USC’s season opener gave the Trojans exactly the kind of jolt fans were hoping for, and it came from the freshmen. Alijah Arenas entered the spotlight all offseason, and he delivered in Game 1 with an efficient 21 points in USC’s win over Milwaukee. But the bigger story was the twin debut from Adonis and Darius Ratliff.
Adonis Ratliff looked ready from the jump. He led USC with 25 points in his first game, knocking down 7 of 10 shots and going 5 for 7 from 3-point range.
He didn’t stop there, adding 2 steals and 2 blocks to round out a performance that showed how dangerous he can be on both ends. The scoring came easily, and the two-way impact was just as loud.
Darius Ratliff made his own case in the starting lineup at center. The 7-foot freshman finished with 14 points and hit a 3-pointer, but his biggest imprint came on defense, where he blocked 5 shots. With both twins able to score and protect the rim, USC suddenly has a freshman duo that can swing games at both ends.
That kind of production fits a roster that was expected to be deep, but the early signs point to the freshmen driving a lot of the action. The Trojans also got steady support from the veterans around them. Senior guard Rodney Rice handed out 9 assists, while senior KJ Lewis provided solid minutes off the bench.
For USC, it was about as clean a start as it could have asked for. And after one game, the Trojans already look like a team with freshman firepower, veteran balance, and the kind of ceiling that could make them a factor in the Big Ten and beyond.
In Other News...
Lincoln Rileys Postgame Reaction Added Another Twist For Ohio State Fans
USCs upset of then-No. 2 Ohio State was already one of the most striking results of the weekend, but Lincoln Rileys postgame press conference added another layer to the conversation. After the win, the Trojans coach read a handwritten statement addressing the noise around his job security and making clear where he stands with the program, turning a big on-field victory into a broader moment about pressure, perception and the scrutiny that follows a high-profile coach.
For Ohio State fans, the reaction around Rileys remarks became part of the story almost as quickly as the upset itself. The timing of the prepared statement, delivered after USC had just taken down a heavyweight opponent, prompted plenty of discussion across sports media and left the impression that the nights biggest twist might not have come on the field at all. [Read more 🡒]
USC Fans Have A New Reason To Watch Oregon Closely
The first College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings gave USC fans an unexpected reason to keep an eye on Oregon, with the Ducks landing at No. 23 despite already having three losses. For a Trojans fan base that knows how much the Big Ten race can shape the bigger picture, Oregons place in the poll is a reminder that the conference still has plenty of moving parts, and that the Ducks are not fully out of the conversation yet.
Rece Davis pointed out that Oregon still has a slim but possible route to the Big Ten Championship and a playoff berth, but it would take a clean finish and help elsewhere. For USC, that means Oregons remaining schedule now carries added weight, because every Ducks result could ripple into the standings and the postseason picture the Trojans are watching so closely. [Read more 🡒]
USC Just Got Its First CFP Reality Check
The College Football Playoff committees first rankings of the 2026 season arrived with a reminder that nothing is settled in November, even for teams with playoff ambitions. Miami landed at No. 1 in the initial 12-team field, which also features first-round byes for the top four seeds and campus-site games to open the bracket, setting the early tone for how the race could unfold from here.
For USC, the bigger takeaway is the reality check that comes with seeing the first snapshot of the committees thinking. The rankings will keep coming each week through the regular season, and the final version will decide the bracket, so the Trojans now have a clear benchmark as they try to climb into the conversation and avoid leaving their fate in anyone elses hands. [Read more 🡒]