Miller Moss and USC play lights out in blowout victory over Utah State
It seemed, at first, like a strange fit. A West Coast power, known for its flash, paired with a conference known for its bulk and corn-fed brawn. Two years of patronizing tones from the rest of the Big Ten Conference suggested as much about USC, which, until this fall, hadn’t offered much reason to believe it belonged in such a weight class.
But as the mightiest the Big Ten had to offer were beaten up Saturday, USC didn’t just look the part of a conference heavyweight in a 48-0 beatdown of Utah State. It bullied its way to the forefront of the College Football Playoff conversation before its Big Ten slate had even begun.
That effort started, once again, on defense, where USC’s rebuilt unit clamped down, pitching a shutout for the first time since November 2011. The No. 13 Trojans held Utah State to 190 yards and gave up just one third-down conversion, and only twice did the Aggies get past the 50-yard line before the final minutes.
Utah State misses long field goal, USC defense preserves a shutout
Utah State started on its 25 after the touchback.
Herschel Turner ran for 19 yards.
Bryson Barnes’ pass to Josh Sterzer for seven yards was complete. Sterzer fumbled and Utah State’s Colby Bowman recovered at the USC 49.
Barnes passed to Colby Bowman for a one-yard gain and they connected again for an eight-yard gain.
Turner rushed for two yards.
On second-and-eight at the USC 40, Turner ran for 15 yards, carrying the pile for a few yards. Turner ran the ball again for another five yards, moving the ball to the USC 20.
Kameryn Fountain dropped Turner for a four-yard loss.
On second-and-five at the USC 20, play stopped for the end of half two-minute timeout.
Utah State was called for a flash start, then Turner was dropped for a six-yard loss.
Elliott Nimrod attempted a 52-yard field goal that was off target and the defensive coaches and players erupted in celebration on the sideline as the shutout was preserved.
USC took a knee twice to run out the clock.
No. 13 USC 48, Utah State 0, end of fourth quarter
USC’s A’Marion Peterson scores his first touchdown
USC started on its 49 after a delay due to light issues.
Jayden Maiava passed to Charles Ross for 11 yards. Bryan Jackson ran for three yards. Maiava passed to Jaden Richardson for 19 yards.
Maiava’s pass to Jaden Richardson was incomplete.
A’Marion Peterson ran for six yards.
On third-and-four at the Utah State 12, Lincoln Riley called timeout. Maiava passed to Lyons for three yards.
On fourth-and-one, A’Marion Peterson ran for a nine-yard touchdown.
Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
No. 13 USC 48, Utah State 0, 6:32 left in the fourth quarter
Play resumes after lighting issue
USC officials managed to get lights back on and play resumed at The Coliseum.
No. 13 USC 41, Utah State 0, 10:12 left in the fourth quarter
Malfunctioning lights delays game
USC athletic director Jenn Cohen and coach Lincoln Riley huddled with officials in the fourth quarter discussed lighting issues after a power outage has slowly spread. It previously impacted the upper corners of the stadium, but another bank went out and it’s casting more shadows on the field.
It’s unclear what caused the power outage, but a heat wave has generally caused outages in the region.
No. 13 USC 41, Utah State 0, 10:12 left in the fourth quarter
Utah State quickly punts
Utah State started on its 12-yard line.
The Aggies were called false start.
On first-and-15, Bryson Barnes passed to Kyrese White for eight yards. Herschel Turner ran for three yards.
On third-and-four, Barnes’ deep pass was incomplete.
Utah State got another delay of game penalty before punting. Zachariah Branch took a fair catch at the USC 49.
No. 13 USC 41, Utah State 0, 10:12 left in the fourth quarter
USC kicks a rare punt
USC started on the 50-yard line.
Jayden Maiava’s first pass to Jay Fair across the middle was incomplete. A’Marion Peterson ran for three yards.
On third-and-seven at the Utah State 47, Maiava’s pass to Kade Eldridge was incomplete.
The Trojans punted and Utah State signaled for a fair catch at the Aggies’ 12-yard line.
No. 13 USC 41, Utah State 0, 11:37 left in the fourth quarter
USC forces another Utah State punt
Utah State started on its 30-yard line.
Bryson Barnes passed to Broc Lane for five yards. Rashul Faison ran for three yards, but Utah State was called for holding and took a 10-yard loss. Faison ran for three yards.
