USC showcases a new era for its football program in dominant opening win over Rice
2 years, 4 months ago

USC showcases a new era for its football program in dominant opening win over Rice

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scrambles against Rice in the third quarter of the Trojans’ 66-14 win Saturday at the Coliseum. That confidence started Saturday with USC’s quarterback, who for one game lived up to the heavy expectations placed upon his shoulders since his transfer from Oklahoma in the offseason. Then, sophomore safety Calen Bullock chased down breakaway Rice running back Cameron Montgomery two drives later, saving a touchdown that would’ve cut USC’s lead to seven. “Takeaways, that equals victories,” linebacker Ralen Goforth said, “and that’s something that we really emphasized going into the next half.” The emphasis worked as well as Grinch could’ve imagined.

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History of this topic

USC makes season-ending statement in thrilling Las Vegas Bowl comeback over Texas A&M
1 week, 6 days ago

USC makes season-ending statement in thrilling Las Vegas Bowl comeback over Texas A&M

LA Times  

USC receiver Kyle Ford said the emotions of an up-and-down career hit him after he caught the game-winning touchdown against Texas A&M during the Las Vegas Bowl Friday night. “I know we’re making progress.” By late December, any signs of that progress had disappeared and confidence in Riley had faded along with it, lost during a frustrating season that ended …

USC football and the Holiday Bowl: Miller Moss and 7 more Trojans thoughts
1 year ago

USC football and the Holiday Bowl: Miller Moss and 7 more Trojans thoughts

New York Times  

SAN DIEGO — USC’s season will come to a close Wednesday in a matchup with top-15 Louisville in the Holiday Bowl. Quarterback Caleb Williams, running back MarShawn Lloyd and receiver Brenden Rice are among those who won’t play in the Holiday Bowl. Moss witnessed Dart and Kedon Slovis enter the transfer portal after USC hired Lincoln Riley and remained with …

USC can’t keep up with Washington in scoring spree, crippling its Pac-12 title hopes
1 year, 2 months ago

USC can’t keep up with Washington in scoring spree, crippling its Pac-12 title hopes

LA Times  

Washington running back Dillon Johnson scores on a 52-yard run in front of USC safety Calen Bullock in the second quarter of the Trojans’ 52-42 loss at the Coliseum on Saturday night. The Trojans’ defense managed a rare stop, forcing Washington to settle for a field goal, and USC drove into Husky territory down three with a chance to seize …

No. 24 USC rallies late, gets last-minute stop to beat Cal 50-49 and snap skid
1 year, 2 months ago

No. 24 USC rallies late, gets last-minute stop to beat Cal 50-49 and snap skid

LA Times  

USC defensive end Jamil Muhammad celebrates with safety Bryson Shaw after the Trojans broke up a two-point conversion attempt in the final minute of their 50-49 win over Cal on Saturday. Safety Jaylin Smith capped the chaotic game with a game-sealing pass breakup on Cal’s two-point conversion attempt with 58 seconds remaining, after USC battled back from a 14-point, fourth-quarter …

NFL scouts are torn on whether Caleb Williams will be No. 1 pick of draft
1 year, 2 months ago

NFL scouts are torn on whether Caleb Williams will be No. 1 pick of draft

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is the heavy favorite to go No. “I was TV scouting that,” said Scout 2, meaning he wasn’t at the Coliseum. “What I’d love for him — they’ve lost to Utah the last couple of years,” Scout 1 said. To have one of his signature performances in an atmosphere like that …

USC’s offensive line still ‘a work in progress’ as Trojans’ schedule stiffens
1 year, 2 months ago

USC’s offensive line still ‘a work in progress’ as Trojans’ schedule stiffens

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scrambles out of the pocket as Arizona defensive lineman Isaiah Ward rushes during a game at the Coliseum on Oct. 7. USC offensive line coach Josh Henson, said this week the line was “a work in progress.” Justin Dedich, USC’s fifth-year center and captain, agreed that the revamped group hasn’t meshed “at the same pace it …

Caleb Williams finds the end zone once more in triple OT, and No. 9 USC survives Arizona 43-41
1 year, 3 months ago

Caleb Williams finds the end zone once more in triple OT, and No. 9 USC survives Arizona 43-41

