Tag: Southern Cal

With playoff hopes dashed, No. 17 USC finishes regular season vs. UCLA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Crosstown rivals UCLA and No. 17 Southern California meet for the 95th time on Saturday when the Trojans host the Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

USC (8-3, 6-2 Big Ten) comes in looking to rebound from the disappointment of having its College Football Playoff hopes effectively dashed its last time out.

The Trojans dropped a 42-27 decision at then-No. 7 Oregon last weekend, which sent USC from No. 15 in the Playoff rankings — within striking distance of the coveted top 12 — down to 17th as revealed on Tuesday.

Coach Lincoln Riley called USC’s 2025 “a very good year, right on the verge of being a great year.”

Riley is 34-17 with the Trojans as he nears the end of his fourth season and 2-1 in rivalry games with UCLA after last season’s 19-13 win at Rose Bowl Stadium. While USC has yet to reach the playoff in Riley’s tenure, the coach’s name has surfaced in media speculation about various vacancies around college football.

Riley flatly denied any interest in leaving USC in his media availability following practice on Tuesday evening.

“Oh yeah, 100 percent,” he said of his commitment to the Trojans. “Like I’ve said before, I’m right where I’m supposed to be. … I love being here. That’s really the end of it.”

Since a midseason resurgence from an 0-4 start, UCLA (3-8, 3-5) has dropped four straight. Last week’s 48-14 loss at home to Washington bumped the Bruins’ average margin of defeat over this stretch to 32.3 points per game.

UCLA scored a combined 51 points in the four losses to Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State and Washington. In their Week 13 loss, the Bruins were scoreless until late in the third quarter before breaking through on a Luke Duncan touchdown pass to Mikey Matthews.

Duncan replaced Nico Iamaleava at quarterback after Iamaleava sustained an injury in the second half. Bruins interim coach Tim Skipper called the injury neck spasms during his media availability on Monday.

Iamaleava is day-to-day, Skipper said.

Another significant injury looming for UCLA against a high-powered USC offense averaging 37.2 points per game is the loss of defensive back Rodrick Pleasant. Pleasant underwent shoulder surgery for an injury that Skipper said the defensive back had been playing through for much of the season.

“This is an explosive offense,” Skipper said of USC. “We’re going to have our hands full. We’re going to have to have all hands on deck. We’re going to have to throw different things at them, try to confuse them.”

Skipper said that while USC’s passing attack with quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane presents obvious threats, the UCLA interim praised Riley-coached teams for effectively balancing the run game.

Rushing has been a barometer for the Trojans’ success in 2025. In losses at Notre Dame and Oregon, USC finished with just 68 and 52 yards on the ground.

Those losses are also the Trojans’ only games without a rushing touchdown this season.

The USC backfield has dealt with its own share of injuries. Waymond Jordan has been out since sustaining an ankle injury in the Oct. 11 win over Michigan, Bryan Jackson missed four games with turf toe and Eli Sanders sustained a season-ending knee injury vs. Michigan.

Freshman King Miller emerged as the primary option in the depleted ball-carrying rotation, producing consecutive games of 129 and 127 yards at Nebraska and vs. Northwestern, but has not scored a touchdown in the last two outings.

–Field Level Media

No. 19 USC eager to reignite offense vs. Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 19 Southern California will begin its closing four-game stretch of the season in the thick of both the Big Ten Conference championship and College Football Playoff races.

The Trojans will face another stout defense in Northwestern on Friday night in Los Angeles.

Southern California (6-2, 4-1) will return home for the first time since a 31-13 win over then-No. 15 Michigan on Oct. 11, bookending its Oct. 25 bye with a 34-24 loss at rival Notre Dame and a 21-17 victory at Nebraska last Saturday.

The grind-it-out defeat of the Cornhuskers helped land the Trojans at their position in the first playoff rankings of the season.

Northwestern (5-3, 3-2) will visit the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 1969 in the program’s first matchup with Southern California since the 1996 Rose Bowl Game. No Wildcats squad has ever beaten the Trojans, going 0-5 in a series that started in 1952.