On third-and-12 at the Utah State 23, Barnes’ pass was incomplete.
Utah State punted and the ball bounced out of bounds at the 50-yard line.
No. 13 USC 41, Utah State 0, 12:16 left in the fourth quarter
Jayden Maiava scores his first touchdown on broken play
USC faced second-and-goal at the Utah State eight-yard line to open the fourth quarter.
Jayden Maiava passed to Jay Fair for one yard.
Maiava spun out of a collapsing pocket and sure tackle twice and then ran up the middle for an eight-yard touchdown.
USC coach Lincoln Riley and starter Miller Moss laughed and celebrated Maiava’s push to get the touchdown after the play broke down.
Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
No. 13 USC 41, Utah State 0, 14:15 left in the fourth quarter
Jayden Maiava makes his USC debut
USC started on its 41-yard line.
Jayden Maiava took over at quarterback for Miller Moss, making his USC debut in the blowout.
Quinten Joyner rushed for one yard. Maiava passed and Kyle Ford completed a diving catch for 22 yards. Maiava then passed to Walker Lyons for nine yards. Maiava’s next pass to Bryan Jackson was complete for no gain. Jackson ran for six yards on the next play.
On first down at the Utah State 21, Jackson ran for 12 yards.
Maiava passed to Lyons for one yard as time expired in the third quarter.
No. 13 USC 34, Utah State 0, end of third quarter
USC forces another quick punt
Afer the touchback, Utah State started on its 25-yard line.
Bryson Barnes passed to Jalen Royals for no gain. Herschel Turner then ran for four yards. Barnes was sacked by Akili Arnold and Devan Thompson for a five-yard loss.
Utah State punted and Zachariah Branch returned it four yards to the USC 41-yard line.
No. 13 USC 34, Utah State 0, 3:23 left in the third quarter
USC racks up another rushing touchdown
USC coach Lincoln Riley said the team wanted to run the ball more after the Trojans’ rushing yards were limited at LSU.
The Trojans continued to follow his directions in the third quarter, gashing the Utah State defense on the ground.
USC started on its 44 after the fourth-down stop.
Miller Moss rushed for seven yards. He then passed to Quinten Joyner for nine yards. Joyner rushed for five yards to the Utah State 35 and then tacked on another five-yard run.
Moss passed to JaKobi Lane for four yards. Bryan Jackson ran for another four yards. On third-and-two at the Utah State 22, Joyner ran for seven yards.
Moss’ pass to Zachariah Branch was nearly intercepted, with Ike Larsen jumping the route, but he couldn’t get the ball and it fell incomplete.
Moss passed to Kade Eldridge for 11 yards.
On first-and-goal at the four, Joyner ran for two yards. Joyner then ran up the middle and punched the ball in for a touchdown.
Michael Lantz hit the extra point to extend USC’s lead.
No. 13 USC 34, Utah State 0, 5:31 left in the third quarter
USC defense gets fourth-down stop to open third quarter
Utah State started the third quarter on its 30-yard line.
Rahshul Faison ran for six yards. Bryson Barnes then passed to Kyrese White for seven yards.
Barnes’ next pass was incomplete. He then passed to Broc Lane for 16 yards.
Faison ran for three yards to the USC 38. Barnes then was sacked by Eric Gentry for a loss of five yards
On third-and-12, Utah State called timeout.
Barnes tried to run up the middle and was quickly wrapped up by the USC defense.
Utah State went for it on fourth down and Kamari Ramsey hit Barnes as he took a one-yard loss.
No. 13 USC 27, Utah State 0, 11:11 left in the third quarter
USC owns commanding halftime lead
Utah State started on its 25-yard line after the touchback. The Aggies rushed for no gain and the first half ended.
No. 13 USC 27, Utah State 0, end of the second quarter
Miller Moss helps USC stretch its lead
USC started on Utah State’s 37.
Woody Marks ran for five yards.
Miller Moss passed to Lake McRee for four yards.
Moss then passed to Marks between two defenders and Marks held onto the ball while taking a big hit for 19 yards.
Marks ran for another seven yards before a USC timeout.
Moss pased to Zachariah Branch for a three-yard loss. Moss then pased to Marks for a 12-yard gain to the Utah State six-yard line.
