Kalel Mullings saved Michigan.

Mullings scored on a fourth-and-goal with 37 seconds left to give the No. 18 Wolverines a 27-24 victory over No. 11 USC.

Mullings’ TD came after he broke off a 63-yard run to jump-start a Michigan offense that had been completely lifeless in the second half. The Wolverines had been completely unable to move the ball after the first quarter, but they did just enough after Mullings’ big run.

USC used its final two timeouts as Michigan approached the end zone, so the Trojans were forced to work the sideline after getting the ball back. But Miller Moss’ fourth-down pass with eight seconds left was completed just before the line to win.

USC’s big second half

The Trojans trailed 14-3 at halftime, but scored 21 points in the second half to take the lead for the first time. The Trojans took a 24-20 lead with 7:01 left when Moss found Ja’Kobi Lane for a 24-yard TD between Michigan defenders.

The pass was Moss’ third TD throw of the game. His second came late in the third quarter to a wide-open Jay Fair two plays after Moss had fumbled on third down. Moss’ fumble was picked off by Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, but Grant was stripped by USC RB Woody Marks as he ran off the field.

The consecutive fumbles ultimately cost Michigan at least four points. If Moss’ arm had gone forward, USC would have kicked a field goal. Instead, the TD cut Michigan’s lead to 20-17.

Moss, however, didn’t have much success against Michigan’s pass defense, throwing a pick-6 to Will Johnson and going just 28-of-51 passing for 283 yards.

Michigan still doesn’t have a passing game

The Wolverines made a QB change for Saturday’s game, with Alex Orji replacing Davis Warren. Orji threw just six passes in Michigan’s first three games and had not established himself as an effective passer.

That trend continued against USC. Orji was 7-of-12 passing for 32 yards.

Once Orji was named the starter, it was clear that Michigan’s offensive game plan would be to run, run, run against the Trojans. Michigan rushed 46 times for 290 yards and three scores. But the offense desperately needs the threat of a passing game.

Between a 96-yard first quarter and the game-winning drive Mullings sparked, Michigan’s offense was stuck in neutral. USC knew the downfield passing option was virtually nonexistent and played accordingly.

Thanks to his 63-yard run, Mullings finished the game with 17 carries for 159 yards and two TDs, while Donovan Edwards had 14 carries for 74 yards and a score. However, Edwards had a key fumble that set up USC’s go-ahead score.

With a Minnesota team that also likes to run the ball heading into Week 5, it seems likely that Michigan will retain Orji as QB. But it’s easy to wonder how successful Michigan can be all season with such a one-dimensional offense.

USC, meanwhile, missed a golden opportunity to pull off a statement win in its first-ever Big Ten game. The Trojans were pushed out in front by the Wolverines in the first half before finding their groove.