In what felt like a playoff game courtesy of an electric atmosphere in Allegiant Stadium, the USC Trojans got their first AP top 15 win since 2017 and the inaugural signature win of the Lincoln Riley era.
A Hollywood-style ending capped a wildly competitive game as Woody Marks’13-yard scamper into the endzone with eight seconds left, sent the Cardinal & Gold faithful into a delirious frenzy worthy of a Sin City weekend. Here are three major takeaways for the Men of Troy.
USC Trojans Have An Unflappable Leader
Miller Moss’ virtuoso performance went well beyond a significant stat line of 27/36 for 378 yards and one touchdown. It was his ability to make all the throws – back shoulder, fade, zip, touch, in rhythm, off-platform – while simultaneously having the willingness to stand in the pocket and absorb punishment that truly made this a special night.
On the Trojans’ final two drives of the game, Moss went 7/8 for 104 yards and a touchdown while leading both possessions to paydirt. He demonstrated a Brady-esque poise particularly on that last drive utilizing all dimensions of the field with a maturity nearly unprecedented for someone making his second career start.
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In a game pitting two essentially equal teams, it’s the team that flinches first that usually loses. On that final LSU drive under two minutes as the Tigers got to second down inside the USC Trojans red zone and poised to retake the lead, Garrett Nussmeier misread a zone read to running back John Emery Jr. and then outright short-armed a ball into the flat.
That was followed by a forced throw on 3rd down where it seemed like he hesitated for a split second to call a timeout.
Nussmeier flinched. Moss was unflappable. And that was the difference between the Trojan Family dancing into the night, while Brian Kelly was distraughtly smacking tables.
A Front Seven From The Ashes
This was unquestionably the most satisfying dimension of the USC Trojans triumph. Had USC won a shootout 45-42 or 49-45, we would be leaving Las Vegas with the same questions as 2023, namely, pondering if USC’s defense was credible enough to put this program into viable playoff contention.
However, winning a game in this defensive fashion, 27-20, was the ideal outcome for the future of this program. A front seven that went against four NFL offensive linemen and arguably the best unit in college football, limited the Tigers to just 117 rushing yards on 26 attempts.
Although they didn’t get a sack and only had three tackles for loss, their ability to make life consistently challenging for LSU in between the tackles and their refusal to let go of the proverbial rope, while only allowing one big running play the whole night is what enabled Moss to be the contest’s hero.
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A key moment in the game was late in the 3rd quarter with LSU having possession while up 17-13. There was a sense the Trojan defense was on the cusp of getting knocked out of the ring by Emery Jr. and company.
On 3rd & 1, Eric Gentry’s crash on the LSU running back to stuff that play and maintain a one-possession game was a turning point. In fact, Gentry, Mason Cobb, and safety Kamari Ramsey were the game’s three unsung heroes, combining for 25 tackles.
Weapons By Committee
There was a question nationally about how this young group of receivers would self-select and carry the torch from the likes of Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice. An emphatic performance of meritocracy left seven Trojan players with at least 20 yards receiving – highlighted by Zachariah Branch’s spectacular open-field choreography.
But the human highlight film of the night was unanimously Kyron Hudson with his breathtaking two one-handed grabs, the first of which could very well end up as the ESPY Play of the Year in college football. Not many would have penciled in Hudson as the game’s star wideout, but a testament to the depth of offensive talent the Trojans possess – certainly a matchup nightmare for all on the remaining schedule.
There are still questions about the offensive line’s ability to open up running lanes, how this front four will rush the passer consistently, and the level of aggressiveness from the secondary. But those are all questions for another day – for now, USC Trojans everywhere can rejoice in this team’s biggest triumph in nearly a decade.