This is not last year’s USC Trojans team. They may have flirted with tendencies from last year and gave faithful fans heart attacks, but this is not last year’s team.
On Michigan State’s opening possession, the secondary had another blown coverage that left Chrishon McCray wide open for a 42-yard touchdown. It was not the start the Trojans wanted on defense.
But after that, the unit improved dramatically and tightened up. They would only give up 3 more points in the first half, and that was after the offense turned the ball over on downs, giving the Michigan State offense a short field.
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The 2nd half started with the USC Trojans’ defense taking the field first. They forced a quick three-and-out. The offense took over and only needed four plays to drive all the way down the field and punch it in the endzone. The Trojans would take a 31-10 lead and look as if they were going to run away with the game.
Then disaster struck.
Hello Darkness My Old Friend
On the next possession, the defense forced another quick three-and-out. Dominance looked like it was beginning to set in. Not so fast, my friend.
A phantom running into the kicker call (punter) turned a 4th and 7 into 4th and 2. Michigan State decided to send the offense back out and go for it.
The USC defense would do its job again and force a turnover on downs. But wait. There were 12 men on the field…automatic first down.
Then a pass interference call on DeCarlos Nicholson and another hands to the face penalty, and the Spartans were sitting at 1st and Goal on the 4-yard line. They would punch it in on the next play.
31-17.
Then, on the USC Trojans’ offense’s first play, wide receiver DJ Jordan fumbled, giving the ball right back to Sparty. They would score with the short field, and the demons from last year were circling the Coliseum.
31-24.
This would have been a monumental collapse that would have rendered complete last season. But this is not last year’s USC Trojans.
This Is Not Last Year’s USC Trojans
Whatever happened on the sidelines next should be studied. The offense orchestrated a beautiful 13-play drive for a touchdown, which saw a 4th down conversion and burned 7 minutes and 20 seconds off the clock.
It may not have been as pretty, but that was easily the Trojans best drive of the game.
— Ryan Dyrud (@RyanDyrudLAFB) September 21, 2025
After a ton of adversity in the 3rd quarter, MSU pulling within one score, the offense puts together a 13-play drive that converted a 3rd down, a 4th down conversion, and took over 7 min
This was arguably the most important drive in the Lincoln Riley-SC era. You might say that sounds dramatic, considering it’s only Week 4 and against a mediocre Michigan State team, but it was important to instill that the culture is shifting.
Shifting towards a team that doesn’t collapse. A team that, in the face of adversity, can rise to the occasion and steal the momentum back.
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The Trojans’ defense would force a turnover on downs on the next possession, the offense quickly scored another touchdown, and took back a commanding 45-24 lead.
This is not last year’s USC Trojans team. Now, just how far can this year’s iteration go? Let the pilgrimage begin.
Fight On.