Many different USC players got involved in the action vs Rice
The USC Trojans began the new era with Lincoln Riley against Rice on a Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. It went well, and the Trojans cruised to a 66-14 victory that included a trio of defensive touchdowns in a surprising turn of events.
There were a ton of new faces on the USC Trojans sideline, including coaches and players, and Caleb Williams looked every bit like a Heisman Trophy quarterback. Jordan Addison got into the end zone in his first game, and it was a special afternoon in L.A. despite the searing heat.
Here is a look at various Trojans after Week 1 of the college football season.
CALEB WILLIAMS
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans celebrates a touchdown with Caleb Williams #13, to take a 14-7 lead over the Rice Owls, during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
19 of 22 passing for 249 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT. Magnificent.
TRAVIS DYE
Southern California running back Travis Dye, right, runs a drill as head coach Lincoln Riley watches during an NCAA college football practice Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Only 20 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards, but a lot of blitz pickups.
JORDAN ADDISON
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) scores a touchdown as Rice Owls cornerback Sean Fresch (1) defends in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
54 receiving yards and two touchdowns. There will be many more tuddies for Mr. Addison.
MARIO WILLIAMS
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Max Williams (4) carries the ball against the Rice Owls at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
43 receiving yards, including a 25-yard catch, plus a 10-yard run.
RALEEK BROWN
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Raleek Brown #14 of the USC Trojans scores a touchdown, to take a 21-7 over the Rice Owls, during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
A 40-yard catch, 36 rushing yards, and one Heisman pose. That’s a full stat line.
BRENDEN RICE
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) attempts to catch a pass as Rice Owls cornerback Tre’shon Devones (2) defends in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With only one five-yard catch, Rice had a relatively quiet day. Getting him more involved will be valuable for this offense.
CALEN BULLOCK
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Calen Bullock #7 of the USC Trojans celebrates his interception for a touchdown and take a 28-7 lead over the Rice Owls, during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
One pick-six and a lot of hustle plays.
ANDREW VORHEES
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans listens to head coach Lincoln Riley during the second quarter against the Rice Owls at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
USC’s pass protection was great. The run blocking can use some improvement.
NICK FIGUEROA
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive lineman Nick Figueroa (99) pressures Rice Owls quarterback TJ McMahon (7) in the third quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
One tackle and one QB hurry. We need to see more disruptive plays than what we saw on Saturday.
LATRELL MCCUTCHIN
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Latrell McCutchin (21) during the game against the Rice Owls at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
I’m sure you all had McCutchin getting a sack in this game.
XAMARION GORDON
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Xamarion Gordon (28) intercepts a pass against the Rice Owls in the third quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Gordon was a rare USC Trojan who made an interception on Saturday but did not score a pick-six on it. A majority of USC’s four interceptions were taken to the house.
L SIMPSON
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back L Simpson (40) cools off on the bench in the second half against the Rice Owls at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
To be honest, we just thought this photo was really cool, pun intended.
AUSTIN JONES
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Austin Jones (6) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Rice Owls at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A 21-yard catch and a 28-yard run. Do that every week and we’ll all have a grand old time this year at USC.
SHANE LEE
Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) carries the ball as Rice Owls linebacker Chris Conti (11) pursues in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Lee was part of the pick-six parade, but he also made a team-leading eight tackles, two for loss.
ERIC GENTRY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Calen Bullock #7 of the USC Trojans runs by Eric Gentry #18 after his interception, to score a touchdown and take a 28-7 lead over the Rice Owls, during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Gentry watched Calen Bullock run back a pick-six, but that doesn’t mean he was a bystander on Saturday. Gentry collected seven tackles and disrupted throws with his long arms.
DE'JON BENTON
De’jon Benton #79 of the USC Trojans — (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Benton had five tackles against Rice.
MILLER MOSS
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Caleb Williams #13 and Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans during warm up before the game against the Rice Owls at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Moss played the fourth quarter and threw seven passes, completing six of them for 81 yards. Getting lots of work in blowouts this season will accelerate his development at USC. This is how program building occurs.
