nd & 10 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 54 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 14 yds to the USC 25
1:001st & 10 at own 25Javorius Allen run for 4 yds to the USC 29
0:302nd & 6 at own 29Cody Kessler pass complete to Randall Telfer for a loss of 1 yard to the USC 28
0:003rd & 7 at own 28Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 18 yds to the USC 46 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:501st & 10 at own 46Javorius Allen run for 7 yds to the Neb 47
Q2 14:302nd & 3 at opp 47Javorius Allen run for 1 yd to the Neb 46
Q2 14:103rd & 2 at opp 46Javorius Allen run for 1 yd to the Neb 45
Q2 13:524th & 1 at opp 45Javorius Allen run for 3 yds to the Neb 42 for a 1ST down
Q2 13:361st & 10 at opp 42Javorius Allen run for 6 yds to the Neb 36
Q2 13:112nd & 4 at opp 36Cody Kessler pass complete to Randall Telfer for 19 yds to the Neb 17 for a 1ST down
Q2 13:111st & 10 at opp 17Timeout NEBRASKA, clock 13:11
Q2 13:111st & 10 at opp 17Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 17 yds for a TD, (Andre Heidari KICK)Tied at 17
2nd quarter8 drives, then USC 24, Nebraska 17
Nebraska Punt, 3 plays
13:111st & 10 at opp 35Alex Wood kickoff for 59 yds , Ameer Abdullah return for 41 yds to the USC 48
13:001st & 10 at opp 48Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
12:502nd & 10 at opp 48Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
12:503rd & 10 at opp 48NEBRASKA Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Neb 47
12:463rd & 15 at own 47Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
12:384th & 15 at own 47Sam Foltz punt for 45 yds , Nelson Agholor returns for 6 yds to the USC 14
USC Punt, 4 plays
12:261st & 10 at own 14Cody Kessler pass complete to JuJu Smith for 14 yds to the USC 28 for a 1ST down
12:101st & 10 at own 28Javorius Allen run for 2 yds to the USC 30
11:562nd & 8 at own 30Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Javorius Allen
11:303rd & 8 at own 30Cody Kessler sacked by Taariq Allen for a loss of 6 yards to the USC 24
11:134th & 14 at own 24Kris Albarado punt for 33 yds, downed at the Neb 43
Nebraska Punt, 3 plays
11:001st & 10 at own 43Ameer Abdullah run for 2 yds to the Neb 45
10:392nd & 8 at own 45Ameer Abdullah run for 1 yd to the Neb 46
10:173rd & 7 at own 46Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
10:114th & 7 at own 46Sam Foltz punt for 54 yds for a touchback
USC Touchdown, 12 plays
9:551st & 10 at own 20Cody Kessler pass complete to Adoree’ Jackson for 6 yds to the USC 26
9:272nd & 4 at own 26Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 14 yds to the USC 40 for a 1ST down
9:001st & 10 at own 40Cody Kessler pass complete to Darreus Rogers for a loss of 2 yards to the USC 38
8:432nd & 12 at own 38Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Javorius Allen
8:283rd & 12 at own 38Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 13 yds to the Neb 49 for a 1ST down
8:121st & 10 at opp 49Cody Kessler pass incomplete to George Farmer
8:002nd & 10 at opp 49Cody Kessler pass complete to Bryce Dixon for 5 yds to the Neb 44
7:303rd & 5 at opp 44Justin Davis run for 28 yds to the Neb 16 for a 1ST down
7:151st & 10 at opp 16Justin Davis run for 7 yds to the Neb 9
7:002nd & 3 at opp 9Javorius Allen run for 5 yds to the Neb 4 for a 1ST down
6:501st & goal at opp 4Javorius Allen run for 2 yds to the Neb 2
6:392nd & goal at opp 2Javorius Allen run for 2 yds for a TD, (Andre Heidari KICK)USC 24, Nebraska 17
Nebraska Punt, 3 plays
6:362nd & 8 at own 35Andre Heidari kickoff for 34 yds , Andy Janovich return for 11 yds to the Neb 42
6:271st & 10 at own 42Ameer Abdullah run for 2 yds to the Neb 44
6:112nd & 8 at own 44Ameer Abdullah run for no gain to the Neb 44
5:393rd & 8 at own 44Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Brandon Reilly
5:394th & 8 at own 44Sam Foltz punt for 38 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the USC 18
USC Interception, 3 plays
5:101st & 10 at own 18Cody Kessler run for 12 yds to the USC 30 for a 1ST down