Moss’ next pass was incomplete out of the back of the end zone.
With 10 seconds left, Moss passed to MaKai Lemon, who cut back to shake a defender and ran in for a six-yard touchdwon.
Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
No. 13 USC 27, Utah State 0, four seconds left in the second quarter
USC defense earns its first interception
After the touchback, Utah State started on its 25.
Rahul Faison ran fro 20 yards to the Utah State 37.
Bryson Barnes dropped back to pass, the ball was tipped and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold intercepted the ball. Mascarenas-Arnold returned the ball five yards to the Utah State 40.
No. 13 USC 20, Utah State 0, 1:14 left in the second quarter
USC hits another field goal
USC started on its 39.
Woody Marks rushed for five yards. Miller Moss then passed to MaKai Lemon for nine yards.
Moss’ next pass deep to Lemon was broken up.
Moss passed to Marks for an eight-yard gain. The play was reviewed for targeting, but there was no penalty.
On third-and-two at the Utah State 39, the Aggies were called for delay of game, giving USC five yards and the first down.
Moss tossed a short pass to Zachariah Branch, who gained 13 yards on the play.
Moss passed to Jay Fair for two yards, moving the ball to the Utah State 19.
Bryan Jackson ran up the middle for 10 yards, carrying a pile of defenders a few yards before going down.
On first-and-goal at the Utah State nine-yard line, The Aggies called timeout.
Jackson carried the ball for a one-yard gain before the automated two-minute remaining in a half timeout.
On second-and-goal at the Utah State eight-yard line, Jackson carried the ball and was dropped for a two-yard loss. The Aggies then called timeout.
On third-and-10, Moss passed to Zachariah Branch for three yards.
Michael Lantz hit a 24-yard field.
No. 13 USC 20, Utah State 0, 1:41 left in the second quarter
USC forces Utah State to punt after turnover
Utah State started at its 10-yard line after the turnover.
Rahsul Faison rushed for no gain. Bryson Barnes then passed to Jalen Royals for nines yards. Barnes kep the ball and ran for three yards and a first down.
On first down on the Utah State 22, Barnes passed to Royals for six yards. USC pressured Barnes and he passed the ball high and behind Faison for a three-yard loss. On third-and-seven, Barnes passed to Faison for a four-yard loss.
Utah State punted and Zachariah Branch signaled a fair catch at the USC 39.
No. 13 USC 10, Utah State 0, 6:30 left in the second quarter
USC receiver and tight end ball security becomes a headache
USC ball security has become an issue, with two dropped touchdown passes and a turnover.
USC took over at Utah State’s 44-yard line.
Miller Moss passed to tight end Lake McRee for a 33-yard gain, but Utah State’s DJ Graham II punched the ball out at the 11-yard line and Clyde Washington recovered the ball at the Aggies’ 10.
No. 13 USC 10, Utah State 0, 10:51 left in the second quarter
USC defense stuffs Utah State on fourth down
After the touchback, Utah State started on its 25-yard line.
Bryson Barnes passed to Jalen Royals for seven yards and then to Broc Lane for six yards.
USC’s defense pressured Barnes, who tossed his next pass out of bounds while avoidning a sack. His next pass was incomplete. On third-and-10, Barnes passed to Herschel Turner for six yards.
On fourth-and-four at the Utah State 44, Barnes’ pass was broken up by Anthony Lucas and the Aggies turned the ball over on downs.
No. 13 USC 10, Utah State 0, 11:01 left in the second quarter
Woody Marks closes drive with a touchdown run
USC opened the second quarter facing first down at the Utah State 33.
Moss passed to Kyron Hudson and he rumbled for 16 yards to the Utah State 17.
Woody Marks ran for four yards. Moss then passed to Makai Lemon for an eight-yard gain. Moss’ pass to Duce Robinson was just past his reach and fell out of the back of the end zone.
Utah State was called for delay of game, moving te ball to the Aggies’ two-yard line.
On second-and-goal Moss passed to Zachariah Branch and the ball hit his hands, but he dropped it. It’s the second time a USC receiver has dropped a sure touchdown pass.
Marks then punched the ball in for a two-yard touchdown. Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
No. 13 USC 17, Utah State 0, 13:06 left in the second quarter
USC ends first quarter driving after pick was negated
USC started on its 23.
