Gold confetti rang down on the USC Trojans as they celebrated an epic victory over the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. It was an instant classic that saw USC Football come from behind and top the Tigers 27-20.

It’s only one game, sure, but the score, and the game that was played, is a telling sign of this team.

This USC Football Team Is Different

In the 2023 season, USC held a total of two opponents to fewer than 21 points. Nevada in Week 2, and Stanford in Week 3. Outside of those two games, opponents averaged 38.5 points per game. The LSU offense averaged 45.5 points in 2023.

Obviously, LSU lost their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and two wide receivers in the first round. But they did return a lot of talent and one of the best offensive lines in the country, many believe THE best in the country.

USC set out to fix their defense. We have talked about it at nausea, but in its first test, against a great offensive line, solid skill players, and a talented quarterback, they were certainly up to the test.

Especially when it mattered most. Who had flashbacks of the 2023 Utah game when LSU got the ball back after SC took a three-point lead? I know I sure did.

LSU was able to muster three points to tie the game, but it was the stand the defense made in the red zone that was impressive. They displayed a grit and tenacity that we haven’t seen before in the Lincoln Riley era.

This USC Football team is different.

Tackling And Fundamentals

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this early glimpse of the 2024 defense is the simple things that have improved drastically. There is still work to be done, sure, but the open-field tackling, hats on the ball, and fundamentals such as setting the edge, are night and day from last year.

They certainly have gotten a boost from players like Kamari Ramsey, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Akili Arnold, and others, but returning players such as Jaylin Smith, Mason Cobb, and Eric Gentry were playing with their hair on fire and making open-field tackles that were constantly missed last season.

For a fairly underrated front seven going up against the vaunted LSU offensive line, USC certainly held its own, especially in the run game.

LSU finished the game with 117 total rushing yards, but 39 of those came on one busted play.

Speaking of busted plays, with a brand new defensive scheme and many new players, a few busted plays should be expected. I counted two, the aforementioned 39-yard run straight up the gut, and a 41-yard completion over the middle to Aaron Anderson on 3rd down.

These need to be fixed and cannot happen every game, but these plays (typically more) did happen multiple times every game last season. Definitely a need for improvement, but with improved communication throughout the season, it feels like these will become a thing of the past in the future.

This USC Football team is different.

It’s Miller Time

It may have been a quarterback battle during the Spring and Fall camp, but that debate is firmly over now.

This is Miller Moss’s team.

Statistically, Moss finished with a fantastic line of 27-36, for 378 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions, but what was more impressive was his leadership and poise.

Throughout the ups and downs of this gridiron battle, he never once looked phased, never once like he was too small for the moment.

Even after multiple batted balls and a failed 4th-down attempt, he stayed resilient and led his Trojans on a game-winning drive late in the 4th quarter. He stood tall in the pocket, and was decisive in his decision-making, throwing dimes all over the field.

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Earlier in the game, when LSU made the mistake of jumping offsides, he made them pay and hit Ja’Kobi Lane on a beautiful over-the-shoulder pass in the end zone.

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier also played a fantastic game, take nothing away from him, but when it mattered most, on a drive to take the lead back, he faltered, failed to meet the moment, and LSU settled for a field goal, setting up a glorious beginning for the Moss Era.

The last time the USC Trojans played in this building (Allegiant Stadium), they fell at the hands of the Utah Utes in the PAC12 Championship game. QB Caleb Williams was injured early in the game, and Moss wondered if his name would be called that night, for a chance to lead his team to a championship.

It was not. An emotional moment and inner battle that he and coach Lincoln Riley have talked about this offseason.

Now, roughly a year and a half later, Moss walks off the home field for the Silver and Black laden in gold confetti. The USC Trojans are his team, and the season has nothing but potential.

This USC Football team is different.