USC had already succumbed to Ohio State before Sam Darnold hiked the ball on 2nd and 15 from the Buckeye 25-yard line with 2:10 left in the fourth quarter.
Darnold ran left and was unable to escape OSU linebacker Malik Harrison, who started contact inbounds and shoved him to the turf while out of bounds and into the USC sideline.
Given the 24-7 score, which would be the game's final, the Trojans took umbrage with the treatment of the quarterback.
As Tyquan Lewis consoled a fallen ESPN camerawoman, Trojan safety C.J. Pollard rushed in and shoved Harrison. This truly ignited a fracas between both teams down the sideline towards the locker room.
After a review, refs assessed Harrison for a late hit and Pollard for an unsportsmanlike conduct. They also ejected No. 21, backup cornerback Jamel Cook, for coming off the bench and throwing a punch.
The penalties offset and Darnold's seven-yard rush stood. The drive ultimately fell short when USC turned the ball over on downs, effectively sealing the game.
