Tahj Washington took a shallow crosser just 2 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and made the absolute most of it.

Facing a third-and-8 from just inside the red zone, Miller Moss fired to Washington well short of the sticks and asked his receiver to make a play. Washington got the slightest of rubs from Zachariah Branch to open up some space between himself and his defender, brought in the pass, then put the brakes on and watched his man slide right past him. He juked one more Cardinals defender on his way to a tying score.

The touchdown throw from Moss — starting the game in place of Caleb Williams — was the fourth of his career.

Washington is moving to the NFL after Wednesday’s Holiday Bowl. The touchdown reception from Moss was his seventh score of the season. He entered the day leading the team with 963 yards on 52 catches.

USC opened the Holiday Bowl with a three-and-out, then watched Louisville methodically move down the field for a touchdown.

The Trojans’ second drive fared better, pushing all the way to the Louisville 21-yard-line, but it ended without points after Denis Lynch missed a 38-yard field goal.

On the very next play, Max Williams stripped Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer to force the first turnover of the game.