4:521st & 10 at own 30Cody Kessler pass complete to Bryce Dixon for 12 yds to the USC 42 for a 1ST down
4:311st & 10 at own 42Cody Kessler pass intercepted Josh Mitchell return for no gain to the Neb 22
Nebraska Interception, 11 plays
4:241st & 10 at own 22Ameer Abdullah run for 2 yds to the Neb 24
3:502nd & 8 at own 24Ameer Abdullah run for a loss of 2 yards to the Neb 22
3:403rd & 10 at own 22Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 12 yds to the Neb 34 for a 1ST down
3:201st & 10 at own 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 17 yds to the USC 49 for a 1ST down
3:051st & 10 at opp 49Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
2:502nd & 10 at opp 49Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Ameer Abdullah for 9 yds to the USC 40
2:403rd & 1 at opp 40Terrell Newby run for 4 yds to the USC 36 for a 1ST down
2:331st & 10 at opp 36Timeout USC, clock 02:33
2:251st & 10 at opp 36Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 21 yds to the USC 15 for a 1ST down
2:101st & 10 at opp 15Tommy Armstrong Jr. sacked by Cody Temple for a loss of 6 yards to the USC 21
1:402nd & 16 at opp 21Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 8 yds to the USC 13
1:173rd & 8 at opp 13Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass intercepted Su’a Cravens return for no gain to the USC 12
USC End of half, 3 plays
0:401st & 10 at own 12Javorius Allen run for no gain to the USC 12
0:202nd & 10 at own 12Javorius Allen run for 18 yds to the USC 30 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at own 30Javorius Allen run for 1 yd to the USC 31
3rd quarter11 drives, then USC 45, Nebraska 34
USC Punt, 4 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 50 yds , JuJu Smith return for 11 yds to the USC 26
14:401st & 10 at own 26Javorius Allen run for 12 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
14:201st & 10 at own 38Javorius Allen run for 5 yds to the USC 43
14:112nd & 5 at own 43Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Bryce Dixon
13:553rd & 5 at own 43Nelson Agholor run for no gain to the USC 43 Nelson Agholor fumbled, recovered by USC Nelson Agholor
13:414th & 5 at own 43Kris Albarado punt for 53 yds, downed at the Neb 4
Nebraska Punt, 3 plays
13:201st & 10 at own 4Ameer Abdullah run for 1 yd to the Neb 5
13:022nd & 9 at own 5Ameer Abdullah run for 2 yds to the Neb 7
12:253rd & 7 at own 7Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Kenny Bell
12:134th & 7 at own 7Sam Foltz punt for 64 yds, downed at the USC 29
USC Touchdown, 1 play
12:011st & 10 at own 29Cody Kessler pass complete to Adoree’ Jackson for 71 yds for a TD, (Andre Heidari KICK)USC 31, Nebraska 17
Nebraska Touchdown, 7 plays
12:011st & 10 at own 35Andre Heidari kickoff for 58 yds , De’Mornay Pierson-El return for 20 yds to the Neb 27
11:451st & 10 at own 27Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Brandon Reilly for 11 yds to the Neb 38 for a 1ST down
11:301st & 10 at own 38Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 17 yds to the USC 45 for a 1ST down
11:151st & 10 at opp 45Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 14 yds to the USC 31 for a 1ST down
10:501st & 10 at opp 31Ameer Abdullah run for 3 yds to the USC 28
10:202nd & 7 at opp 28Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 3 yds to the USC 25
9:553rd & 4 at opp 25Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 5 yds to the USC 20 for a 1ST down
9:411st & 10 at opp 20Ameer Abdullah run for 20 yds for a TD, (Drew Brown KICK)USC 31, Nebraska 24
USC Touchdown, 5 plays
9:411st & 10 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 45 yds , JuJu Smith return for 12 yds to the USC 32
9:151st & 10 at own 32Javorius Allen run for 3 yds to the USC 35
8:552nd & 7 at own 35Javorius Allen run for 9 yds to the USC 44 for a 1ST down
8:401st & 10 at own 44Cody Kessler pass complete to Darreus Rogers for 12 yds to the Neb 44 for a 1ST down
8:251st & 10 at opp 44Cody Kessler pass incomplete to JuJu Smith
