Rutgers football misses big opportunity vs USC | Instant analysis

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Rutgers football misses big opportunity vs USC | Instant analysis

Chris Iseman, Asbury Park Press · App.com | Asbury Park Press

Sat, Sep 19, 2026 ·

4 min read

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PISCATAWAY – The chance was there for Rutgers football , an opportunity to pull off what would've been a major upset of No. 12 USC and restore some optimism into what's been a difficult start to the season.

But the Scarlet Knights couldn't get it done.

Greg Schiano's team put up a fight against the Trojans, far more so than anyone expected coming into the day but ultimately fell 42-35 to USC at SHI Stadium.

"I'm very disappointed for our players and our coaches and our fans," Schiano said afterwards. "There are no moral victories. I don't want to hear about that. That doesn't apply. We fully expected to win this game. It hurts that we didn't."

The Scarlet Knights , who had 460 total yards of offense, are now 0-3 to start the season after previously losing to UMass and Boston College .

This momentum-shifting game included a little bit of everything – big plays, big mistakes, fourth-down stops and a wild fake punt that helped spark Rutgers to a touchdown.

"I think it speaks to what kind of team we are," said wide receiver KJ Duff , who had seven catches for 86 yards with one touchdown. "But like Coach talked to us about in the locker room, there are no moral victories. But it definitely showed us where we're at. Like we said originally, we have to bounce back and keep going."

Rutgers football shows spark with fake punt that leads to TD vs. No. 11 USC

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Dylan Lonergan (12) throws the ball during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

But it also included more interceptions by quarterback Dylan Lonergan , who was back healthy after missing the previous week's game against Boston College due to injury.

Trailing by six early in the third quarter, Rutgers had first-and-goal at the 9 when Lonergan, who finished 18-of-36 for 252 yards, threw a pass intended for Jourdin Houston. But USC's Prophet Brown picked it off at the 1 and ran it 99 yards into the end zone for a touchdown that put the Trojans up 13.

It killed a prime chance for the Scarlet Knights – the type of chance they needed to capitalize on to take down a ranked team.

"Bad read on my part," Lonergan said. "Got to take better care of the ball. Got to turn it down when (the play's) not there."

That was Lonergan's second interception of the game. He threw one on Rutgers' second offensive play of the game, and USC needed just two plays to get into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Scarlet Knights overcame that one.

"It's just unacceptable what I'm doing with the ball so far this year," Lonergan said. "I've got to get better at that and I will."

The 99-yard pick six was tougher to overcome, which is unfortunate for Rutgers because it played well enough to win this game.

Schiano tried everything, including a fake punt late in the second quarter.

The Scarlet Knights had fourth-and-21 at their own 16 when punter Jakob Anderson took the snap and threw a pass to Jesse Ofurie for a 40-yard gain.

A few plays later Lonergan hit Elias Coke for a 16-yard touchdown pass to cut Rutgers' deficit to 17-14.

Yet as close as the Scarlet Knights came, they couldn't get the lead on USC.

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver KJ Duff (8) makes a catchas USC Trojans cornerback Chasen Johnson (27) defends during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans running back Deshonne Redeaux (6) breaks a tackle by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kevyn Humes (4) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Jesse Ofurie (16) catches the ball a pass on a fake punt during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Farell Gnago (90) celebrates after a stop with defensive back Kevyn Humes (4) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after a Scarlet Knights touchdown during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Corey Simms (10) scores on a touchdown reception during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights cheer members perform during the first half of the game between the Scarlet Knights and the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Elias Coke (13) celebrates his touchdown reception during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano, left, with teammates USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans running back Waymond Jordan (2) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) drops back to pass during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Xavier Stearn (17) warms up before the game against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Brian Leonard, captain of Rutgers' 2006 football team, waves to fans at SHI Stadium during a reunion of that beloved squad
(Ben Solomon / Rutgers Athletics)

Hundreds gathered for the pre-game festivities before the Rutgers University vs. USC game on Sept. 19 in Piscataway.
(Alexander Lewis/MyCentralJersey., USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Even Rutgers' defense showed progress with some key stops − despite giving up 461 total yards of offense.

USC had fourth-and-4 at the Rutgers 17 early in the fourth quarter and went for it, but Jayden Maiava , who was 20-of-32 for 277 yards, hit Corey Simms with a pass – Kevyn Humes and DK Gilley brought Simms down two yards short for a turnover on downs.

But on its ensuing possession, Rutgers had fourth-and-1 at its own 24 and went for it.

Antwan Raymond , who had 122 rushing yards on 21 carries with one touchdown, took the direct snap out of the shotgun and USC's defense stopped him for no gain and a turnover on downs.

The Trojans responded on their ensuing possession with a touchdown that gave them a 42-28 lead.

It was that type of game for Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights did a lot well. Just not enough.

The fact they stayed competitive with USC was a sign of progress.

This was also a missed opportunity.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football misses big opportunity vs USC | Instant analysis

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