Instant analysis | Rutgers football misses big opportunity vs USC

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.

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.

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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 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.

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.

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.

Even Rutgers’ defense showed progress with some key stops.

USC had fourth-and-4 at the Rutgers 17 early in the fourth quarter and went for it, but Jayden Maiava 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 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: Instant analysis | Rutgers football misses big opportunity vs USC