8:062nd & 10 at opp 44Javorius Allen run for 44 yds for a TD, (Andre Heidari KICK)USC 38, Nebraska 24
Nebraska Punt, 3 plays
8:002nd & 10 at own 35Andre Heidari kickoff for 46 yds , De’Mornay Pierson-El return for 13 yds to the Neb 32
7:451st & 10 at own 32Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Terrell Newby for 2 yds to the Neb 34
7:152nd & 8 at own 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 2 yds to the Neb 36
6:413rd & 6 at own 36Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Ameer Abdullah
6:354th & 6 at own 36Sam Foltz punt for 37 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the USC 27
USC Punt, 3 plays
6:291st & 10 at own 27Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Adoree’ Jackson
6:002nd & 10 at own 27Justin Davis run for 6 yds to the USC 33
5:533rd & 4 at own 33Cody Kessler pass incomplete to JuJu Smith
5:534th & 4 at own 33Kris Albarado punt blocked by Kieron Williams blocked by Kieron Williams
Nebraska Field goal, 6 plays
5:151st & 10 at opp 16USC Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the USC 11
4:501st & 5 at opp 11Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Terrell Newby for 2 yds to the USC 9
4:302nd & 3 at opp 9Ameer Abdullah run for 5 yds to the USC 4 for a 1ST down
4:001st & goal at opp 4Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 1 yd to the USC 3
3:402nd & goal at opp 3Ameer Abdullah sacked by Anthony Sarao for a loss of 7 yards to the USC 10
3:203rd & goal at opp 10Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 8 yds to the USC 2
2:354th & 0 at opp 2NEBRASKA Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the USC 7
2:284th & goal at opp 7Drew Brown 24 yd FG GOODUSC 38, Nebraska 27
USC Touchdown, 2 plays
2:244th & 13 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 49 yds , Adoree’ Jackson return for 19 yds to the USC 35
2:101st & 10 at own 35Cody Kessler pass complete to JuJu Smith for 45 yds to the Neb 20 for a 1ST down
2:031st & 10 at opp 20Cody Kessler pass complete to Bryce Dixon for 20 yds for a TD, (Andre Heidari KICK)USC 45, Nebraska 27
Nebraska Touchdown, 4 plays
2:031st & 10 at opp 35Andre Heidari kickoff for 39 yds , Andy Janovich return for 10 yds to the Neb 45 NEBRASKA Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15 Yards) to the Neb 21
1:151st & 10 at own 21Ameer Abdullah run for 1 yd to the Neb 22
0:452nd & 9 at own 22Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Ameer Abdullah for 14 yds to the Neb 36 for a 1ST down
0:351st & 10 at own 36Ameer Abdullah run for a loss of 1 yard to the Neb 35
0:242nd & 11 at own 35Jordan Westerkamp 65 Yd pass from Tommy Armstrong Jr. (Drew Brown Kick)USC 45, Nebraska 34
USC Punt, 3 plays
0:242nd & 11 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 63 yds , JuJu Smith return for 16 yds to the USC 18
0:001st & 10 at own 18Justin Davis run for 4 yds to the USC 22
Q4 14:452nd & 6 at own 22Cody Kessler pass complete to Adoree’ Jackson for a loss of 4 yards to the USC 18
Q4 14:303rd & 10 at own 18Cody Kessler pass incomplete
Q4 14:154th & 10 at own 18Kris Albarado punt for 38 yds, fair catch by De’Mornay Pierson-El at the Neb 44
4th quarter7 drives, then USC 45, Nebraska 42
Nebraska Turnover on downs, 6 plays
14:051st & 10 at own 44Ameer Abdullah run for 3 yds to the Neb 47
13:452nd & 7 at own 47Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to De’Mornay Pierson-El for 15 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
13:201st & 10 at opp 38Ameer Abdullah run for 5 yds to the USC 33
12:352nd & 5 at opp 33Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Ameer Abdullah for 2 yds to the USC 31
12:193rd & 3 at opp 31Timeout NEBRASKA, clock 12:19
12:053rd & 3 at opp 31Ameer Abdullah run for 2 yds to the USC 29
11:504th & 1 at opp 29NEBRASKA Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the USC 34
11:394th & 6 at opp 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 5 yds to the USC 29
USC Punt, 3 plays
11:201st & 10 at own 29Javorius Allen run for 1 yd to the USC 30
10:402nd & 9 at own 30Javorius Allen run for no gain to the USC 30
