Ohio State Upset By USC, Box Score Stats & Highlights for Jeremiah Smith, Jayden Maiava, Top Players

The absence of former Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin could prove costly for the No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and Jeremiah Smith after they fell 30-18 to Jayden Maiava and the unranked USC Trojans on Saturday night.

Despite being without their starting quarterback, Ohio State entered Saturday's road matchup as a 6.5-point favorite over the Trojans, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Sayin has been sidelined indefinitely with an injury to his right throwing arm, which he suffered against Indiana on Oct. 17.

True freshman Luke Fahey got the start in place of the injured Sayin on Saturday, making his first career start. He finished Ohio State's 19-15 win over Indiana after subbing out just over halfway through the fourth quarter as the Buckeyes primarily relied on the ground game. Fahey finished 0-of-2 passing.

The Trojans bounced back from a 24-7 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers last week, improving to 7-2 with the win.

(20) Northwestern: 3-2 (CONF), 6-2 (OVR)

The Trojans found the end zone first, scoring in just 39 seconds on the opening possession on a 69-yard pass from Maiava to Trent Mosley. Running back Waymond Jordan added a 9-yard rushing touchdown to give USC a 14-3 lead after the first quarter.

USC maintained its lead through halftime despite King Miller losing a fumble. The Trojans added two field goals while holding the Buckeyes out of the end zone. Ohio State also notched two field goals but trailed 20-9 at the break.

Coming out of halftime, it was Ohio State's turn to lose a fumble, as running back Isaiah West lost the ball after a reception from Fahey. The turnover set up a short drive for USC, which ended with a Miller rushing touchdown, extending the Trojan's lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Buckeyes attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, holding the Trojans to three points while adding a field goal and a touchdown pass from Fahey to Smith. The touchdown was Smith's first of the game and made him the Big Ten's all-time receiving touchdown leader. However, the rally came too late, as Ohio State fell 30-18.

Ohio State will host the Oregon Ducks next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, while USC will hit the road to face the Indiana Hoosiers at a time to be determined.