USC left Week 3 with a 4-0 record, but the Trojans didn’t exactly come out of the Rutgers game looking like a team cruising on confidence. Rutgers put 35 points on USC, and that reality check made it clear there were bright spots and plenty of rough edges in this one.
The offense did get a few players who showed up in a big way, starting with King Miller. At this point, the question of whether he’s the lead back seems settled.
Miller topped 100 yards for the second straight week, finishing with 102 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He’s become the kind of steady answer this offense can actually trust, and he looks like a major X-factor as USC heads into a tougher stretch.
Riley Wormley also made his touches count. He only needed three carries to pile up 52 yards, including a 27-yard burst that turned heads. Wormley added a 2-yard touchdown catch in the red zone, giving USC another spark when it needed one.
Freshman receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt kept showing why he’s such a dependable target. He led the Trojans in targets and turned five catches into production, including another week of difficult, highlight-level grabs. Even with Trent Mosley out, USC still has a freshman who keeps making himself impossible to ignore.
Corey Simms stepped up in the passing game too. With Mosley and Jayden Maiava looking for somebody to deliver a big play, Simms answered with four catches for 72 yards and a 52-yard touchdown. He didn’t need a huge target load to make an impact, and that matters when a starter is sidelined.
On the defensive side, Luke Wafle kept causing problems even though the stat sheet doesn’t fully capture how disruptive he was. He finished with four tackles and spent plenty of time in the backfield. The penalties still need cleaning up, but the pressure he’s generating has been a constant issue for opposing quarterbacks.
There were also a few defensive plays that swung the game in USC’s favor. Prophet Brown delivered the kind of moment that can flip momentum instantly, taking an interception 99 yards for a touchdown. He finished with four tackles and was one of the biggest breakout names for the Trojans on that side of the ball.
Christian Pierce was probably USC’s most complete defensive bright spot. He opened the game with a spectacular interception and kept stacking production from there, ending with 11 tackles and two pass deflections.
It was not a clean defensive outing overall, but Pierce was everywhere. If USC is going to have a shot against Oregon, he’s going to need to bring that same level again.
Not everyone came out of the game with a boost, though. Waymond Jordan’s role and production have both trended downward as Miller has taken off. Jordan is still a useful piece, but right now the hot hand belongs to Miller.
Deven Bryant also had a rough day in coverage. He was targeted repeatedly and struggled to hold up, especially on the slant game across the middle. The tackle numbers were there, but USC needs more from him in pass defense if this group is going to survive the next few weeks.
Jide Abasiri’s absence was another problem. He was hurt during the game, and USC clearly felt it.
Without his presence, the rest of the defensive line looked ordinary, and Rutgers was able to lean on Antwan Raymond with real success. The depth up front is becoming a major concern, and it showed here.
Terrell Anderson never really got involved either. With Mosley unavailable, USC needed veteran receivers to step forward, but Anderson was a non-factor. That’s something worth watching closely when the Trojans meet Oregon.
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The injury reports are in ahead of USCs conference matchup with Oregon, and both sides are dealing with absences that could shape how this game is played. Oregon is already listed without several key players, while USCs report includes its own notable names, making the availability chart worth watching as the Trojans prepare for one of the more demanding games on their schedule.
For USC, the most important development is the status of running back Deshonne Redeaux, who was recently upgraded to probable. The Trojans have also been managing injuries to Jahkeem Stewart, Trent Mosley and Alex Graham, and how those situations settle before kickoff could influence not just depth, but how aggressive USC can be against a Ducks team missing pieces of its own. [Read more 🡒]
John Robinsons USC Legacy Reached Somewhere Trojans Fans May Not Expect
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The 1979 USC staff stood out for its success, while Oregons 1971 staff carried a different kind of significance, becoming a springboard for NFL coaching careers. Names like George Seifert, John Marshall and Gunther Cunningham all trace back into that network, a reminder that Robinsons legacy was not limited to one sideline or one conference stop. For USC, it is another way to measure how deeply one coachs influence ran through the sport. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Stormtrooper Look Just Added More Buzz To USC Showdown
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For the Trojans, the spotlight goes well beyond uniforms. This is the kind of conference game that can shape an early-season narrative, especially with key absences around the matchup and a chance for players on both sides to add something lasting to their legacies. Oregons presentation may grab the first wave of buzz, but USC knows the real story will be written on the field once the lights come on. [Read more 🡒]