USC’s first three games have left the Trojans with a statistical profile that looks a little bit of everything: explosive through the air, strong on third down, and still a work in progress in a few other areas.
The passing game is carrying a lot of the load. USC is averaging 340.7 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten. The overall offense sits at 513.3 yards per game, good for No. 23 in the country and No. 4 in the conference, while the Trojans are scoring 43.3 points per game to land at No. 29 nationally and No. 4 in the league.
One area where USC has separated itself is on third down. The Trojans are converting 69.4 percent of their third downs, which is No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten.
That number dipped slightly from last week’s 66.7 percent mark, but it still puts USC in elite company. The red zone numbers, though, are not nearly as sharp.
USC is finishing 82.4 percent of its trips inside the 20, a figure that ranks No. 96 nationally and No. 13 in the conference.
The rushing game has been steadier than spectacular. USC is averaging 172.7 rushing yards per game, sitting at No. 67 nationally and No. 8 in the Big Ten. The offense has also allowed only two sacks, which keeps the Trojans tied for No. 32 in the country.
On the other side of the ball, USC has been solid without being dominant. The Trojans are allowing 18.7 points per game, ranking No. 62 nationally and No. 12 in the Big Ten. They’re giving up 270.0 total yards per game, which places them No. 43 in the country and No. 10 in the conference, and opponents are converting 32.3 percent of their third downs.
The defense has generated some pressure, too. USC has seven sacks, tied for No. 12 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten. That’s one of the brighter spots in a group that still has room to tighten up, especially in red-zone defense, where opponents are scoring on 75.0 percent of their chances.
A few individual performances stand out in the mix. Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley has been a weapon on offense and in special teams.
He’s No. 2 nationally in total all-purpose yards with 421, and his 140.3 all-purpose yards per game rank No. 13.
Through three games, he has 255 receiving yards, eight rushing yards and 158 punt return yards.
Jayden Maiava has also stacked up well nationally despite throwing 10 incompletions and an interception Saturday against Louisiana. He ranks No. 7 in completion percentage at 80.7, No. 8 in passing efficiency at 208.75, and No. 12 in passing yards per game at 298.7. He also leads the nation in points responsible for with 66 and passing touchdowns with 10.
There’s another clean line in USC’s numbers: the Trojans are one of 25 teams in the country, and one of six in the Big Ten, that hasn’t allowed a fourth-down conversion. Offensively, they’ve converted three of five fourth-down tries, including their only attempt Saturday, which puts them tied for No. 60 nationally.
And then there’s the time-of-possession picture. USC averages 36:27 per game, which ranks sixth nationally. Because of its Week 0 game, though, the Trojans lead the nation in total time of possession at 109:21 and are the only team in the triple digits heading into Week 3.
There are also a few areas that clearly need cleaning up. USC is averaging 18.0 penalties per game, which ranks tied for No. 116 nationally and tied for No. 15 in the Big Ten. The turnover margin sits at minus-0.67 per game, and the Trojans have committed four total turnovers, both marks that leave room for improvement as the season moves forward.
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 🡒]