Bush Push 2.0, Caleb Williams TD pass lifts USC over Oregon State

Transfer USC saw dividends paid on Saturday.

The Trojans got a late touchdown pass from Oklahoma transfer Caleb Williams to Pittsburgh transfer Jordan Addison and escaped with a 17-14 Pac-12 victory over Oregon State on Saturday.

USC has used the transfer portal arguably more effectively than any other school coinciding with Lincoln Riley’s arrival as head coach from the Sooners. The Trojans have lured 26 players to LA via the portal.

Against the Beavers, Williams had a rough night, going 16-of-36 passing. His last pass was the one that counted as he found Biletnikoff winner Addison for the game-winning touchdown of 21 yards with 1:13 left.

The drive looked like it was stopped on a fourth-and-6 when Oregon State had Williams but USC’s offensive lineman pushed the quarterback ahead for a couple of extra yards and the key first down.

It conjured memories of the infamous/famous “Bush Push” against Notre Dame years ago.

Oregon State had the last chance to tie or win the game but USC picked off its fourth pass of the night.

What had to sting the Beavers was the running game of USC, which was led by former Oregon star Travis Dye.

Dye, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards as a Duck, had 19 rushes for 133 yards and a TD that gave the Trojans a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter.

Oregon State came back with a score on an 18-yard run by Jam Griffin, setting the stage for the heroics by Williams and Addison.