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “But when you’re in it, you can feel sorry for yourself or you can dig yourself out.” Noah Fifita passed for 303 yards and threw two of his five touchdown passes to Jacob Cowing in overtime, but the Wildcats blew a big lead, committed 99 yards …

Caleb Williams and USC receivers are perfecting ‘the art’ of the deep pass
1 year, 3 months ago

Caleb Williams and USC receivers are perfecting ‘the art’ of the deep pass

LA Times  

USC wide receiver Tahj Washington, right, celebrates with running back Austin Jones after scoring on a 45-yard touchdown reception during the Trojans’ 42-28 win over Arizona State on Saturday. “I for sure worked on it,” Williams said Saturday night after USC’s 42-28 win over Arizona State. And we’ve been able to do that so far.” USC quarterback Caleb Williams warms …

USC-Arizona State final thoughts: MarShawn Lloyd’s growing role, plus rising, falling WRs
1 year, 3 months ago

USC-Arizona State final thoughts: MarShawn Lloyd’s growing role, plus rising, falling WRs

New York Times  

TEMPE, Ariz. — Some final thoughts from USC’s 42-28 win over Arizona State on Saturday night. “We ended up hitting some big plays in the pass game that shortened some drives at the end, but yeah, you could argue as good as he was running we probably should’ve given it to him more.” Lloyd earned his first USC start on …

USC football keeps winning, but Trojans will need more vs. top Pac-12 teams
1 year, 3 months ago

USC football keeps winning, but Trojans will need more vs. top Pac-12 teams

New York Times  

The Athletic has live coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado vs. USC in Week 5 college football action. USC’s defense surrendered 28 points to an offense that was on its third-string quarterback and scored only 24 points against Southern Utah when it was healthy, not extremely banged up like it was this week. The unit that couldn’t tackle against Utah …

Caleb Williams propels No. 6 USC to a 49-point first half in a 56-10 victory over Stanford
1 year, 3 months ago

Caleb Williams propels No. 6 USC to a 49-point first half in a 56-10 victory over Stanford

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! It’s fun to see the team really playing there at a high level together for a sustained period.” The Trojans racked up 433 yards of offense and got seven touchdowns by seven players while building a 49-3 halftime lead — the third-largest in Pac-12 history — …

Caleb Williams on USC’s rout of Stanford: ‘We’re trying to make everybody feel our pain’
1 year, 4 months ago

Caleb Williams on USC’s rout of Stanford: ‘We’re trying to make everybody feel our pain’

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scrambles through the defense during the first quarter of a 56-10 victory over Stanford at the Coliseum on Saturday night. “That’s what we’re trying to do: We’re trying to make everybody feel our pain and play on our own terms.” USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch dives but comes up short of a touchdown in the first …

Heisman winner Caleb Williams throws 5 TD passes and No. 6 USC routs Nevada 66-14
1 year, 4 months ago

Heisman winner Caleb Williams throws 5 TD passes and No. 6 USC routs Nevada 66-14

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “A few plays here and there that we’re going to want back, that we know we have to continue to clean up, but we took a step this week.” Williams passed for 258 yards and four TDs on just 15 completions while USC built a 35-7 …

Why isn't USC celebrating Caleb Williams' success?
1 year, 4 months ago

Why isn't USC celebrating Caleb Williams' success?

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scrambles on a 46-yard run in the second quarter of the Trojans’ 66-14 win over Nevada at the Coliseum on Saturday. This might seem like a question that needlessly stirs up controversy after Williams threw five touchdown passes in the Trojans’ 66-14 victory over Nevada at the Coliseum. “The second part of the message was …

Caleb Williams and USC showcase their playoff ambitions in blowout win over Nevada
1 year, 4 months ago

Caleb Williams and USC showcase their playoff ambitions in blowout win over Nevada

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams throws a touchdown pass during the first quarter of the Trojans’ 66-14 win over Nevada at the Coliseum on Saturday. Stanley Ta’ufo’ou, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman, trotting into the end zone after returning a fumble sent the USC coach leaping into the air in a euphoric sideline celebration. Even the much-maligned defense recovered from an …

USC vs. Nevada preview: Caleb Williams turns up the pressure on his teammates
1 year, 4 months ago

