USC defeats No. 15 Michigan 31-13 as Miller leads ground game

LOS ANGELES — Southern California beat No. 15 Michigan 31-13 on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, handing the Wolverines their second loss of the season and producing a statement win for the Trojans as both teams jockey for position in the Big Ten and beyond.

USC rode a dominant second half ground attack and efficient quarterback play to the victory. Freshman walkon King Miller rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown, and Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 32 passes for 265 yards and two scores. Makai Lemon supplied a highlight 12-yard touchdown catch just before halftime. The Trojans finished with 489 total yards, including 224 on the ground, while Michigan managed 207 passing yards and 109 rushing.

Michigan’s offense struggled to find consistency, and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was 15 of 24 for 207 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The Wolverines’ top running back, Justice Haynes, exited in the second quarter with an abdominal injury and did not return. Michigan converted just two of nine third-down opportunities and was held to 17 first downs.

The game featured a flurry of injuries that reshaped both rosters. USC lost starting backs Waymond...