Defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou #47 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammates after recovering a Nevada Wolf Pack fumble and running it back for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Linebacker Eric Gentry #18 along with linebacker Mason Cobb #13 of the USC Trojans AGAINST THE against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Offensive lineman Gino Quinones #66 of the USC Trojans is helped off the field after a injury against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles for a first down against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles for a first down against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans passes against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans walks through the tunnel prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a 54 yard first down against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Michael Jackson III #9 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a 54 yard first down against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans catches pass and runs for a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Safety Jaylin Smith #19 of the USC Trojans reacts after tackling defensive back Tooni Ikahihifo Jr. #26 of the Nevada Wolf Pack for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles for a first down against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive Line coach Shaun Nua of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Traveler with the regal Trojan warrior enters the Coliseum prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans waits to enter the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive end Sam Greene #44 of the USC Trojans waits to enter the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Elijah Hughes #56 of the USC Trojans tackles running back Cross Patton #0 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou #47 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammates after recovering a Nevada Wolf Pack fumble and running it back for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans reacts against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Quinten Joyner #21 of the USC Trojans celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Jamaal Bell #3 of the Nevada Wolf Pack catches pass over safety Anthony Beavers Jr. #15 of the USC Trojans and runs for touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Quinten Joyner #21 of the USC Trojans catches pass and runs for touchdown past defensive back KK Meier #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans prepares to pass against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans fans in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Quinten Joyner #21 of the USC Trojans celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans looks on against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive end Braylan Shelby #34 of the USC Trojans strips the ball from quarterback Brendon Lewis #2 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans reacts after defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou (not pictured) of the USC Trojans recovered a Nevada Wolf Pack fumble for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou #47 of the USC Trojans recovers a Nevada Wolf Pack fumble and runs it back for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch #1 of the USC Trojans can’t catch pass as defensive back Ezekiel Robbins #13 of the Nevada Wolf Pack defends in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans catch a pass for first down as defensive back Jaden Dedman #6 of the Nevada Wolf Pack makes the tackle in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans catches pass for a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammate tight end Lake McRee #87 of the USC Trojans after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Michael Jackson III #9 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Linebacker Chris Thompson Jr. #30 of the USC Trojans reacts after tackling wide receiver Jamaal Bell (not pictured) of the Nevada Wolf Pack after a kick off return in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive end Jamil Muhammad #10 of the USC Trojans reacts after sacking quarterback Brendon Lewis (not pictured) of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch #1 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammate wide receiver Dorian Singer #15 of the USC Trojans after a touchdown catch against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tight end Lake McRee #87 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for first down against quarterback Jax Leatherwood #13 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Safety Jaylin Smith #19 of the USC Trojans reacts after tackling defensive back Tooni Ikahihifo Jr. #26 of the Nevada Wolf Pack for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Kyron Hudson #10 of the USC Trojans catches pass for first down against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans reacts after a touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans celebrates after catching a pass and running for touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a 54 yard first down past linebacker Jackson LaDuke #42 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans celebrates with teammate wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans after catching a pass and running for touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Kyron Hudson #10 of the USC Trojans catches pass for first down against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Safety Calen Bullock #7 of the USC Trojans tackles wide receiver Jamaal Bell #3 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a 54 yard first down against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Linebacker Tackett Curtis #25 of the USC Trojans is ejected for targeting after a tackle on wide receiver Dalevon Campbell #5 of the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans reacts after a touchdown catch against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Michael Jackson III #9 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Safety Jaylin Smith #19 of the USC Trojans tackles running back Ashton Hayes #26 of the Nevada Wolf Pack for loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Michael Jackson III #9 of the USC Trojans catches a pass for a touchdown against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans sits on the bench in the second half of a NCAA football game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans waits to enter the field prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans walks on the field in the first half of a NCAA football game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Caleb Williams and friends carved up Nevada on Saturday like a hungry man attacking a pot roast. Six passing touchdowns! Some 668 total yards! And 66 points!
All game, every game, it’s all exclamation points for the Trojans’ Heisman Trophy winner, who completed 18 of 24 attempts for 319 yards and five of those TDs before giving way to backup Miller Moss during the second drive of the second half.
But the Trojans’ defense? That’s been a Traveler-sized question mark: Can USC’s defense hold up its end of the bargain?
We don’t know!
Because as much as Williams’ presence puts USC in the national title conversation, his team isn’t a serious contender without a serious defense. And our first look at what was supposed to be an upgraded unit last week gave us same ol’ vibes more than new-and-improved.
Saturday was different. Sixth-ranked USC dominated Nevada on both sides of the ball (!) in a 66-14 blowout victory that bumped the Trojans to 2-0 entering the first game of their final season of Pac-12 play. They will meet Stanford – perhaps for the last time “in a long time,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said – next Saturday at the Coliseum.
Facing Nevada for the first time since 1929, USC gave up 360 total yards – and 150 of those came on two passing plays. Otherwise, the Trojans held Nevada to just two touchdowns, bookends in a blowout, and forced them to go three-and-out six times.
It was a telling effort even against an overmatched opponent like the Wolf Pack, which finished last season with the 122nd-ranked offense in the nation, having averaged just 304.7 yards per game.
Although the Wolf Pack stunned their hosts by landing a four-play touchdown punch on their first drive to tie the score temporarily, the 7-7 mirror yielded no further smoke. After that, USC cracked down and didn’t allow Nevada back on the board again until AJ Bianco’s 77-yard touchdown pass to Jamaal Bell with 11:18 left in the fourth quarter. By then, USC led 52-14.
“Came and punched us in the mouth,” junior safety Jaylin Smith said. “I mean, teams are going to do that. For us, going through the season, you gotta learn to respond.”
And these Trojans defenders responded by stumping and stuffing and stymying their opponent like an elite team should.
Shane Lee seemed to swallow Nevada players whole, finishing with a game-high 10 tackles – five of them solo and one for a 13-yard loss. Smith finished with six tackles and Domani Jackson had five, as did Calen Bullock – who came soaring to break up a pass attempt along the sideline, wisely batting it away instead of pulling it in and giving the Trojans’ offense 25 yards better field position.
The exclamation point: Stanley Ta’ufo’ou’s 23-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter!
Of course, this all came against an overmatched opponent playing its first game. And the Trojans had the benefit of having played in Week 0 – and they have continuity on the sideline, with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, embattled though he might be, calling the shots.
But USC didn’t have three of its best linebackers. Mason Cobb and Eric Gentry were in warmups, out with undisclosed injuries that Riley downplayed postgame. And freshman Tackett Curtis was ejected for targeting in the second quarter.
Add to that Christian Rolland-Wallace’s first-half suspension, handed down this week by the Pac-12 Conference for his apparent role – which Riley disputed Saturday – in an incident between his former Arizona Wildcats team and Arizona State in last season’s Territorial Cup.
And still, USC effectively suffocated the Wildcats’ attack, snuffed out hope early and gave Grinch’s group something positive to build on.
“Guys stepped up. Communicated. The run defense was really stout all night,” said Riley, with a nod to Nevada’s modest 98 yards on the ground. “Really only gave up two fade balls – you don’t discount those, like those can’t happen and have to get better – but other than that, we played pretty clean.”
So they cleared this bar, but there are taller tests to come.
Fortunately for thing for the Trojans, their best defense might still be their stellar offense, with Williams punctuating six of the nine drives he led with touchdowns, applying pressure evenly and for the entirety of the game, forcing opposing offenses to score and score often to keep up.
If Saturday was an indication, that might really be tougher to do this year.
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