USC vs. Nevada preview: Caleb Williams turns up the pressure on his teammates

LA Times  

The first-game excitement has faded. While freshman Zachariah Branch exceeded already lofty expectations for the five-star prospect, inconsistencies left quarterback Caleb Williams frustrated after the game and pushed him to step up his leadership during practice. “I’ve been hard on the team.” Williams turned up his vocal leadership even higher this week, speaking to other veterans regularly to ensure they …

USC's Caleb Williams could become greatest college QB ever
1 year, 8 months ago

USC's Caleb Williams could become greatest college QB ever

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, right, shows off a replica of his Heisman Trophy in front of former Trojans running back Travis Dye during the USC spring game at the Coliseum on Saturday. Playing on a national stage with one of the nation’s premier franchises, Williams can become the first quarterback, and only the second player, to win two Heisman Trophies. …

USC’s defense again reeking stain on Riley’s regime
2 years ago

USC’s defense again reeking stain on Riley’s regime

LA Times  

Tulane’s Alex Bauman catches the game-winning touchdown pass as USC’s Eric Gentry tackles him during the Cotton Bowl Classic on Monday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Tulane running back Tyjae Spears runs with the ball as USC defensive lineman Nick Figueroa defends during the first half of the Cotton Bowl on Monday in Arlington, Texas. “Offense is out there, …

Caleb Williams still coming to grips with being a Heisman Trophy winner
2 years ago

Caleb Williams still coming to grips with being a Heisman Trophy winner

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams continues to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained during the Trojans’ loss to Utah in the Pac-12 title game on Dec. 2. From the moment he lifted the iconic trophy last Saturday night, Caleb Williams hasn’t had much time to let the reality of his Heisman win sink in, let alone get the sleep he …

How Caleb Williams’ late push for the Heisman resembles Carson Palmer’s 2002 run
2 years, 1 month ago

How Caleb Williams’ late push for the Heisman resembles Carson Palmer’s 2002 run

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams looks to pass during a win over Cal at the Coliseum on Nov. 5. At the midpoint of the season, as Caleb Williams’ Heisman Trophy candidacy continued to simmer on the burner behind hotter names, the USC football program remained quiet — publicly, at least. But Ryan still got to work, scheduling weekly “Heisman meetings” with …

Photos: Caleb Williams propels No. 6 USC past No. 15 Notre Dame
2 years, 1 month ago

Photos: Caleb Williams propels No. 6 USC past No. 15 Notre Dame

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams accounted for four touchdowns during No. USC quarterback Caleb Williams walks off the field after a 38-27 win over Notre Dame at the Coliseum Saturday. USC defensive back Calen Bullock celebrates with defensive back Max Williams and defensive back Latrell McCutchin after intercepting a pass late in a win over Notre Dame at the Coliseum on …

A title path is clear for USC after triumph over UCLA
2 years, 1 month ago

A title path is clear for USC after triumph over UCLA

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates the team’s win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Trojans coach Lincoln Riley talks with Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson after USC’s victory Saturday night. “He’s been that all year.” Meanwhile, although UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson was spectacularly tough while playing with an injured hand, he committed four turnovers that led to 10 points and …

Unexpected hero emerges to help USC punch its ticket to the Pac-12 title game
2 years, 1 month ago

Unexpected hero emerges to help USC punch its ticket to the Pac-12 title game

LA Times  

USC’s Korey Foreman celebrates after intercepting a pass from UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to seal the Trojans’ 48-45 comeback win Saturday at the Rose Bowl. “You just never know when it’s going to be your moment,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said, “and he was ready.” UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson throws a pass against USC in the fourth quarter Saturday. “Dorian …

No. 9 USC’s ongoing defensive woes nearly derail season in win over Cal
2 years, 2 months ago

No. 9 USC’s ongoing defensive woes nearly derail season in win over Cal

LA Times  

Cal running back Jaydn Ott carries the ball ahead of USC’s Tuasivi Nomura, Shane Lee and Bryson Shaw during the first half of the Trojans’ 41-35 win Saturday. USC shut down Cal’s rushing attack, allowing a season-low 63 yards, and kept banged-up Cal quarterback Jack Plummer under duress, with Tuipulotu contributing two of three sacks. USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu, …

USC defense looks to get back on track against Cal: Three things to watch
2 years, 2 months ago

USC defense looks to get back on track against Cal: Three things to watch

LA Times  

After a second straight game during which his defense allowed more than 500 yards and missed at least a dozen-and-a-half tackles in the process, Alex Grinch was asked whether he feels USC might be a few minor fixes away on defense — or if bigger-scale changes were required to right the ship. It’s been a season of brutal honesty from …