Miller Moss passed to Zachariah Branch for a six-yards gain. He then found Lake McRee for a 24-yard gain.
Moss tried to go deep to MaKai Lemon in double coverage and it was broken up.
On second-and-10 at the Utah State 47, Woody Marks ran for four yards. A flag dropped as Moss looked to pass down field. His throw was intercepted by Ike Larsen and returned 43 yards to the USC 37, but the Aggies were offsides on the play and the turnover was erased.
On third-and-one at the Utah State 38, Marks ran for five yards to end the first quarter.
No. 13 USC 10, Utah State 0, end of the first quarter
USC defense forces Utah State to go three-and-out
After the touchback, Utah State started on its 25-yard line.
Jalen Royals ran for three yards and Rahsul Faison ran for four yards to move the ball to the Aggies’ 32. Bryson Barnes’ next pass was broken up by Kamari Ramsey and fell incomplete.
Utah State punted. Zachariah Branch signed for a fair catch at the USC 23.
No. 13 USC 10, Utah State 0, 2:42 left in the first quarter
Quinten Joyner rumbles for a touchdown
USC started on its 12-yard line.
Woody Marks rushed for four yards and then for another nine yards. Miller Moss then passed to Lake McRee across the middle for 19 yards.
Marks carried the ball again, this time for 11 yards.
On first down at the USC 46, Moss’ pass to McRee was incomplete. Moss then passed ot Kyle Ford for a 13-yard gain.
Quinten Joyner ran for 32 yards along the right sideline and then carried the ball again up the middle of the field for a nine-yard touchdown. Michael Lantz hit the extra point.
No. 13 USC 10, Utah State 0, 4:22 left in the first quarter
USC forces Utah State to punt
After the touchback, Utah State started on its 25.
Former Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes is leading the Utah State offense. He passed to Jalen Royals for a 12-yard gain on his opening snap. Barnes then passed to Royals for a two-yard gain and there was a penalty on the play. The Aggies were called for an illegal block and were moved back 15 yards.
On first-and-25 at the Utah State 22, Barnes passed to Royals for a 13-yard gain. On second-and-12, Rahsul Fairson rushed for 17 yards. Fairson ran the ball again, this time for a one yard gain. Barnes’ next pass was incomplete.
On third-and-nine at the Trojans’ 47, USC ‘s defense closed quickly on Barnes and he rushed to get the ball to Faison for a one-yard gain.
Utah State punted and Zachariah Branch took a fair catch at the USC 12.
No. 13 USC 3, Utah State 0, 7:27 left in the first quarter
USC runs over the Utah State defense on opening drive
The USC run game is firing on all cylinders.
The Trojans started their first drive on their 17-yard line.
Wood Marks rushed for eight yards and then gained another eight yards.
Marks was called for false start and it set up first down at the USC 28.
Marks ran the ball again, brushing off tackles while gaining 33 yards and offsetting his penalty. Miller Moss then completed his first pass, hitting Ja’Kobi Lane for a 12-yard gain that moved moved the ball to the Utah State 27.
Quinten Joyner took a handoff and ran up the middle for an 18-yard gain, bouncing off a few Aggies. He then ran for three more yards.
On second-and-goal at the Utah State, Moss’ pass to Lane said high and out of the back of the end zone. On third-and-goal, Moss passed to Lane in the end zone and it hit his hands, but Lane dropped it.
On fourth-and-goal at the six, USC coach Lincoln Riley opted for a field-goal attempt.
Michael Lantz hit the 23-yard field goal to give USC an early lead.
No. 13 USC 3, Utah State 0, 11:13 left in the first quarter
And we’re off ...
Utah State won the opening coin toss and deferred.
Zachariah Branch returned the kickoff 17 yards to the USC 17-yard line.
No. 13 USC 0, Utah State 0, 14:56 left in the first quarter
Eric Gentry expected to play bigger role for USC
Ryan Kartje, The Times’ USC beat reporter, notes Eric Gentry is in line for a bigger role with Mason Cobb out due to injury. Gentry is coming off a strong performance against LSU in the season opener.
Utah State’s quarterback will be a familiar face for USC
‘He’s a baller.’ Revamped USC defense showcases versatile linebacker Eric Gentry
Ever since spring, when the foundation of USC’s new defense first was built, Eric Gentry hadn’t made much effort to hide how happy he was with the overhaul. He was thrilled with the new scheme, which seemed to fit his unusual skillset as a 6-foot-6 linebacker, and thrilled with the new coaches, who actually seemed to understand him.
