USC’s trip to Fresno State brings a straight-ahead test, and the Bulldogs are built to make it ugly at the line of scrimmage.
College Football News previewed Fresno State’s defense and pointed to a unit that was the best in the Mountain West last season, giving up just 286 yards and 19 points per game. Defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, who previously did a strong job with the Northern Illinois defense before arriving at Fresno State, now has more time in place and a veteran group that fits exactly what the Bulldogs want to do.
The front is the headliner. Top pass rusher Finn Claypool is gone, but Fresno State still brings back the 300-pound tackle pairing of Deijon Laffitte and Martin Owusu on the inside, giving the Bulldogs real heft against the run. On the edges, Jahzon Jacks, Stone Noa, and Merhauti Xepera are all described as good-sized ends who can hold their ground.
That ability to control the run was the difference-maker last season. Fresno State went 9-0 when it held opponents to 140 rushing yards or fewer, and it finished 0-4 when it allowed 190 or more. The source notes that the offense played a role in those four losses, since it couldn’t keep pace, but the bigger point is clear: this defense has enough experience to be even better, especially against stronger attacks.
And this isn’t a lightweight group anywhere. The tackles are big, the ends are bulky, and the linebackers match that same profile.
Tytus Khajavi, a 235-pound middle linebacker, is expected to come close to leading the team in tackles. The message from the roster is obvious: there won’t be a problem getting physical.
That fits the way Matt Entz wants to play. As with the Fresno State offense, he isn’t looking to outsmart people. He wants rugged, tough, physical football, with trench strength as the foundation of everything the Bulldogs do.
For USC, the assignment is simple to say and hard to execute: stand up to Fresno State up front. Win there, and win the game.
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USC Depth Chart Puts Pressure On Two Trojans Fighting To Stay Relevant
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Among the players under the most pressure are redshirt-freshman running back Riley Wormley and redshirt-junior linebacker TaMere Robinson, both of whom need to carve out more meaningful roles to stay relevant. Their paths have already been shaped by limited chances and a roster that keeps adding competition, and with playing time at a premium, the next stretch could matter a great deal for how they fit into USCs plans going forward. [Read more 🡒]