This season’s Wildcats come in off of a bye week, having last played on Oct. 25 against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers snapped Northwestern’s four-game winning streak in a 28-21 decision in Lincoln, Neb.

The 28 points the Wildcats allowed were almost the team’s high for the season, save a 34-14 setback to Oregon on Sept. 13. Northwestern allowed just 42 points combined in wins over UCLA, Louisiana-Monroe, Penn State and a shutout of Purdue between the two losses.

The Wildcats are allowing an average of just 16.8 points per game this season, which is the 13th fewest in the nation.

The Trojans’ output dipped to 39.8 points per game after the win over Nebraska, still good for eighth-most nationally. Quarterback Jayden Maiava remains ranked in the top 10 of the FBS for average passing yardage with 289.4 per contest.

With Nebraska limiting Maiava to season lows of nine completions on 23 attempts and 135 yards, Southern Cal leaned on its run game, which Northwestern coach David Braun highlighted as an element that makes the Trojans dangerous.

“With the style of offense they play, it can be easy to fall into thinking they’re passing the ball all over the place. That’s not the case,” Braun said. “They’re very balanced. They’re running the ball very effectively. … Scary operation.”

With Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders both sidelined due to injuries, King Miller stepped up for 129 yards on 18 carries. He has exceeded 100 yards in two of the Trojans’ last three outings, also rushing for 158 yards against Michigan.

Southern California’s ground game is among the most effective in college football, averaging 5.8 yards per carry — ninth-most in the nation.

Northwestern will counter with a front seven, and specifically a linebacker group, that Trojans coach Lincoln Riley called a “really smart group” when discussing the Wildcats defense following practice on Tuesday.

“Tough and physical,” he said. “You can tell they communicate really well (because) you don’t see a lot of busts. …They don’t give up a lot of big plays.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) drops back to throw the ball in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

No. 23 USC puts potent passing game on line vs. Nebraska

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 23 Southern California will carry its high-powered offense into Saturday night’s game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

The contrast of styles will shape a crucial matchup for two teams looking to stay in the upper half of the Big Ten race.

Nebraska (6-2, 3-2) avoided falling on the wrong side of .500 in league play when it beat Northwestern 28-21 last week. The victory marked the Cornhuskers’ lowest defensive yield since the team opened the season giving up 24 combined points in the first three games.

“Great secondary, great guys up front,” Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava said of Nebraska. “I see it as another great opportunity for us and the boys to showcase what we’ve been practicing.”

The Cornhuskers head into this week giving up 19.6 points per game, the 30th-lowest average nationally, but now must contend with the country’s team leader in passing yards (326.1) and total yards (530) per contest.

Souithern California (5-2, 3-1) is averaging 42.4 points per game behind Maiava, whose 311.4 passing yards per game rank third-most in FBS. Wide receiver Makai Lemon is second in the nation with 108.3 receiving yards per game.

Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule credited the Trojans’ explosive passing game in part to their ability to play physical, run-based offense and throw defenses off-balance.

“You play USC, and they’re going to run power football over here, but if you’re not careful, they’re going to throw over here and make one block, then it’s a 60-yard touchdown,” Rhule said.

To that end, USC has a trio of running backs who have rushed for at least 264 yards — though two are sidelined. Waymond Jordan, the team’s leading rusher at 576 yards and five touchdowns, underwent ankle surgery following a 31-13 win over then-No. 15 Michigan on Oct. 11.

Eli Sanders, who rushed for 264 yards in five games, is out for the season with a knee injury.

Bryan Jackson stepped into Sanders’ change-of-pace role and delivered 35 yards on just five carries with a touchdown in the Trojans’ rout of Michigan. Jackson finished with 22 yards on six carries the following week in a 34-24 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 18, USC’s lowest-scoring game of the season by seven points.

The Trojans ran for a season-low 68 yards vs. the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame stifling the run contributed to Maiava having his lowest completion percentage of the season at 52.4. It also marked his third straight contest with at least one pick after going the first four without throwing one.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola avoided an interception in the Cornhuskers’ first three games. He threw three — including a pick-six — in an Oct. 11 win over Maryland. Raiola has been picked off six times over Nebraska’s last five games.

