Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

USC coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Matt Barkley celebrate as they leave the field following the No. 3 Trojans' 18-15 victory over No. 8 Ohio State on Saturday night.

Pryor made some plays for Ohio State with his arm and his legs, throwing for 177 yards and running for 36 in a game dominated by defense and field position.

“We should have beat them,” Pryor said. “Point blank, we should have beat them.”

Coming off last year’s drubbing by USC, Ohio State couldn’t have come up with a worse way to start the rematch.

Pryor’s short toss over the middle was picked off by Chris Galippo around midfield and he returned it 51 yards to the Ohio State 2. The Trojans needed four downs, but Johnson bulled in for a 1-yard score to make it 7-0 less than four minutes in.

With their fans a bit stunned and probably fearing the worst after so many recent disappointments, the Buckeyes and Pryor responded.

The rangy sophomore hit Dane Sanzenbacher streaking down the middle for 56 yards to set up Dan Herron’s 2-yard touchdown run. Midway through the first, it was 7-7 and Ohio State’s crowd was back into it and blaring.

The teams traded field goals in the second quarter, with USC’s Jordan Congdon knocking home a 21-yarder on the last play of the half to cap a snappy 2-minute drill by Barkley.

They traded punts and Ohio State won the field position battle and took the lead in the third quarter.

After pinning USC at its own 10, the Buckeyes forced USC to punt from its end zone. That turned into two points for Ohio State when a high snap slipped through the hands of punter Billy O’Malley for a safety with 9:03 left in the third.

Pryor and Ohio State then took advantage of excellent field position after the free kick, and drove to set up a 22-yard field goal by Aaron Pettrey with 4:49 left in the quarter to make it 15-10.

It wasn’t enough for Ohio State. The Trojans had one great drive left in them.

“It was huge,” Galippo said. “Inspiring.”

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: SEC's Slive no fan of plus-one playoff model

Headlines

• Label

Ex-QB Brian Johnson still directing Utes offense

CFT: Miami says it's 'committed to the ACC'

CFT: Clemson would listen to other conferences

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over