Lincoln Riley: Pac-12 refs say ‘they messed it up.’ Takeaways from USC win at Arizona
2 years, 2 months ago

Lincoln Riley: Pac-12 refs say ‘they messed it up.’ Takeaways from USC win at Arizona

LA Times  

Jordan Addison, USC’s top receiver, stood on the Arizona Stadium sideline in street clothes. But in their stead, what might’ve been a nightmare scenario ended in a Caleb Williams career-best passing night as USC beat Arizona 45-37. Two weeks ago, soon after USC suffered its first loss of the season at Utah, Ford called Caleb Williams and told the quarterback …

USC takeaways: Caleb Williams brilliant, defense struggles in emotional loss at Utah
2 years, 2 months ago

USC takeaways: Caleb Williams brilliant, defense struggles in emotional loss at Utah

New York Times  

SALT LAKE CITY — USC seemingly always finds itself in this exact spot in this exact stadium, doesn’t it? And just like in those previous two games, USC’s defense couldn’t get the stop it needed as Utah’s star quarterback Cam Rising rushed for a 1-yard touchdown with 48 seconds remaining. I’m ready to go practice right now.” Bad defense, wrong …

USC (6-0) is on path to building championship pedigree
2 years, 3 months ago

USC (6-0) is on path to building championship pedigree

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams passed for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the No. Honoring USC’s 1972 National Championship Team ✌️🏈 pic.twitter.com/qIdnOXygtv — USC Football ✌️ October 9, 2022 Under coach Lincoln Riley, the current Trojans are grasping the importance of effort and constant attention to detail in supplementing their talent. Running back Travis Dye had 28 carries for 149 …

Caleb Williams mastering the art of escape as USC’s football Houdini
2 years, 3 months ago

Caleb Williams mastering the art of escape as USC’s football Houdini

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scores a touchdown against Fresno State on Sept. 17. Whatever it takes is what it’s going to take for me.” It took a series of stunning escapes from Williams last week before the Trojans finally sped past Arizona State to secure a 42-25 win. “I turn around, he looks like he’s about to be sacked and …

Column: Is USC star QB Caleb Williams ready for bigger tests?
2 years, 3 months ago

Column: Is USC star QB Caleb Williams ready for bigger tests?

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams scrambles for a first down against Arizona State during the third quarter Saturday at the Coliseum. Then there was this, the most spectacular of five-yard runs near the end of the first half of USC’s 42-25 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night, during which he evaded a defender with a pump fake and a spin …

USC’s defense bites back in win over Fresno State that moves No. 7 Trojans to 3-0
2 years, 3 months ago

USC’s defense bites back in win over Fresno State that moves No. 7 Trojans to 3-0

LA Times  

USC defensive end Solomon Byrd celebrates after he recovered a fumble by Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener in the third quarter Saturday night at the Coliseum. “I would say we’re a very good defense, and I expect it’s going to get better and better.” When Fresno State appeared primed to push its way back in the game, a series of …

Plaschke: The Trojans are back and might be the nation's best
2 years, 3 months ago

Plaschke: The Trojans are back and might be the nation's best

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns, walks off the field after the No. Caleb Williams heaved a ball high through the thick air and into the arms of Jordan Addison, who spun out of a Stanford defender’s grasp and sprinted to the end zone and. That change was obvious less than three minutes into …

No. 14 USC routs Rice 66-14 in big debuts by Williams, Riley
2 years, 4 months ago

No. 14 USC routs Rice 66-14 in big debuts by Williams, Riley

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Calen Bullock, Shane Lee and Ralen Goforth returned three of USC’s four interceptions for touchdowns while the Trojans scored more points in Riley’s debut than they did in any game under Clay Helton, who was fired last season before USC sank to its worst record in …

USC football feels like USC football again with Lincoln Riley
2 years, 4 months ago

USC football feels like USC football again with Lincoln Riley

LA Times  

USC coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with his players after a touchdown against Rice on Saturday. The outcome of the Trojans’ first game with new coach Lincoln Riley and his two-dozen transfers — a 66-14 victory over Rice — was completely expected. “We’re going to do everything we can as a team to keep working so people can’t even stand the …

