Twitter reaction to 2023 USC football spring game
The USC football spring game is over. The best news is the news every college football program wants to receive in a spring game: No one suffered a significant injury. That is always the number one thing coaches and players want from a spring game. The Trojans checked that particular box.
It is true that with USC’s offense being so good and USC’s defense being so unproven, one should not overreact to any individual play, as though one play could ever determine just how good (or unprepared) one side of the ball truly is heading into the summer and then August camp.
However, it is hard to ignore the reality that USC’s defense has a very long way to go. If you were hoping to see a defense which looks ready for the coming season (we tried to tell you otherwise), you should dial back your expectations.
The obvious good news: The first-team offense looks fully ready for the regular season. It will be very hard to stop this unit.
Here’s a sampling of Twitter reactions and the attached central highlights from the game. We’ll have much more on this game and its individual storylines over the next few days here at Trojans Wire:
THEME WARNING: USC OFFENSE -- NOT THE DEFENSE -- STOPPED THE OFFENSE
It took getting into the red zone and two Mason Murphy false starts, but the first-team USC defense has stopped the third-team offense
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) April 15, 2023
THEME WARNING, PART TWO
That FG drive wasn't super encouraging for USC's defense despite the result. Offense shot itself in the foot. And that was 3s vs. 1s and the offense still got moving.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) April 15, 2023
FAIR POINT
I honestly don't know how to evaluate USC's defense when they're going against THAT offense.
We'll know a bit more when it's not Caleb Williams running the show on some of these drives.
— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) April 15, 2023
THE TACKLING WAS HARD TO IGNORE
South Carolina transfer running back MarShawn Lloyd with a great catch and run up the right sideline. He put on a spin move and avoided several tackles on the 34-yard gain.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) April 15, 2023
THIS IS HOW THE DEFENSE GOT STOPS
The first touch for five-star freshman Zach Branch was a dropped pass.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) April 15, 2023
CEYAIR STRUGGLES
Our first flag. Malachi Nelson tried to back shoulder a throw to Kyron Hudson but Ceyair Wright called for PI.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) April 15, 2023
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHT
Freshman edge rusher Sam Greene gets a sack on his first series. #USC second team offense goes three and out.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) April 15, 2023
IMPROVEMENT
3. Quinten Joyner is off to a great start. Easy to see why the staff has warmed to him.
4. Miller Moss is much more agile. That's a starter #USC is running out there at QB2.
— R.J. Abeytia (@RJ_Abeytia) April 15, 2023
HARSH TRUTHS
First "half" impressions:
1. Lincoln Riley serving up a severely dialed-down menu of plays today.2. Defense looks less than stellar
— R.J. Abeytia (@RJ_Abeytia) April 15, 2023
NOTEWORTHY
Jonah Monheim was in at center on that last drive. Still curious to see where he winds up this season. He’s played mostly RT during spring, but coaches have expressed in the past that his NFL future is likely on the interior.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) April 15, 2023
GETTING INVOLVED
As far as I can tell, Anthony Lucas, Jamil Muhammad and Sam Greene all have sacks today among USC edge rushers
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) April 15, 2023
STRONG BRANCH
Zach Branch (@zachariahb03) just said “GET OFF ME” to a 250lb linebacker and it looks like Caleb Williams approves… 🖐🏾💪🏾😮💨 #SpringGame #USCFootball #USC pic.twitter.com/ZLfeFfoMkI
— Speed Kills (@SpeedxKills) April 15, 2023
PLAYMAKER
Easy work for freshman safety Christian Pierce on that interception. Offense has been a bit more sloppy this spring game than last. Still good, but more turnovers more penalties.
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) April 15, 2023
NEW LOOK
A little addition to the field for the Coliseum's 100 year anniversary pic.twitter.com/qXNlTmEibk
— Adam Grosbard (@AdamGrosbard) April 15, 2023
LATE SCORE
Freshman RB A’Marion Peterson gets in for a late touchdown. Both of USC’s freshman RB’s have scored — and looked good — today.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) April 15, 2023
LYNCH LOOKED GOOD
Denis Lynch hits a field goal. That was the first offensive score this quarter. Defense still leads 39-20 with 7:36 left.#SpringGame
— Daily Trojan Sports (@DT_Sports) April 15, 2023
ONE MORE HEISMAN MOMENT
Caleb Williams is presented with USC’s copy of the Heisman Trophy during halftime.#SpringGame pic.twitter.com/e1eWf1KWng
— Daily Trojan Sports (@DT_Sports) April 15, 2023
THE UNAVOIDABLE CONFLICT
https://t.co/xBbNESg4Qo pic.twitter.com/1UK6r8uQOt
— 901 Club (@PartyAt901Bar) April 15, 2023
