The No. 3/3 USC Trojans used a 14 play, 86-yard drive to score the winning touchdown with 1:05 remaining to defeat the No. 8/7 Ohio State Buckeyes 18-15 Saturday night in Ohio Stadium. USC’s title hopes remain, while Ohio State’s took a serious hit.

Joe McKnight was huge on the final drive for the Trojans. He gashed the Buckeyes defense on run plays to get USC into position for the touchdown. Stafon Johnson punched it in from two yards out for his second touchdown, by bouncing the ball outside, putting USC up 16-10.

McKnight then ran the two-point conversion in and the defense forced Ohio State to go four-and-out to preserve the 18-10 win. McKnight rushed 16 times for 60 yards and caught two passes for 45 yards.

Terrell Pryor did not play well for Ohio State (1-1). On the third play of the game, Pryor was picked off by Chris Galippo, who returned it to the Buckeyes two-yard line.

Johnson would score on a fourth and goal to put USC (2-0) on top 7-0.

Pryor rebounded on the second drive to lead Ohio State on a six play, 72-yard drive to tie the score at seven. Dan Herron capped it off with a two-yard touchdown run.

At the beginning of the second quarter Ohio State kicked a field goal to make it 10-7. USC would tie it with a field goal as time expired in the first half.

The Buckeyes took the lead when USC was forced to punt for the second time in the second half. On the play, the snap was high and went through the hands of punter Billy O’Malley and through the back of the end zone for a safety.

The ensuing drive saw the Buckeyes kick a field goal to make it 15-10.

Pryor and Ohio State had two more series, after USC punts, to try to put the game away but could not sustain a point-scoring drive. That left the door open for USC’s final drive.

True freshman QB Matt Barkley did not overwhelm with his play in the win. He went 15 for 31 for 195 yards and an interception. He did just enough and was poised on the final drive to help lead the Trojans to victory.

Pryor did not play like the QB talent everyone says he is. It was easy to see he is a talented athlete, but his QB skills are not near where they need to be for Ohio State. He went 11 for 25 for 177 yards and an interception. USC was able to keep his legs in check as well. He rushed 10 times for 36 yards.

At the end of the night in Columbus, USC left with the confidence that they are National Title contenders even though it looked like the Buckeyes were finally going to win a big game.