Lincoln Riley didn’t need to see his top two wide receivers to come away encouraged by USC’s opener.
With Tanook Hines and North Carolina State transfer Terrell Anderson inactive for the Week 0 win over San Jose State, the Trojans turned to a young receiving group and got immediate production. True freshman Trent Mosley led the way with seven catches for 118 yards in USC’s 42-26 victory, while fellow freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt also jumped in and made an early impact.
Riley talked up that group during his Aug. 31 appearance on Trojans Live, saying the younger receivers handled the moment better than most first-time players usually do.
"They did a good job, you know, and I think especially considering, we didn't have Tanook (Hines) and didn't have Terrell (Anderson), you know, chose not to use those guys," Riley stated. "And so, you know, not having two of our older, more experienced guys in there too. And they did a nice job."
He was just as pleased with how the freshmen settled in once the game got rolling.
"You know, the freshmen were - I didn't think they were hesitant kind of going into that moment for the first time," Riley said. "And I thought they settled in pretty quickly. They all were pretty steady there."
Riley also singled out sophomore Corey Simms, who gave USC a different kind of value in the opener. Simms caught four passes for 42 yards and worked as a reliable chain-mover, while also drawing praise for his work on special teams.
"I thought Corey Simms did a really nice job for us. I think he's one of the most improved players on our roster from last year to this year and making a huge impact for us on special teams as well," Riley added.
Simms enters his sophomore season for 2026, and after playing just 22 offensive snaps as a true freshman, he appears to have carved out a useful role in year two.
That depth is going to matter quickly. USC’s wideouts have been working against a five-defensive back look in practice under new coordinator Gary Patterson, and now they’re set to see something similar from Fresno State. Former Riley assistant Matt Entz brings the Bulldogs into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, and their 4-2-5 scheme is built to disrupt timing and throw offenses off rhythm.
The challenge doesn’t stop there. Entz and Benedetto are expected to lean on nickelback Simeon Harris, who had six pass breakups and five interceptions last season, and safety Ryan Wilson, who posted four pass breakups in 2025.
Sophomore Loyall Mouzon is projected to start at one corner spot, while fellow sophomore Kiontre Harris is also listed as a starter after contributing on special teams. Fresno State also has 6-4, 205-pound Taylor Powell, a transfer from Northern Illinois, in the mix.
Whether Hines and Anderson are available or not, Riley is clearly looking for the whole receiver room to keep climbing against what he sees as a top 20 national defensive unit from 2025.
In Other News...
USC Depth Chart Leaves One Big Question Before Fresno State
USCs updated depth chart for Fresno State brought a little more clarity and a reminder that the roster is still taking shape in August. Defensive linemen Jahkeem Stewart and Braylan Shelby are back on the list after dealing with injuries, and the freshmen keep showing up in meaningful spots as the staff continues sorting out roles at safety and receiver. Its the kind of sheet that suggests both progress and caution, with the Trojans still balancing development against availability.
What remains less certain is how much of that depth chart will translate into actual game action once the ball is kicked off. USC has been careful with injured players, and even with the return of key names there is still some guesswork around who will be fully ready and how long theyll stay on the field. For a team trying to settle its rotation early, that uncertainty is the part worth watching against Fresno State. [Read more 🡒]
USC Attendance Backlash Just Got A Troubling Coliseum Reality Check
USCs season opener against San Jos State was supposed to be a fresh start at the Coliseum, but the announced crowd of 51,114 quickly became part of the conversation for all the wrong reasons. Many seats looked empty on television and in person, and the turnout set off the kind of social media debate that follows the Trojans whenever the building feels less than full.
The criticism has landed from several directions, with some pointing to the weather and others to broader fan frustration around the program. Freshman receiver Ethan Feasters father added another layer to the picture, describing punishing heat at the game and saying several fans, including his wife, dealt with heat-related issues. For USC, the optics of a lightly filled Coliseum and an uncomfortable afternoon only sharpened the focus on a problem the program will keep hearing about until the stands look different. [Read more 🡒]
USC Pass Rush Faces Early Pressure As Young Defenders Push For More
USCs season opener gave the Trojans an early look at where their pass rush stands and where it still needs to go. After the win over San Jos State, junior defensive end Kameryn Crawford said the group will be measured quickly again when Fresno State comes to town, and he pointed to the promise already showing up from freshman end Luke Wafle. With a new defensive coordinator in Gary Patterson, Crawford has also had to adjust to a different role, making his perspective on the front especially relevant as the season starts to take shape.
What stood out most from Crawfords comments was the way he talked about the younger defenders not as future pieces, but as players already affecting the defense. He praised the freshmens work ethic and the energy they have brought, which matters for a USC pass rush trying to find consistency before conference play gets any more demanding. The Trojans do not need to solve everything in September, but they do need the edge rush to keep climbing, and the early signs suggest the freshmen may end up being a bigger part of that answer than expected. [Read more 🡒]