USC players excited Miller Moss will finally get a start at QB: ‘Miller’s a baller’
Miller Moss passes during a blowout win over Stanford at the Coliseum on Sept. 9. Moss will start for USC against Louisville in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27. (Ashley Landis / AP)
Thuc Nhi Nguyen (LA Times) — Ja’Kobi Lane knows what time it is.
“Miller time!” the freshman receiver shouted on his way off USC’s Howard Jones Field on Friday.
Quarterback Miller Moss, meeting with reporters for the first time during USC’s bowl preparations, just chuckled.
After three years of waiting, Moss is getting his time in the spotlight. The redshirt sophomore is slated for his first career start at USC as the Trojans finish their season without star quarterback Caleb Williams in the Holiday Bowl against No. 15 Louisville on Dec. 27 in San Diego’s Petco Park. With his long-awaited starting opportunity finally approaching, Moss is showing the same even-keeled nature that won teammates over during his USC career spent mostly in the shadows.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this,” Moss said Friday. “Whatever comes after that, I’ll work my whole life for that. So I’m just excited. I’m excited to step into this role and very confident in our team.”
Moss’ opportunity could serve as his early audition to reprise the starting role at USC next year when the Trojans try to replace the Heisman Trophy winner. The competition will be tight. Moss has the advantage of experience in Lincoln Riley’s system but the former four-star prospect lacks the dual-threat ability Riley’s previous star quarterbacks displayed. Former five-star prospect Malachi Nelson will challenge for the starting role after battling injuries that slowed his freshman season. And a third competitor could emerge from the transfer portal as Riley said last week he will explore the available options.
The uncertainty doesn’t rattle Moss.
“Coach Riley has been very candid and open with me,” Moss said of the possibility of a transfer quarterback coming to USC. “I’ve been competing my whole life. So let’s go.”
The Bishop Alemany alumnus committed to USC, his childhood team, over offers from Alabama, Louisiana State and UCLA even though the Trojans already held a commitment from quarterback Jake Garcia in the same class. When USC offered 2020 Gatorade national Player of the Year Jaxson Dart and Garcia decommitted, Miller held firm.
Dart beat out Moss for the backup role in 2021 and stepped into the starting role amid an injury-plagued year from Kedon Slovis. But when Dart was injured against California, Moss earned his first significant snaps in college, throwing for 74 yards and a touchdown in USC’s 24-21 loss.
Two years later with Moss preparing for his first start, senior center Justin Dedich said the difference between the wide-eyed freshman backup and the third-year player at the center of the huddle now is “night and day.”
“Miller’s been growing a lot as a leader,” Dedich said. “He’s been phenomenal, everyone respects him on the team and it’s just someone I respect too.”
Moss’ leadership has only gotten stronger during USC’s bowl practices without Williams, running back Austin Jones said. But after watching Moss prepare diligently for every game for the past two seasons, nothing surprises the Stanford transfer about the quarterback’s steady approach to training even as the stage grows.
“Miller’s a baller,” Jones said.
“Miller’s a really good quarterback and you’re going to get an opportunity to see that,” the senior continued. “There’s nothing that’s going to faze him in the game.”
While Moss said he always approached film sessions and meetings as if he were going to start, the main difference between preparation now is that he can offer more input about what’s included in the game plan, he said. That role used to belong to Williams.
Moss has thrown for 309 yards and one touchdown this season, completing 23 of 32 passes. He has two carries, both for touchdowns, for 19 total yards in three blowout wins over San José State, Nevada and Stanford.
But as the Trojans struggled for much of the season, limping to a 7-5 record while losing five of their last six games, Moss shrunk back onto the sidelines. Riley said he had hoped for more opportunities to get Moss into the games. But Moss’ work on the practice field has teammates confident in the quarterback’s ability to end the disappointing year on a high note.
