LAS VEGAS -- With 13 seconds on the clock Sunday night and USC at the 13-yard line, Lincoln Riley dialed up a run up the gut for Woody Marks.
It seemed the Trojans were surely just trying to better position for a potential game-winning field goal ... until Marks burst through the line and into open space, ultimately dragging a LSU defender with him across the goal line for a game-winning touchdown run that put USC up 27-20 with 8 seconds left.
Asked what the intent was on that play call, Riley joked, "I knew he was going to score."
No, he clarified, they had a timeout to burn still and thought Marks could pick up a few more yards to shorten the field goal attempt.
But ... the thought did cross Riley's mind.
"We were certainly trying to get some more yards and position ourselves for a field goal if he didn't pop it. Having the timeout, we knew we could be a little bit aggressive there," Riley said. "It was funny, I had a flashback, the last OU-Texas game that I coached was a very similar situation, we were a little bit further out and we handed the ball off and it popped. And I remember, I had just a little flashback. I told someone on the headsets, I was like, 'It wouldn't surprise me if he just creases it.' And of course it happened.
"So that was awesome, it was blocked up well, great run by Woody -- he was a warrior for us tonight. And awesome to be able to finish it out that way."
"The O-line was ready for it and they trusted their training from the fall and the spring and we scored. I just thank the O-line and the wide receivers for blocking," Marks said.
Marks, the veteran Mississippi State transfer, ended his Trojans debut with 68 yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 carries.
He was deservedly chosen to lead the band in the fight song after the game, holding the sword and basking in the moment.
"It was fantastic just to lead the band and just to win the game for USC," Marks said. "... We did it for ourselves, but we did it for the people who came before us and laid the foundation. I'm just happy that everybody on this team is here, I'm happy to play here and Fight On."
