Ohio State suffered a 30-18 defeat to USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 31, 2026, with freshman quarterback Luke Fahey facing significant challenges in the red zone.
The Buckeyes' offense stalled repeatedly inside the 20-yard line, and Fahey's inexperience was evident as he missed key throws and made questionable decisions under pressure. USC's defense, led by linebacker Deven Bryant, capitalized on those mistakes to secure the victory.
Fahey, wearing number 13, showed flashes of mobility but could not convert critical scoring opportunities. The loss drops Ohio State's record and raises questions about the team's quarterback situation moving forward.