“Everybody who’s been here that I care about is within these walls, and they see it every day,” Moss said. “I’m just going to go out there and try to lead my team the best way I can and get a win.”
latimes.com
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https://heavy.com/sports/college-football/usc-football-news-rumors-transfer-portal/. Not if this is LR’s direction. I have said this before and I will say it again!! What are you showing defensive recruits when your transfer portal priority is a QB. Any school in the country would pay to have a QB factory like SC but instead LR wants to keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results. Which is I’m gonna use most of my NIL proceeds on QB when I already have the best recruits at QB in the country. Instead of trusting your recruits and putting your NIL proceeds towards the main… Read more »
I guess who you are reading plays into it a lot. Wearesc has Miami 92% USC 8% for Howard. In the mean time give a welcome to the new DL and Edge commits for defense.
Great logic. Since our priority is defense, let’s not recruit any offensive players, even if they are potentially elite. QB position isn’t important, just throw anyone in there, and we will be fine.
Are you a Troll?
I forgot your logic is so much better right! How many schools in this country do you think would die to have the QB prospects we have in our own back yard?!?! One of the main reasons we can’t attract defensive recruits is because recruits are not morons they do they homework too! They look at the tendencies of coaches in this case LR and putting his priority on a QB when you already have the best recruits in the nation at that position. IE a 5 star recruit in Nelson and Moss who are both completely capable of starting… Read more »
Anyone else see where a judge put a temporary restraining order on the ncaa granting unlimited transfers for players. This wild wild west college football just got a little wilder.
If left to the ncaa, amateur collegiate sports are about over.
USC OL target Kalolo Ta’aga sets Dec 17 commitment announcement Marshall Levenson (WeAreSC) — USC may have some more good news on the horizon as Palo Alto (Cal.) Archbishop Riordan OT Kalolo Ta’aga (6-7, 265) announced he will be making his commitment on Dec. 17 (6 PM PT). USC, ARIZ, CAL and UTAH are his finalists and all have received official visits. Ta’aga is fresh off his OV to USC and the Trojans publicly hold all the momentum now and are a heavy fave. Ta’aga is a former SJS commit who picked up serious Power Five interest in recent months. USC entered… Read more »
Saturday, Dec 16
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Ohio 10:00 am ESPN / ESPN Video
Celebration Bowl: Florida A&M vs. Howard 11:00 am ABC (cable) / espn3 Video
New Orleans Bowl: Jacksonville State vs. ULL 1:15 pm ESPN / ESPN Video
Cure Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Miami (Ohio) 2:30 pm ABC (cable) / espn3 Video
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. New Mexico State 4:45 pm ESPN / ESPN Video
LA Bowl: Boise State vs. UCLA 6:30 pm ABC (cable) / espn3 Video
Independence Bowl: Cal vs. Texas Tech 8:15 pm ESPN / ESPN Video
I remember watching the Geo. South. v Wisconsin game and how the broadcasters went on and on how great a coach The Cat is. For the Myrtle Beach Bowl, you could play a drinking game with your mimosas every time they compliment the Cat! I’m picking the Ruins and TT for tomorrow, better defenses.
True. They were absolutely drooling all over The Cat, who has since settled in with a 6-6 record (4 straight losses to end season), after going 6-7 in 2022.
Clay has quickly rounded into well-established disappointing career form. He came cheap ($700,000). I couldn’t believe how fast he was rehired. Powerful agent Jimmy Sexton has it wired.
The kickback king
Just for information, those game times are Central time.