“You want to possess the football as much as you can,” Huskers offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said. “(USC is) obviously really good offensively, and they’re going to have their moments. … But we want to control the ball.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws a pass in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Jayden Maiava, No. 20 USC brace for No. 13 Notre Dame

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Coach Lincoln Riley and No. 20 Southern California had little time to enjoy their big win over Michigan last week.

That is because the Trojans’ next test might be even tougher.

Southern California (5-1) will look to knock off a ranked opponent for the second week in a row when it faces No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2) on Saturday evening in South Bend, Ind.

Riley said his players could not get comfortable after rolling to a 31-13 win at home over then-No. 15 Michigan. Jayden Maiava passed for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Trojans, and King Miller rushed for 158 yards and a score.

“Now, it’s on to the next,” Riley said. “When you play our schedule, there’s not too much time to celebrate. We know we’ve got another big football game coming up.”

The Trojans will play a Notre Dame squad that has won four straight contests after dropping its first two games of the season. The Fighting Irish allowed 98 points in their first three games combined, but they have allowed only 27 total points in their past three.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said the key to continued success will be physicality.

“This game’s going to be about velocity,” Freeman said. “I often say, ‘We got to get bloody.’ It’s got to be that type of mindset. This (has) got to be a physical, bloody game that isn’t about, ‘How can we outsmart them?’ This is going to be, ‘How do we outphysical this group, and how do we play with that mindset to win this game?’”

Maiava has passed for 1,852 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions for Southern California. His top target is Makai Lemon, a highly touted NFL prospect who has caught 44 passes for 682 yards and six touchdowns.

Notre Dame is led on offense by CJ Carr, who has passed for 1,622 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Fighting Irish feature a one-two punch in the backfield with Jeremiyah Love (530 rushing yards, eight TDs) and Jadarian Price (422 rushing yards, seven TDs).

This will be the 95th all-time meeting between the programs. Notre Dame leads the series 52-37-5, including a 29-13-2 advantage at home.

The teams met last season, with Notre Dame holding on for a 49-35 win on Nov. 30 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Price (111 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Love (99 rushing yards, 1 TD) led the Fighting Irish, and Lemon caught nine passes for 133 yards for Southern California.

Notre Dame knows it again will be a challenge to stop Lemon. The main reason: Lemon’s versatility in how he can beat a defense.

“You want to play zone, he’ll find a way to find open space,” Freeman said. “If you want to get on-body, what we call it, he can run by you. He can make you miss. He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s got great ball skills. There’s not a simple answer or solution to defending him.”

-Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett (0) runs the ball in for a touchdown after intercepting it during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

After extended delay, USC opens Big Ten play with win at Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jayden Maiava threw for 282 yards and rushed for a touchdown while defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett returned an interception for a score as Southern California opened Big Ten play with a 33-17 win over Purdue Saturday night in West Lafayette, Ind.

Maiava completed 17 of 28 passes as the Trojans (3-0, 1-0) rolled up 460 total yards and kept the ball for 34:07. Ja’Kobi Lane caught three passes for 115 yards, while Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders added 77 and 75 rushing yards, respectively.

Ryan Browne hit 24 of 39 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown for the Boilermakers (2-1, 0-1), but also tossed three interceptions. One of those was a tipped pass that the 6-foot-5, 360-pound Jarrett gathered in at the USC 30 and lugged 70 yards for a touchdown and a 30-10 advantage with 2:15 left in the third quarter.

Browne found Nitro Tuggle for a 9-yard score 43 seconds into the fourth quarter, and had the Boilermakers on the verge of another touchdown when he was picked by Bishop Fitzgerald at the 2 with 5:37 left. The Trojans converted that into Ryon Sayeri’s fourth field goal, a 19-yarder with 1:10 remaining.

The pregame storyline was a thunderstorm that swept over Ross-Ade Stadium and delayed the opening kickoff for over three hours. But once things got going, USC was able to keep Purdue at arm’s length by scoring on its first three drives.

