LOS ANGELES — The Coliseum crowd booed Southern California off the field at halftime Saturday after the Trojans committed three turnovers, struggled with defensive stops against Wisconsin and generally played like a team not ready for the Big Ten.

Although they couldn’t contradict the feelings of their fans, the Trojans are already very good at adjusting at halftime – and they had plenty of time to rally for a breakthrough win.

Miller Moss threw two of his three touchdown passes to Ja’Kobi Lane, and No. 13 USC rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to win 38-21 over Wisconsin in the Trojans’ first Big Ten home game.

A week after USC (3-1, 1-1) narrowly lost its Big Ten debut at Michigan despite erasing a double-digit deficit in the second half, it again struggled early. The Trojans then outscored Wisconsin 28-0 in the second half in their school’s first Big Ten win.

“We knew we could compete in this conference, but now you have to win and play well,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “After last week ended … and the first half went the way it did, (but) to come back and play so well, it just says a lot about the character of the guys in this room. “They’re going to fight . They’re not going anywhere. We’re not panicking.”

Lane set a career high with 10 receptions for 105 yards, while Duce Robinson scored the Trojans’ go-ahead touchdown with 1:28 left in the third quarter on another sharp throw from Moss, who passed for 308 yards.

Moss was evaluated for a concussion after he hit the ground awkwardly with 8:22 to play while rushing for a 7-yard touchdown on a fourth-down keeper, but he stayed in. USC linebacker Mason Cobb then returned an interception 55 yards for a TD with 5:04 left to seal it.

“That will be our identity as a team for the rest of the year,” Cobb said. “We just keep swinging. Keep swinging until the clock runs out.”

Vinny Anthony caught an early 63-yard TD pass from Braedyn Locke for the Badgers (2-2, 0-1), who have lost two straight. The Badgers have lost 13 of their last 15 games against ranked teams, going 0-4 under coach Luke Fickell.

Tawee Walker rushed for two touchdowns, but Wisconsin faded badly in the second half of its first game at the Coliseum since 1966.

“Obviously you can’t go on the road and play two completely different halves and think you’re going to get a win over anyone, let alone a top-10, top-15 program,” Fickell said. “In the second.” They made all the plays in the half – in the third period, on both sides of the ball.”

Locke completed 13 of 26 yards for 180 yards in his first start of the season after Tyler Van Dyke tore knee ligaments in the Badgers’ upset loss to Alabama two weeks ago. Wisconsin managed just 82 yards but was sent off after halftime.

“I thought we attacked the ball great in the first half,” Badgers safety Preston Zachman said. “And then in the second half we just didn’t win. I mean, there’s no big coaching reason. Sometimes, when it’s one-on-one, you have to win. You find a way to win.”

USC speedster Zachariah Branch thwarted a punt early in the second quarter, and Walker rushed 18 yards for a touchdown on the next snap. After Walker scored again eight minutes later, Moss fumbled while being hit deep in Badgers territory.

But the Trojans recovered a botched punt early in the third quarter and Lane caught a 6-yard touchdown pass a few minutes later. Robinson caught two big passes during the Trojans’ first scoring drive, including an 8-yard TD toss from Moss on a total blitz.

Moss then capped off a 77-yard drive-by Holding the ball on fourth down and scored despite flying into the air and landing on the turf after a Badgers hit.

“When you fly, sometimes you see things,” Moss said. “I’m completely fine. They just wanted to be sure.”

The takeaway food

Wisconsin: The first half was encouraging, but the Badgers were outscored 49-7 in the final two second halves. A Big Ten title game seems unlikely this year unless they can add more explosiveness on both sides. The Badgers finished with just 286 yards of offense.

USC: The Trojans had both bad and bad luck in the first half, but this team is miles ahead of last season’s group, and their second-half surge was perhaps their most impressive performance in the last two years under Riley. Moss is growing into his role and the USC defense is remarkably tenacious.

Impact on the survey

The Trojans only slipped two spots after the loss to Michigan and should stay in the same range after this rally.

Next

Wisconsin: Host Purdue on Saturday, October 5.

USC: At Minnesota on Saturday, October 5th.

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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football