Kalel Mullings carries No. 17 Michigan to last-minute defeat of No. 12 Southern California

All hoped seemed lost.

No. 17 Michigan saw its two-touchdown lead evaporate against No. 12 Southern California and its offense had gone three-and-out or turned the ball over on five consecutive possessions to open the second half. Even its vaunted defense, which had come up with so many timely stops, allowed a touchdown on third-and-16 to give up the lead in the fourth.

But then, Kalel Mullings came to the rescue. After Michigan had gained just 23 total yards on 15 plays in the second half, Michigan’s bruising running back ripped off a 53-yard scamper, trucking through defenders to get into the USC red zone with two minutes left.

From there he plowed his way down to the eight yard line with 1:17 to play and made it first-and-goal as the time ran under one minute. Then, with 41 seconds left, he bulldozed his way home on fourth-and-goal behind Max Bredeson, as Michigan survived its Big Ten opener, 27-24.

Before Mullings’ long run, the moment seemed all but impossible. Just minutes before, Donovan Edwards fumbled in Michigan’s own territory and set USC up inside the red zone. Three plays later, Miller Moss found Ja’Kobi Lane on third-and-16 for a 24-yard touchdown strike.

Michigan's next drive went Alex Orji for a loss of one, Kalel Mullings for a gain of one, then a sack, but Michigan's defense came up with one last stop to get the ball back for its offense.

The Wolverines made a change at quarterback this week and opted to go with the mobile Orji, with the goal of minimizing turnovers, maximizing time of possession and mauling its way to victory.

But there was no success in the passing game at any point, as Orji completed 7 of 12 passes for 32 yards and was sacked twice.

Topsy-turvy second half

For much of the afternoon, it never appeared the game would be in jeopardy. Michigan led 14-3 heading into the third quarter, when the Trojans opened with a 12-play, 75-yard drive and scored on third-and-9 from the Michigan five to get within four.

After a Michigan three-and-out, USC had the ball and momentum with a chance to take the lead when it appeared Michigan would flip the game for good. On third-and-3, Will Johnson jumped a curl route and took the interception 42 yards the other way for a pick-six to put Michigan up 10 after the extra-point was tipped.

That kept USC even more in the game than it already felt, and three plays later the Trojans’ Woody Marks — who ran six times for five yards in the first half — ripped off a 65-yard rush up the middle to make it first and goal. Marks finished with 13 carries for 100 yards.

It appeared once more Michigan had come away with a stop when Josiah Stewart stripped Miller Moss on third-and-goal and Kenneth Grant came running away with the ball, however he was then stripped of it and USC had new life.

Two plays later, Moss found Jay Fair for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 20-17 late in the third quarter. Moss finished the day 25 of 45 for 258 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Michigan’s offense a tale of two halves

Everything was clicking early for Michigan with a rather simple game plan. The Wolverines wanted to win the time of possession battle, stay in manageable down-and-distances and keep USC's high-powered attack on the sideline. So, it ran, then ran again, then ran some more.

Though the Wolverines didn't live on the ground quite as much as their game last year at Penn State when they ran the final 32 plays of the game, they did run 27 times compared to seven pass attempts in the first half and just about everybody had success at some point.

It started with Mullings, who after converting fourth-and-1 near midfield by just inches, ripped off a 53-yard house call to open the scoring, 7-0, with 3:10 left in the first. Then, it was Edwards' turn. After his first seven carries went for just 12 yards, he finally found a crease in the second quarter and ran 41 yards nearly un-touched to put the Wolverines up 14-0.

Mullings finished with 17 rushes for 159 yards and two scores while Edwards finished with 14 carries for 74 yards and a score but the one almost-costly turnover.

Even Orji had success early. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior saw six of his seven touches go for five yards or more as he converted four first downs with his legs in the first two quarters on just seven attempts. Even his wide receiver Fred Moore took an end-around for 14 yards to help spread the defense apart and open lanes in the middle.

That all seemed to change after the break as Michigan’s first three drives all resulted in three-and-outs and netted just seven yards, the fourth possession was the fumble and the fifth possession went backwards.

That is, until the sixth possession changed the story of Michigan's season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan stuns USC behind Kalel Mullings in Big Ten opener