Sayeri converted the first of his field goals, a 24-yarder, at the 7:39 mark of the first quarter. Maiava scored on a 3-yard run on the first play of the second quarter, capping an 80-yard drive.

After Spencer Porath got Purdue on the board with a 39-yard field goal with 10:49 left in the half, the Trojans marched 75 yards and chewed up over seven minutes of clock. Jordan got the touchdown on a 6-yard run and USC took a 17-3 lead into halftime.

The Trojans outgained the Boilermakers 263-134 in the first half, enabling them to overcome six penalties for 70 yards.

Tuggle (69), EJ Horton (70) and Michael Jackson III (70) combined for 209 receiving yards on 16 catches.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch watches his team warm up before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Former Pac-12 foes USC, Washington set to test mettle

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This wasn’t the way Washington or Southern California expected their first season of Big Ten Conference football to go.

When the former Pacific-12 Conference powers meet Saturday in Seattle, it won’t be for a spot in the College Football Playoff but for mere bowl eligibility.

Both Southern California (4-4 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) and Washington (4-4, 2-3) need to win two of their remaining four games to reach the six-victory threshold to qualify for the postseason.

“I told our team, ‘Don’t predict the future,’” Huskies coach Jedd Fisch said. “‘Don’t try to figure out what’s going to happen in two weeks, in three weeks, in one week. Just figure out what’s going to happen today, and then let’s see what Saturday brings.’”

Washington, which has lost its past two games, faces a tougher road to bowl eligibility, as it still has trips to No. 3 Penn State and No. 1 Oregon on the schedule. It also as a home game against UCLA.

The Huskies are 4-0 at home this season, while Southern California is 0-3 on the road.

“It’s important to win at home,” Fisch said. “It’s important to beat a longtime Pac-12 foe. It’s important to stop a two-game skid. It’s important to get better. And we’re going to do everything we can to do that. We know we have a great challenge. It’s important for them, also.”

The Trojans, who have games remaining against Nebraska and rivals UCLA and Notre Dame, snapped a three-game losing streak with a 42-20 victory last week at Rutgers. Sophomore Makai Lemon had four receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown for the winners.

“I don’t know if it’s relief as much as affirmation of who we are, what we believe in,” Trojans quarterback Miller Moss said. “I give a ton of credit to the guys in that locker room, the staff, with the whole program on how we continue to come together and continue to fight through adversity. It’s great to close one out and hopefully get on a run here in the back half of the season.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

With Pac-12 title game in sight, No. 6 Oregon welcomes USC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sixth-ranked Oregon will try to move one game closer to reaching its fourth Pac-12 championship game in five seasons when it welcomes visiting Southern California to Eugene, Ore., on Saturday.

The Ducks (8-1, 5-1) held firm at No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday, tops among all one-loss teams. They roll into Saturday’s matchup winners of three straight, all by at least 14 points, after last week’s 63-19 blowout of Cal.

Quarterback Bo Nix enters the game a rising candidate for the Heisman Trophy with 2,723 yards on 235-of-301 passing with 25 touchdowns against just two interceptions.

Nix has also rushed for five touchdowns to pace the nation’s most prolific scoring offense at 47.4 points per game. USC is second in the nation at 45.5 ppg.

The Trojans (7-3, 5-2) have scored no fewer than 32 points in any of their conference games behind reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

Williams went 27 of 35 for 312 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for another score last week vs. Washington, but the USC defense surrendered a season high in points for the second time in as many weeks in a 52-42 loss.

The Trojans gave up 49 points a week prior in a one-point win at Cal and come into Oregon having allowed at least 41 points in five of their last six outings.

USC’s defensive struggles led to the dismissal of coordinator Alex Grinch on Sunday. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom were promoted to co-defensive coordinators to replace Grinch.

“Any time you have a situation like this, you start to look at, OK, who would be the next man up, the same way that you would an injured player,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said on his weekly radio show appearance on Monday. “(Nua and Odom) both have great experience coaching their positions.”

