LOS ANGELES — The USC Trojans‘ defense may finally be finding its identity. For the second straight week, D’Anton Lynn’s unit clamped down after halftime, surrendering just three points in the final two quarters and powering the Trojans to a 38–17 victory over Northwestern on Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
The numbers tell the story: over the last two weeks, USC has given up only three total points in second halves, holding opponents to just 103 total yards after intermission in the win over Northwestern — including a stingy 28 yards rushing.
It’s part of a growing trend under Lynn, who has seen his defense deliver four halves this season where opponents managed just a field goal, including strong showings against undermanned Purdue and Missouri State.
USC Trojans’ Defense Is Trending In The Right Direction
Last week in Lincoln, the USC Trojans’ second-half dominance began when Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was knocked out of the game with a broken fibula after being sacked by USC defensive end Anthony Lucas in the third quarter. The injury ended Raiola’s season and forced true freshman TJ Lateef, a Southern California product from Orange Lutheran High School, into action.
Lateef completed just 5 of 7 passes for a mere seven yards the rest of the way, rendering the Cornhusker offense one-dimensional. Lynn’s defense capitalized, allowing only 106 total yards in the second half as the USC Trojans pulled away for a decisive road win.
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Against Northwestern, the Trojans allowed only 280 total yards, marking the third time this season — and second consecutive week — that USC has kept an opponent under 300 yards of offense. While skeptics may note that Raiola’s injury contributed to Nebraska’s collapse, the defensive consistency since then suggests Lynn’s halftime adjustments are starting to stick.
Head coach Lincoln Riley praised that progress, especially on key downs:
“I think we were better on third down. We did a better job in the run game, but the third-down defense is what I really point towards,” Riley said. “We kind of settled in there a little bit. We thought we had some opportunities with a couple of calls early in the game to get off the field. We didn’t make the play. But give credit to the coaches and the guys. They were talking about those adjustments. And then three points the rest of the way out was huge.”
The USC Trojans’ defense, long the team’s Achilles’ heel, suddenly looks like its stabilizing force — and perhaps, its key to staying relevant down the Big Ten stretch. Still, the Trojans have twice faltered on the road this season against balanced offenses — at Illinois and in South Bend against Notre Dame — exposing lingering vulnerabilities against teams that can both run and throw effectively.
They’ll face another major test in two weeks up in Eugene, where Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks feature one of the conference’s most balanced, explosive attacks, complemented by the physical running style of Noah Whittington. Can Lynn and the Trojan defense build on the momentum of the last two games?
They must, because it’s the key to their 2025 College Football Playoff aspirations.