Halloween Nightmare: Buckeyes Fall to USC, 30–18

The October 31 date of this game is fitting because the outcome was hideous and scary.

In the first half, the Buckeyes kept knocking on USC's door, but the Trojans weren’t handing out touchdowns. Ohio State made three trips to the candy bowl and came away with nothing but three measly field goals. Meanwhile, the Buckeye defense left the front door wide open, and USC helped themselves to all the bite-sized Snickers bars.

Going into the game, the concern was how the Buckeyes’ offense would operate without injured quarterback Julian Sayin. Issues were obvious, but his backup, Luke Fahey, held his own. However, USC’s defensive scheme was obviously easier in the absence of the 2025 Heisman finalist. The Buckeyes’ defense, typically solid, took more tricks than treats.

At halftime, USC led 20-9.

But in the second half, Ohio State turned everything around. Right? Nope. Penalty flags fell just like the rare California raindrops as the Buckeyes imploded. Down 18 in the third quarter after USC freshman tight end Mark Bowman put on his Superman costume, leapt and pushed Buckeyes defenders on a 70-yard completion that eventually led to a 27-9 deficit, OSU continued to run the football.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

A fourth Connor Hawkins field goal made the score 27-12 early in the fourth quarter.

The Buckeyes forced a punt on the Trojans’ next possession and had 13:21 remaining to find the house that passes out full-size Fast Break candy bars. But all they found was off brand candy corn.

After another USC punt, Ohio State was suddenly aware the clock was counting down.

Under five minutes.

Devin McCuin and Jeremiah Smith, who was mostly quiet in the game due to the absence of Sayin, moved OSU to the USC 5-yard line. Then, the Buckeyes’ 11th penalty of the game pushed them back five yards. 3:22 remained. Fahey scrambled for a first down to the USC ½-yard line.

Two plays later, Smith set the all-time Big Ten receiving touchdowns record. USC 27 OSU 18.

But, instead of kicking the extra point to make the score 27-19, the Buckeyes went for the two-point conversion and failed, resulting in a two-possession deficit that essentially ensured the loss with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

USC later kicked a field goal to cap the scoring at 30-18.

This second loss, while not a dagger, puts this team in a critical position with four remaining games. Another loss, while maybe not a death knock in the 12-team playoff era, would certainly make sleeping at night difficult for Ryan Day, Buckeyes players and coaches, and us fans.

Give USC credit, too. The Trojans didn't merely wait for Ohio State to make mistakes. They created problems the Buckeyes never figured out how to solve.

Penalties, man. We must stop dressing up as illegal formations, holds, and false starts. Not having Sayin is a tough break, but it has to be dealt with Problem/Solution style. Losing Ja’Kobi Jackson hurts, too, although Isaiah West complemented Bo Jackson well in the running game.

Here's the most frustrating part. Ohio State actually outgained USC, 444 yards to 339. And still lost by twelve. The Buckeyes could move the football. They just couldn't consistently finish what they started.

Julian Sayin can't fix the defense from the sideline, and no quarterback can erase eleven penalties.

The Buckeyes still have enough talent to make a playoff run. But talent won't mean much if they continue making the same mistakes.

The question isn't whether Ohio State can survive without Sayin. It's whether this team can adjust before it's too late.

After watching this Halloween nightmare, I'm not convinced.

O – H!