9:543rd & 9 at own 30Cody Kessler pass complete to Nelson Agholor for 8 yds to the USC 38
9:434th & 1 at own 38Kris Albarado punt for 39 yds, fair catch by De’Mornay Pierson-El at the Neb 23
Nebraska Touchdown, 9 plays
9:301st & 10 at own 23Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Kenny Bell for 5 yds to the Neb 28
9:152nd & 5 at own 28Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to Kenny Bell
8:503rd & 5 at own 28Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Ameer Abdullah for 33 yds to the USC 39 for a 1ST down
8:301st & 10 at opp 39Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Cethan Carter for 8 yds to the USC 31
8:152nd & 2 at opp 31Terrell Newby run for 8 yds to the USC 23 for a 1ST down
7:501st & 10 at opp 23Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Jordan Westerkamp for 5 yds to the USC 18
7:402nd & 5 at opp 18Terrell Newby run for 3 yds to the USC 15
7:253rd & 2 at opp 15Terrell Newby run for no gain to the USC 15
6:524th & 2 at opp 15Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 15 yds for a TD, (Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass to Kenny Bell for Two-Point Conversion)USC 45, Nebraska 42
USC Punt, 3 plays
6:524th & 2 at own 35Drew Brown kickoff for 45 yds , JuJu Smith return for 22 yds to the USC 42
6:301st & 10 at own 42Cody Kessler pass incomplete to Nelson Agholor
6:152nd & 10 at own 42Javorius Allen run for 2 yds to the USC 44
5:303rd & 8 at own 44Cody Kessler sacked by Kevin Williams for a loss of 9 yards to the USC 35
5:194th & 17 at own 35Kris Albarado punt for 39 yds, downed at the Neb 26
Nebraska Turnover on downs, 8 plays
5:081st & 10 at own 26Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Jordan Westerkamp for 11 yds to the Neb 37 for a 1ST down
4:501st & 10 at own 37Ameer Abdullah run for 10 yds to the Neb 47 for a 1ST down
4:301st & 10 at own 47Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Brandon Reilly for 7 yds to the USC 46
4:152nd & 3 at opp 46Ameer Abdullah run for 8 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
3:451st & 10 at opp 38Tommy Armstrong Jr. run for 2 yds to the USC 36
3:002nd & 8 at opp 36Ameer Abdullah run for 5 yds to the USC 31
2:393rd & 3 at opp 31Timeout NEBRASKA, clock 02:39
2:353rd & 3 at opp 31Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete to De’Mornay Pierson-El
2:314th & 3 at opp 31De’Mornay Pierson-El run for 1 yd to the USC 30
USC Punt, 4 plays
2:241st & 10 at own 30Javorius Allen run for 14 yds to the USC 44 for a 1ST down
1:531st & 10 at own 44Javorius Allen run for 3 yds to the USC 47
1:532nd & 7 at own 47Timeout NEBRASKA, clock 01:53
1:442nd & 7 at own 47Javorius Allen run for 4 yds to the Neb 49
0:553rd & 3 at opp 49Javorius Allen run for 1 yd to the Neb 48
0:264th & 2 at opp 48USC Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the USC 47
0:264th & 7 at own 47Timeout USC, clock 00:26
0:194th & 7 at own 47Kris Albarado punt for 43 yds , De’Mornay Pierson-El returns for 7 yds to the NEBRASKA 46 USC Penalty, Personal Foul (-15 Yards) to the Neb 32
Nebraska End of game, 4 plays
0:191st & 10 at own 32NEBRASKA Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Neb 27
0:131st & 15 at own 27Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete
0:092nd & 15 at own 27Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Ameer Abdullah for 7 yds to the Neb 34
0:013rd & 8 at own 34Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass complete to Brandon Reilly for 12 yds to the Neb 44 for a 1ST down lat. to Kenny Bell for a loss of 2 yards to the Neb 44 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at own 44Tommy Armstrong Jr. pass incomplete

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Nebraska–USC game

USC leads 6–⁠0–⁠1 in seven meetings, counting the two since this game.

Recent meetings
2025USC 21, Nebraska 17
2024USC 28, Nebraska 20
2014USC 45, Nebraska 42Holiday Bowl
2007USC 49, Nebraska 31
2006USC 28, Nebraska 10
1970Nebraska 21, USC 21

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