The USC Trojans made the wrong history in the 2024 college football season. After an impressive win over the LSU Tigers early in the season in Las Vegas, USC collapsed in a difficult stretch of subsequent games.

Entering Friday night's game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, the Trojans were a remarkable 3-4 after finishing 7-5 in the 2023 regular season. Lincoln Riley, once considered a top-five head coach in college football, was just 10-9 in his last 19 regular season games. And despite the poor performance, there is no clear end in sight for Trojans fans.

READ: USC could be stuck with Lincoln Riley no matter how bad things get

However, the way they got there made this record look even worse. They had the Michigan Wolverines on the ropes and had a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter on the road in Ann Arbor. And found a way to lose. After a rebound victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, they entered the fourth quarter with a lead over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. And found a way to lose. They entered the fourth quarter with a lead against the top-five Penn State Nittany Lions. And found a way to lose in overtime. They then went on a road trip against the Maryland Terrapins and started the fourth quarter with a lead there too. And found a way to lose.

Three straight games where USC had the lead in the fourth quarter, four of the last five where they had at least a 92% chance of winning the game in the fourth quarter. All losses.

This miserable series finally came to an end on Friday evening.

Oct. 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC beats Rutgers, ending miserable losing streak

USC started Friday's game as a 14-point favorite over an overpowering Rutgers team. But their performance throughout the 2024 season gave little reason to trust USC, regardless of the line.

The Trojans dominated the first half, overcoming Rutgers' defense with three rushing touchdowns. Still, a missed opportunity early in the third quarter allowed Rutgers to get right back into the game. A 45-yard pass completion followed by a 25-yard rushing touchdown and a Philly special two-point conversion made it a one-possession game, 28-20, with more to come in the third quarter than eight minutes left.

But Makai Lemon returned a 72-yard catch and the Trojans converted on first-and-goal to create the gap they desperately needed.

USC's defense stepped up and, miraculously, Lincoln Riley was able to maintain another lead in the fourth quarter and secure a 42-20 win.

It's Rutgers. It's a home game. And kickoff time for the New Jersey-based team was after 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Still, USC has specialized in blowing games it should win must win. Small steps, but if they want to salvage something from a disastrous season, it has to start somewhere.

USC hits the road again next Saturday to play the Washington Huskies in Seattle. This provides another opportunity to see if they can find new ways to lose or if winning will get them back on track.