After reading about who isn’t going to appear in bowl games this morning, I am wondering how many of the bowl games are going to be faux games? Because the transfer portal and bowl appearances overlap, are the sponsors getting what they paid for? Don’t get me wrong, I can see a top draft pick sitting out a game, which is essentially meaningless, but players jumping ship prior to a game seem to be rats rather than loyal teammates. For instance Ucla is losing a running back and Boise is losing a quarterback. If I were paying to see these… Read more »
Watching bowls has become an entirely different pastime for me lately. With so many of the better players not on the field, I will look at fewer games and expect fewer highlights, more sloppy play, and if lucky, an early good look at some future stars. As CFB has so radically evolved into a more pro-like enterprise, I now see many bowl games as insight into who’s been riding the bench and what the younger guys really look like. Some bowls seem more like premature spring practice efforts, only with full-on tackling. It’s more about development, transition planning, and culture-building… Read more »
USC Brings In More Help for the D-Trenches Kristian Dyer (Yahoo Sports) — Jide Abasiri (6-5, 290) committed to USC on Wednesday morning. The Savage Lake Prior, MN, defensive lineman gives the Trojans some legit size in the trenches. That Abasiri comes from Big Ten country ahead of the move by USC to the Big Ten next year seems fitting. Abasari is a 2024 four-star recruit per On3 and a three-star per 247Sports. He also held offers from MINN (originally committed on March 25), KU, KSU, IA ST, MO and UW, among others. USC first offered Abasiri very late, just last month… Read more »
USC flipped four-star defensive lineman Jide Abasiri from Minnesota. He committed to USC at his official visit.
Meanwhile, Andrew Milek enters the portal.
Holiday Bowl (#4) here we come
LOUISVILLE
USC
Ugly loss coming
Haven’t we had enough of those lately?
I’m looking forward to seeing what Moss can do. I’ve always believed a solid defense and balanced offense is a good formula for winning games. I’m looking forward to seeing what the new DC can come up with in the 2-3 weeks of practice before the Holiday Bowl. It isn’t much time, but I think he can make an impact.
I am looking forward to seeing whether Riley adjusts his play calling to the strengths of Miller Moss’ skills as a quarterback.
Very telling. After staying with long passes with a weak OL and weak defense…..we’ll see.
I’m with you again IllinoisUSC. Will the outcome of the Holiday bowl be about how well Moss directs the offense or whether the trojan defense can keep the Louisville scoring down? My concern is if they get ahead by 2-3 scores, will our players give up? I can’t believe I’m even thinking this. But we’ve seen this the last few games. I want recruits to see a team still trying to win, to fight on!
UCLA football is losing staff. Not only has D’Anton Lynn abandoned Westwood for the USC DC spot. Chip Kelly doesn’t “understand the noise” Thuc Nhi Nguyen (LA Times) — Chip Kelly (34-34 with the Bruins) will coach QBs after Ryan Gunderson bolted to ORE ST for the offensive coordinator position. Former NAVY head coach Ken Niumatalolo, who was working as UCLA’s director of leadership, will take over as TEs coach after Jeff Faris became the HC at AUSTIN PEAY. Bruin AA DE and Lombardi Award winner Laiatu Latu will skip L.A. Bowl. The Bruins are trying to insulate themselves against… Read more »
Bye Bye USC Portal Departures So Far — Chris Trevino (USCFootball.com) 1 DL Jamar Sekona — 2020, 3-star; No. 498 nationally, No. 47 DT 2 RB Raleek Brown — 2022, 4-star; No. 42 nationally, No. 3 RB 3 S Xamarion Gordon* — no snaps in 2023; 2021, 4-star; No. 303 nationally, No. 20 S 4 RB Darwin Barlow — 2019, 3-star; No. 423 nationally, No. 30 RB 5 TE Jude Wolfe — 2019, 4-star; No. 218 nationally, No. 7 TE 6 LB Chris Thompson Jr. — 2020, 4-star; No. 199 nationally, No. 7 S 7 DL Dejon Benton — 2019,… Read more »
The USC opportunity was just too great for Matt Entz to turn down Erik McKinney (WeAreSC) — “Been here for 10 years,” said Mike Entz, USC’s new asst head coach for defense and linebacker coach. “This place has been unbelievable to Team Entz. The number of friends and colleagues that I have — really good friends that I have — here in Fargo, within our administration, within our coaching staff, in the community, is second to none. So, this will always be a home away from home. “Just an opportunity for me to continue to grow and develop. I wouldn’t… Read more »
I was out of the country when Lynn was hired. Not that it matters, but Lynn would have been my #2 choice for DC (White from Neb would have been my first choice). Reason, SC needs a “turn around specialist”, not a coach who has succeeded in a solid program (like Leonard). The two best were Lynn and White. My guess is we tried Leonard but it was not going to work (Iike going on a date). White was my first choice because he has B1G experience, having done in the B1G. But that did not work out as NEB… Read more »
I got lucky!
