USC left Game 3 with a win, but not with the kind of clean momentum it carried out of the Fresno State game. The Trojans got the job done, yet the performance opened the door to more questions than celebration. Even so, there’s still plenty to like about this group three weeks into the season.
One of the biggest bright spots came from another young offensive weapon. Mark Bowman moved into the spotlight, and he looked every bit as dangerous as freshman Trent Mosley, who put together another strong outing.
Jayden Maiava may still be dealing with the effects of an arm injury, but he clearly trusts those young targets. That trust matters this early in the season.
The ground game also found its burst late. King Miller needed a little time to get going, but once the second half hit, he took off. He finished with 100 yards and found the end zone, giving USC another reminder that this offense can put points on the board with relative ease, even when it isn’t fully clicking.
The defense told a different story. USC kept Lunch Winfield contained in the first half, but then let him slip away just like in Game 1.
From there, Winfield punished the Trojans both on the ground and through the air. It turned into a one-man show, and USC never found the answer.
That kind of breakdown raises real concerns against other dual-threat quarterbacks, maybe the likes of Demond Williams.
By the end, USC had escaped with a lot, and not just on defense. The Trojans were fortunate in more than one area, and the same mistakes won’t be good enough against Washington, much less the heavier hitters waiting in the Big Ten.
Gary Patterson and his unit have work to do, and fast. Luke Wafle was a clear standout, though, and this was a game in which he took over.
Next up is Rutgers, and the Trojans will kick off against a team that has been terrible to start the season. Still, the danger for USC is obvious: two mediocre wins heading into Week 5 against Oregon would be a bad place to be.
In Other News...
Former Auburn Star's Sudden USC Exit Now Looks Far More Serious
Chad Baker-Mazaras sudden exit from USC basketball has taken on a much more serious cast than a routine roster departure. The former Auburn standout filed a lawsuit against coach Eric Musselman, claiming Musselman directed a racially charged rant at him after a game in February, and that the fallout led to Baker-Mazara being dismissed from the program the next day.
The suit goes beyond the breakup on the bench. Baker-Mazara also alleges USC skipped an NIL payment and tried to end the agreement by invoking a morals clause, and he is suing for breach of contract, conversion and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage. He says the dismissal damaged his NBA Draft stock, turning what looked like a quick roster move into a dispute with bigger implications for the Trojans and their coach. [Read more 🡒]
USC Heads Into Big Ten Play With Real Momentum And One Concern
USC wrapped up its nonconference slate at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a 49-30 win over Louisiana, a result that gave the No. 12 Trojans a little more confidence as Big Ten play arrives. The offense again had plenty to like, with freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley adding both a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown to keep building on a strong start to the season.
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman was another bright spot, catching six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns before being held out of the second half as a precaution. On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Jide Abasiri flashed enough disruption to draw a high PFF grade, but USC still heads into conference play with one lingering concern after a game that otherwise looked like another step forward. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Sends USC A Clear Warning Before Big Ten Play
USC is 3-0 after its win over Louisiana, and Lincoln Riley spent his latest media session sounding like a coach who knows the early record only tells part of the story. The No. 12 Trojans have shown growth through the opening stretch, but Riley pointed to the challenges the team has already faced and the way different pieces have helped them keep moving forward, especially on the defensive side.
With Big Ten play looming, Riley made it clear the next phase will demand more from USC than the first three games have. He talked through the lessons already learned and the players who have helped steady the start, but the bigger question now is how the Trojans hold up when the competition changes and the margin for error gets much thinner. [Read more 🡒]