USC running back Woody Marks threw into the end zone with eight seconds left to give the No. 23 Trojans a 27-20 victory over No. 13 LSU on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

The Trojans got the ball back with 1:47 left after LSU tied the game with a Damien Ramos field goal. USC drove calmly down the field despite having only one timeout and had a chance for the winning score when Miller Moss found Kyron Hudson on the sideline with 13 seconds left.

Hudson was hit inside the 30 and LSU’s Jardin Gilbert was flagged for targeting on the hit. Gilbert’s helmet-to-helmet contact moved the ball inside the 20 and set up Marks’ 14-yard TD as it appeared USC would be playing for a game-winning field goal attempt.

LSU had one final chance after Marks’ touchdown, but QB Garrett Nussmeier was intercepted by Mason Cobb on the Tigers’ first play.

LSU has lost five straight games in Week 1

It seems too unlikely to be true, but Sunday night’s loss marks LSU’s fifth straight Week 1 defeat since the Tigers went undefeated en route to a national title in 2019.

LSU opened the 2020 season with a 44-34 loss at home to Mississippi State and followed that up with a 38-27 loss at UCLA to start the 2021 season. The first game of the Brian Kelly era began with a missed extra point and a 24-23 loss to Florida State in New Orleans, and the Seminoles defeated the Tigers again by 21 points in 2023 en route to an undefeated season.

The Tigers have big games scheduled for Week 1 thanks to the huge paydays that come with neutral-site games and the increased importance of the College Football Playoff on non-conference victories. With the playoff expanded to 12 teams this season, LSU is far from out of playoff contention. And there are plenty of good things to take away from the game for Tiger fans.

Nussmeier showed he’s a worthy successor to 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels when he completed 29 of 38 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Nussmeier immediately clicked with star receiver Kyren Lacy (seven catches for 94 yards) and looked calm and decisive in the pocket.

The Tigers’ defense wasn’t overwhelmed, either. LSU had three first-round draft picks on offense last season, but wasn’t a factor in the SEC title because of a defense that gave up six yards per play. The secondary still needs some work, but the unit showed promise in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s first game as manager. USC rushed for just 69 yards, though Moss threw for 378 yards on just 37 pass attempts.

USC achieves a statement victory

The Trojans also made a change at defensive coordinator this offseason after firing Alex Grinch during the 2023 season. USC hired UCLA coordinator D’Anton Lynn to lead the defense this offseason, and the change in coordinator was evident on Sunday. The Trojans looked much more physical and were much better tacklers than they have been in recent seasons. Yes, LSU mustered up 421 yards of offense, but it was a solid first outing for USC’s defense.

Moss also appeared to be a worthy successor to 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams. Moss threw six touchdowns in his first start in last season’s Holiday Bowl and completed passes to 10 different players on Sunday night.

Given the way USC’s defense has looked, you can’t blame Trojan fans for thinking about the College Football Playoff in USC’s first season in the Big Ten. And we’ll find out soon enough whether USC can make the playoffs. The Trojans play at Michigan in three weeks before also playing Wisconsin and Penn State in the first five games of the season.