The new co-defensive coordinators face a considerable task for the Trojans’ final two games. USC has allowed 34.5 points per game, more than any other power-conference team save Cal.

In last week’s loss — which put the Trojans in a must-win position this week to salvage any hope of making the Pac-12 championship game — USC gave up 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns to Washington’s Dillon Johnson.

Oregon, meanwhile, boasts one of the conference’s top ball carriers in Bucky Irving. He averages 91.2 rushing yards per game, has scored nine touchdowns on the ground and gains an average of 6.9 yards per carry.

Saturday will not be an Oregon team’s first time seeing an Odom-coordinated defense. Ducks coach Dan Lanning noted that Odom called the defense in Oklahoma’s 47-32 Alamo Bowl win over Oregon in December 2021, prior to Lanning’s arrival. Odom took over play-calling duties for that game after Grinch left to follow Riley to Los Angeles.

“There will be a lot of similarities to some of the stuff they already do,” Lanning said during his Monday news conference. “That group will probably have some new wrinkles we potentially haven’t seen. But it all comes back to what football’s all about: tackling, blocking, breaking tackles, making catches.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) reacts against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No. 6 USC vies to continue fast start vs. rival Stanford

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It’s the beginning of the end in the Pac-12 for No. 6 Southern California this weekend, and it’s only fitting that it starts with its oldest opponent in the conference: Stanford.

The Trojans and Cardinal have been going toe-to-toe with each other since 1905. They will add a chapter in their storied legacy Saturday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

USC (2-0) has come out hot, albeit against subpar competition. The Trojans overwhelmed their first two opponents — San Jose State and Nevada — by a combined score of 122-42. The offense has been clicking on all cylinders, solidified under center by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

The No. 1 prospect for the 2024 draft, according to Field Level Media and other outlets, Williams already has thrown nine touchdown passes to five different receivers. Against Nevada, he completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts for 319 yards and five TDs and added a 46-yard scramble in just three quarters.

It’s a stereotypical Lincoln Riley team thus far. The offense is buzzing, but the defense still is the biggest question mark. It’s hard to get a grasp of the defense given the opposition, although Riley has been encouraged with what he’s seen.

“The guys really stepped up and communicated; you saw the run defense was really stout all night. Other than two fade balls we gave up … we played really clean football,” Riley said. “For us, it’s just a steady climb; we can’t beat anyone until we play them. I think we took some really positive steps (against Nevada), but with college football, every week is its own story.”

Stanford (1-0) poses a bigger test for that USC defense this weekend. Last week, in a 37-24 victory over Hawaii, the Cardinal rolled up 406 yards of offense in a balanced attack.

Quarterback Ashton Daniels played well in his first career start, completing 25 of 36 passes with 248 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also was active on the ground, rushing 11 times for 42 yards.

Daniels already seems to have found a favorite target in senior tight end Benjamin Yurosek, who had nine catches for 138 yards and a touchdown against the Rainbow Warriors. It was his career high in receiving yards and one catch away from tying his personal best in catches.

Stanford first-year coach Troy Taylor has to earn his money to return the once-illustrious program to its winning ways. The Cardinal has a 14-28 record in the last four seasons but made a statement in their season-opening win.

“Going in with such a young team, you’re waiting to see how they react to adversity, and when things don’t go their way, they did a great job,” Taylor said. “They hung in there. There were a number of different times when the momentum could have swung the other way, and I thought all three phases of the game were great.”

The Trojans hold the advantage in the all-time series against the Cardinal, posting a record of 64-34-3.

“This will be potentially the last time these schools match up for a long time, and there’s a lot of significance to that,” Riley said. “We need (the Coliseum) rocking next Saturday.”

–Field Level Media

Notre Dame's Audric Estim during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Indiana.

USC, Notre Dame massive favorites in Week 0

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Welcome back college football, where being a favorite in Week 0 easily equates to a double-digit point spread.

No. 13 Notre Dame is the first team out of the gate with a 2:31 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. The Fighting Irish roll into the matchup with Navy as 20.5-point favorites and won the last meeting in Ireland by 40 points.