Showtime: Lincoln Riley’s star-studded USC ready for debut
2 years, 4 months ago

Showtime: Lincoln Riley’s star-studded USC ready for debut

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! He has assembled a star-studded roster that includes ex-Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams and the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner in wide receiver Jordan Addison to reboot a program with several national championships and seven Heisman Trophies in its illustrious history. “That’s what I’m really, really excited to …

Caleb Williams Inc: How one family and a PR firm helped a USC QB build an NIL empire
2 years, 5 months ago

Caleb Williams Inc: How one family and a PR firm helped a USC QB build an NIL empire

LA Times  

The plan that propelled Caleb Williams to the forefront of a new college football era first came into focus long before the landscape changed, years ahead of his arrival at USC, when the notion of an amateur quarterback making millions off his name, image and likeness still felt impossible. “We knew he was going to be one of the faces …

USC QB Caleb Williams is comfortable leading the Trojans on and off the field
2 years, 5 months ago

USC QB Caleb Williams is comfortable leading the Trojans on and off the field

LA Times  

New USC quarterback Caleb Williams seems equally comfortable and confident leading the Trojans’ football practices and standing in front of the camera in conjunction with his growing name, image and likeness endorsement portfolio. Williams, his father and a public relations firm have spent years preparing for the opportunity to lock in deals that would allow him to profit off his …

Column: Unfazed newcomer Caleb Williams, just 19, shows he’s ready to lead USC football team
2 years, 8 months ago

Column: Unfazed newcomer Caleb Williams, just 19, shows he’s ready to lead USC football team

LA Times  

USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the star transfer from Oklahoma, looks on at the end of the Trojans’ spring game Saturday at the Coliseum. Williams looked as if he were in his own living room as he reflected on USC’s spring game. USC quarterback Caleb Williams, right, talks with coach Lincoln Riley during the Trojans’ spring game Saturday at the Coliseum. …

USC’s Caleb Williams practicing more patience in the pocket
2 years, 9 months ago

USC’s Caleb Williams practicing more patience in the pocket

LA Times  

Quarterback Caleb Williams has worked during spring practice to scramble less quickly and wait for a pass play to develop. It was that superlative rushing ability that first set Williams on a path toward stardom last season, as he followed in the footsteps of other dual-threat quarterbacks who came before him in Riley’s offense, such as Kyler Murray and Jalen …

USC takeaways: Trojans left with more questions after loss to Arizona State
3 years, 2 months ago

USC takeaways: Trojans left with more questions after loss to Arizona State

LA Times  

Arizona State receiver Ricky Pearsall fights for extra yardage against USC cornerback Chris Steele during the second half on Saturday in Tempe, Ariz. Another week, another bleak performance for USC, which came to the desert in search of answers and left with more questions. A heavy dose of man coverage from Arizona State dared USC’s fleet of unproven receivers to …

USC is expecting more from its defense against Arizona
4 years, 1 month ago

USC is expecting more from its defense against Arizona

LA Times  

The ball comes loose for a fumble as Arizona State wide receiver LV Bunkley-Shelton is tackled by USC safety Talanoa Hufanga during the first half on Saturday at the Coliseum. Less effusive in his praise, Orlando referred to Tuipulotu’s eight-tackle performance as “the expectation.” “With guys like Marlon, guys like Drake, you’re looking for two to three special plays that …

USC safety Talanoa Hufanga leaves victory with injury
5 years, 2 months ago

USC safety Talanoa Hufanga leaves victory with injury

LA Times  

With its depleted defensive backfield already dealing with injuries to all three of its starting cornerbacks, USC may have also lost its top safety Saturday night. Talanoa Hufanga, who leads USC in tackles per game and has generally been one of the Trojans’ best defenders this season, left in the second quarter, following a collision with Arizona running back J.J. …

USC quarterback JT Daniels hurt in opening win against Fresno State
5 years, 4 months ago

USC quarterback JT Daniels hurt in opening win against Fresno State

LA Times  

USC quarterback JT Daniels is helped to his feet as head coach Clay Helton, right, looks on at the Coliseum on Saturday. Even as USC held on for a 31-23 victory over Fresno State, the dread in that moment lingered over the rest of Saturday’s proceedings as Daniels, on crutches, watched from the sideline. USC linebacker Hunter Echols reaches out …

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