USC Ends Road Losing Streak with 33-17 Big Ten Win at Purdue

USC football overcame a three-hour weather delay and a slow start to secure a 33-17 victory over Purdue in their Big Ten Conference opener, marking their first road win in the Eastern time zone since 2012 and snapping a 14-game losing streak in Eastern and Central time zones. Despite allowing Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne to throw for over 300 yards, USC demonstrated strong clock management and resilience, particularly in the fourth quarter, where safety Bishop Fitzgerald's crucial interception helped seal the game. The Trojans' running game, led by Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, was instrumental in controlling the clock during the final drive, reflecting improvements from last season when the team struggled to maintain leads on the road. Defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett also made a significant impact with a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown. While USC's offense was held to a season-low point total, the team showed growth in overcoming past fourth-quarter breakdowns, signaling a potentially more composed and effective squad under coach Lincoln Riley. Purdue, despite competitive moments and exceeding last year's win total, could not capitalize on red-zone opportunities and turnovers, falling to 0-1 in Big Ten play.