Southern Cal is favored by 30.5 points over San Jose State in the lone Week 0 nightcap involving a Top 25 team. That’s the biggest number to cover on the board Saturday.

UTEP vs. Jacksonville State is the tightest spread available at BetMGM among Week 0 games on the board with the Aztecs favored by 2.5 points.

Navy has a new coach, but the same pesky — archaic might apply — offensive scheme. The triple-option can be prone to long drives, less points and fewer possessions. But that’s only when it works.

The Irish have speed and depth on defense that shouldn’t be overlooked even facing an unconventional scheme. With months and weeks to prepare, Notre Dame shouldn’t be surprised or undisciplined, the undoing of teams who rarely overlap with the option attack.

Skill-position talent and offensive line play are major Notre Dame advantages.

If the Fighting Irish pull away early, Notre Dame’s playmakers in the secondary might become the story.

–Notre Dame vs. Navy
By the book (FanDuel)
Spread: Navy +20.5
Over-under: 50.5 total points
Money line: Navy +800; Notre Dame -1400
Noteworthy TD scorer props:
Notre Dame RB Audric Estime -270
Notre Dame RB Chris Tyree -125
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman -105
Notre Dame WR Tobias Merriweather +100
Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans +110
Notre Dame WR Jayden Thomas +120
Navy QB Tai Lavatai +175
Notre Dame defense +420

–Field Level Media

Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) celebrates Tahj Washington (16) scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Williams, No. 6 USC set sights on San Jose State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Heisman Trophy in hand, USC quarterback Caleb Williams feels like he has unfinished business as the 2023 season kicks off.

Determined to add a national championship to his resume, Williams begins that quest Saturday when the sixth-ranked Trojans take on San Jose State in Los Angeles.

Williams more than measured up to expectations in his first season with the Trojans.

Aside from setting USC single-season records for total offense (4,919 combined yards) and touchdowns (52), Williams was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year and was the seventh Trojan to win the Heisman.

Now among favorites to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams insists his focus is anywhere but individual accolades.

“We’ve got a lot to go get this year,” Williams said. “Everyone has the same goal and mindset this year. A whatever-it-takes kind of mindset to get all of what we want. It’s going to be a good year. Can’t wait.”

In addition to seeing how Williams will follow up his Heisman season, USC coach Lincoln Riley has other reasons to be excited, as he feels like his team is extremely deep heading into the season opener.

“Little more competition across the board. There was probably less position battles at this point (last year), or you kind of knew who was gonna play,” Riley said. “But there’s still a lot of youth on this team.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, we got a lot of growing. We’ll have to grow some during these early games.”

Riley, also entering his second season in LA, led the Trojans to an 11-3 record in 2022.

The Spartans have lost all five of their all-time meetings with USC, but San Jose State coach Brent Brennan believes this year’s group has what it takes to end the losing streak.

“It’s been a great training camp, our players have worked extremely hard,” Brennan said. “I feel really good about our coaching staff and the teaching and just the vibe and the culture of this team I think is really healthy. As you look at our schedule, we’re gonna need it. We’re opening with an incredible opponent with USC.”

Chevan Cordeiro, who was named Mountain West Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, returns as the starting quarterback for SJSU.

Cordeiro spent four seasons at Hawaii before joining the Spartans last season. He tallied 3,251 yards passing with 23 TDs and six interceptions.

Brennan is preparing for Cordeiro’s counterpart, and knows that slowing down Williams will be a tall task.

“We’re playing against the best player in America, right? And so that presents a whole different kind of challenge,” Brennan said. “He’s very strong, it’s hard to get him down, and his ability to make every throw — whether he’s in the pocket or on the move — makes him incredibly hard to defend.

“So that’s gonna be a big challenge for our team.”

San Jose State safety Tre Jenkins will look to help disrupt the Trojans’ passing attack. A three-time All-Mountain West honorable mention, Jenkins tied a career high with two interceptions last season to go along with a career-best seven pass breakups.

–Field Level Media