USC’s matchup with Oregon comes with a name the Trojans need to know: Elijah Rushing.
The Ducks’ edge rusher has not piled up the kind of production that usually grabs headlines, but Oregon still sees him as a player who can matter on the outside. Rushing, a former five-star and top recruit from Arizona, has played in only 11 games across two seasons. He redshirted as a freshman in 2024, then logged just three tackles in seven games last season.
That limited résumé hasn’t changed how Oregon views his ceiling. The Ducks believe there’s still a difference-maker in there, and this season could be the opening for him to claim a larger role in Chris Hampton’s defense.
A big part of that push has come in the weight room. Defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said Rushing has added size and strength, and that growth has changed what he can do on the field.
“'We had a really good talk with Elijah in the offseason,' Tuioti said. 'He's put on more weight.
He's 285 pounds now. So he's tall, he's long, he’s continuing to get bigger and stronger, so he's able to anchor in the run game a lot better.
When he first came in here, he was like 250, so trying to anchor in the run game and get as much knock back, he wasn't that strong enough to do that. Now he's growing into his body, which is something that happens with a lot of defensive linemen when they come in; you've got to develop to be able to play that position effectively.'"
For USC, that makes the battle at the line of scrimmage even more important. If Oregon is leaning on Rushing’s added strength and development, the Trojans will need to bring enough power up front to meet it.
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For Lincoln Riley and the Trojans, the opportunity is obvious: make Oregon answer questions in coverage while USCs offense tries to get its own front settled enough to handle the Ducks defensive line. If the Trojans can win up front, they can force Oregon to show its hand in the back end, and the way those position battles shake out could wind up steering how aggressive Hampton can be with that secondary down the road. [Read more 🡒]
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Lotts senior season only sharpened that legacy, as he finished by leading the country in interceptions and capped his USC career with a reputation for making game-changing plays. His college success was just the start of a career that carried into Canton-worthy territory with the San Francisco 49ers, but this latest nod is a reminder of how much of his legend was forged in cardinal and gold. [Read more 🡒]