Lynn was my highly uninformed #1 choice all along for numerous reasons. Cha Ching!
Great get hope we get 3/4 great years out of him. But Ertz seems like a solid safety net.
13 years ago I wrote this on Facebook it seems relevant today too.
Cam newton getting the Heisman trophy proves it’s not how you cheat, it’s who you cheat for. It is a sham award by a sham outfit. They took Reggie Bush’s award away because his parents took help in housing. Reggie said that was their business, the NCAA killed USC. Newton’s dad takes money to guide his school choice, the NCAA said, “Cam didn’t know, no foul.”
In light of today’s pay for play multi million dollars deals, let by gones be by gones. Give Reggie his trophy back, every school that lost wins and titles get those back and move on. South Africa had its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, time for the NCAA and Heisman to do the same.
Rialto, any rational person knows SC was railroaded by a “kangaroo court.” I would think that the Heisman will now back off and most rational people ignore the bogus forfeitures. I think all major services are now counting Reggie’s Heisman for SC.
USC fans, national commentators bury Andy Enfield after inexcusable blown lead and loss Matt Wadleigh (Trojans Wire) — There is simply no other way to say it: Andy Enfield is doing an absolutely terrible job as the head coach of USC basketball this season. It was one thing when USC lost to UC Irvine without Bronny James, Boogie Ellis, and Kobe Johnson. It was still understandable that USC lost to Oklahoma and Gonzaga without Bronny and without a fully restored Vince Iwuchukwu, who has been playing catch-up in recent months after having a medical procedure on his back in the… Read more »
The AP All-America team (no Trojans; 13 Pac-12) was selected by a panel of 18 college Top 25 poll voters FIRST TEAM (offense) Quarterback — Jayden Daniels, fifth-year, LSU. Running backs — Ollie Gordon II, second-year, Oklahoma State; Cody Schrader, sixth-year, Missouri. Tackles — Joe Alt, third-year, Notre Dame; Olu Fashanu, fourth-year, Penn State. Guards — Cooper Beebe, fifth-year, Kansas State; Zak Zinter, fourth-year, Michigan. Center — Jackson Powers-Johnson, third-year, Oregon. Tight end — Brock Bowers, third-year, Georgia. Wide receivers — Malik Nabers, third-year, LSU; Marvin Harrison Jr., third-year, Ohio State; Rome Odunze, fourth-year, Washington. All-purpose player — Travis Hunter,… Read more »
Nate Clifton becomes a Trojan. 6’5″ 280 DL
A 4* guy. Beat out Auburn and Washington to get him, good sign!
Washington is going all portal 100%
Cold shooting, out-of-synch USC men’s hoops loses to LBS at Galen in OT, 84-79.
USC was outscored 44-29 in 2nd half after leading by as many as 17 in the 1st half.
Bronny James (in front of dad Lebron) scored his first points as a Trojan, including a clutch free throw with 21 seconds left in regulation.
It’s LBS’s first win at USC since 1987.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1733960200883753063
20-38 from the FT line … good god
Poor free throws are plain and simple a lack of practice. My high school kids shoot just under 70% as a team. All my guards shoot at or above 80. Nothing changes, nobody’s guarding you, it’s just rhythm and repetition. Plus every coach ever runs free throw drills once kids have tired legs. No excuses for shooting at that level other than it’s not a point of emphasis.
