Washington vs. USC Recap: Trojans Rally, Maiava and Miller Cash

USC beat Washington 25-21 at home after trailing from late in the first quarter until late in the third. Washington led 14-10 at halftime and went up 21-10 on a two-play drive early in the third quarter, capped by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Demond Williams Jr. to Decker DeGraaf. USC answered with 15 straight points: a 13-play touchdown drive, a 48-yard fumble return by Jahkeem Stewart and a 39-yard Caden Chittenden field goal. Three DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

USC ML (-360 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: Washington's backfield was down to freshmen and a fumble-prone sixth-year back, and Jayden Maiava had 1,499 yards and 14 touchdowns through four games.
• What happened: This one was close. The fumble Stewart returned for a score was Washington's only turnover, and it flipped a 21-16 deficit into a 22-21 USC lead. Chittenden's field goal capped a 16-play, 77-yard drive that ate 7:59. Washington's last drive went 15 plays and 77 yards and reached the USC 12, but a sack and a fourth-down incompletion ended it on downs.
• Worth watching: Washington went 1 of 12 on third downs and still nearly won. A favorite's moneyline at this price can get tested even when the underlying numbers lean its way.

ALT: Jayden Maiava 240+ passing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Maiava had thrown for 261 or more in all five games (286, 349, 261, 277, 326) and was not on USC's injury report. The total was 58.5.
• What happened: Maiava went 21 of 34 passing with 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception, 5.5 yards over the line. This one went late. He had 143 yards at halftime, and a 3-yard loss on a throw to Waymond Jordan in the fourth quarter left him at 233. His 12-yard completion to Ethan Feaster midway through the fourth put him over. His biggest throw was a 40-yarder to Zacharyus Williams that set up Jordan's 8-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
• Worth watching: Maiava has now cleared 240 in all six games, but this was his closest call. An alt set below his usual output gave just enough cushion.

ALT: King Miller 50+ rushing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Miller had 63, 45, 128, 102 and 74 rushing yards on 13-18 carries a game, 50 or more in four of five. As an 8.5-point home favorite, USC figured to feed him in the second half.
• What happened: Miller ran 18 times for 81 yards, 31.5 over the line. He did most of the work early: a 35-yard run on USC's opening drive got him to 46, and he had 49 yards on five first-quarter carries. A 2-yard run early in the second quarter put him over. He also caught a 12-yard pass.
• Worth watching: Miller got 18 carries in a game USC trailed for most of the third quarter. Steady volume like that is what keeps a lower rushing alt in play.

How the game played out

USC's offense stalled for long stretches, with a first-quarter interception and three punts in the first half. Penalties were heavy on both sides: Washington was flagged 10 times for 74 yards and USC 9 times for 94. Tanook Hines caught the 10-yard touchdown that started the comeback, and both of USC's third-quarter two-point tries failed.

Trends to watch

• Zacharyus Williams led USC with 78 receiving yards on 4 catches, with a long of 40.
• Brian Bonner Jr. carried 19 times for 89 yards for Washington, with a long of 16.
• USC held the ball for 34:58, helped by two long scoring drives in the second half.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these markets? Read up on the alt line and the moneyline, or see more at the college football hub.