It didn’t take long during Sunday’s 27-20 win over Louisiana State to see exactly why the gangly senior linebacker has been in such a good mood.
Few defenders had a bigger impact on a play-by-play basis in USC’s season-opener than Gentry, who played just 29 of 64 snaps on defense, but still wrangled seven tackles, including one in the fourth quarter that saw him sprint off the edge on third-and-one and stop a critical LSU drive dead in its tracks.
D’Anton Lynn unlocking USC’s defensive potential where others failed
LAS VEGAS — D’Anton Lynn walked along the perimeter of Allegiant Stadium hours before his anticipated USC debut, headphones on, shutting out the noise around him for one lap, then another … then another. In a loud stadium, on a crowded sideline, Lynn walked as if totally alone, talking to no one, entranced in a silent, steely focus.
The Trojans’ new defensive coordinator had earned a few moments of calm before the chaos of a new college football season, his most critical yet as a coach. He’d carried on the last nine months amid constant noise and persistent questions about how quickly he’d turn around a dismal defense after doing the same in a single year at UCLA. All along he’d kept an even keel, making no promises other than to assure everyone that his team would come prepared Sunday.
“He’s actually a lot more relaxed” of a coach, safety Akili Arnold said. “Because he knows we’re going to play good ball. He trusts in us.”
USC receiver Kyron Hudson spent years preparing to make college football’s best catch
As USC receiver Kyron Hudson lifted into the air in Las Vegas on Sunday, his right arm reaching for a reception that seemingly would defy the laws of gravity, Bruce Rollinson leaped up from the couch in awe.
The retired Mater Dei coach knew better than most what led to that moment. He’d watched Hudson work and work and work during their time together at Mater Dei, arriving early, leaving late, spending hours grinding film or drilling the same details over and over again until it was muscle memory. Never once did he drag or pout or complain.
“Just continue to trust the process,” he said. The refrain has become a mantra for Hudson, one that’s finally starting to yield results as a redshirt junior.
“Once you believe, once you trust that, anything is possible,” Hudson said.
Want to attend a Big Ten football game? Here’s a guide to all 18 stadiums
Hey there, fans of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington football.
Welcome to the Big Ten Conference.
Sure, conference road games may be a bit farther away (much more than 2,000 miles in many cases) than they were in the Pac-12 days.
But just think of all the fun, exciting and often historic venues — each with its own quirks and unique traditions — you’ll have the opportunity to visit.
Why USC sold Coliseum field space to DirecTV: It’s ‘an adapt-or-die scenario’
When USC fans get their first, long-awaited glimpse inside the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night, they’ll be greeted by an unfamiliar sight at the back of both of the century-old stadium’s end zones.
An on-field sponsor ad, painted in black over the field’s white apron, urging them to “STREAM TROJAN FOOTBALL” on DirecTV.
That message might not have landed so well last weekend, after Disney pulled access to DirecTV amid a contract dispute, leaving more than 10 million in Southern California unable to watch USC’s season-opening win over Louisiana State on ESPN. But by Saturday, DirecTV will be front and center for all to see in the Coliseum end zone — assuming, of course, you have the Big Ten Network.
How to watch USC vs. Utah State and betting odds
USC on the way to the playoffs? UCLA in trouble already? Let’s overreact to one game of the college football season.
USC will play its first game at the Coliseum this season when it takes on Utah State at 8 p.m. PDT. The game will air on the Big Ten Network and on 710 AM in the Los Angeles Area.
Here’s a look at the betting odds heading into the game:
USC finally has a defense under Lincoln Riley. Let the playoff dreaming begin
LAS VEGAS — Who were these players, and what did they do with USC’s defense?
They were physical.
They made open-field tackles.
They kept their team in the game when the offense was stalled.
Finally, in Lincoln Riley’s third year as coach, the Trojans have a defense. Finally, under first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, they have a defense that can strike fear into their opponents.
New starting quarterback Miller Moss passed for 378 yards and transfer running back Woody Marks scored a pair of touchdowns, but the most important revelations in the Trojans’ season-opening 27-20 victory over No. 13 Louisiana State were on the other side of the football.