Already at 4 losses this USC team with loads of hype has a lot of work to do. Terrible shooting at the line, 2 pt and 3s. Defensive boards terrible as well. Lets hope having Lebron courtside was too much of a distraction. However, good teams thrive on that!
Losing to UC Irvine and now Long Beach State at home is embarrassing. Let’s hope Enfield kicks some *ss after this latest loss.
LOS ANGELES—Matt Entz, a two-time FCS national championship-winning head coach, has been named USC’s assistant head coach for defense/linebackers coach, head coach Lincoln Riley announced today (Dec. 10). “Having a championship-caliber staff is instrumental to the success of our team,” said Riley. “By welcoming Matt Entz, a championship-winning head coach and outstanding defensive mind, we are bolstering our defensive staff. He is going to be an excellent addition to the USC football program.” Entz posted a 60-10 overall record in his 5 years (2019-23) as the head coach at North Dakota State for an impressive .857 winning percentage. He led… Read more »
I suppose that means Odom is now history. So we have at least one known lame duck coaching the Holiday Bowl squad. My guess is Entz will be consulted for additional staff members on D.
More on the Entz hire. First, this guy is the real deal. He teaches tough, physical football, based on a culture of physical and mental toughness. Second, this guy is NOT a buddy system hire. He is probably one of the best coaches in the game. We will probably not have him for long. Maybe three years at most. Third, he did not come here to fail. He came here to get a quality P5 HCing job. That means he got plenty of assurances about the changes being made in the way SC practices. This hire sends the signal to… Read more »
Entz will continue coaching the Bison through the FCS playoffs. NDSU (11-3) is scheduled to play at Montana in the NCAA FCS semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 16.
I would imagine if the Bisons beat Montana he’ll get to meet South Dakota State for the revenge factor, NoDak St. lost to them last year.
Entz was getting $380K at NDSU. He should at least double his salary at USC. Lets hope some recruits start changing their minds.🙄
My hope is Donte joining the, as you put it, Lame Ducks.
And the next DC when Lynn (we hope) is offered big HC gigs
Entz is a hard charger he’ll fit just fine in the B1G, he follows Chris Klieman who turned Kansas State around, both solid football minds.
Good Call by Riley and D’Anton.
Very good sign. Quality guy who knows how to get much from little. Knows how to coach up the fundamentals with lower talented players.
Okay, where did that picture come from? Did USC photoshop it?
Here it is.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgobison.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2F1%2F3%2Fentz-named-2018-footballscoop-fcs-coordinator-of-the-year.aspx&psig=AOvVaw2LFse2XVOskiSTM5-Mkn8m&ust=1702357245022000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCIDj34_NhoMDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ
USC did the exact same thing with D’Anton Lynn, just graphically switched his Bruin hat/shirt with a Trojan hat/shirt.
USC has a new Linebackers coach, Matt Entz, HC from North Dakota State. Great hire!!
I’m looking forward to the game. I hope the team comes to play to win and not mail it in. An offense not dependent on Caleb to do some magic may be more effective but we shall see.
I would love to see a little ball control offense giving the defense a breather or three. Not to take the ball out of Miller’s throwing arm, but the run game needs to develop dependability in LR’s offensive mindset when calling plays. Controlling the ball with passes doesn’t move the clock. Depth on defense will still be a big issue with this team next season. Keeping it on the field will only aggravate this team weakness. It’s time LR matures in forming a “total” gameplan considering the defensive needs & abilities along with the offenses. The physical nature of the… Read more »
Jamaica, You are assuming this team is capable of running a ball control O. First, I doubt it can. Second, even if were capable, it is not part of the O scheme that has been practiced for an entire year. I doubt one can make that drastic a change in two or three weeks. My guess is we will see a lot of screens, draws, and three step drops (meaning quick passes).
Talking about next season RJJ
ehhh … mail in job bad habit after UCLA no effort
This is like giving the keys to dad’s truck to a kid so he can drive the group to the lake on a dirt road. “Have fun drive carefully, but remember the spare tire (defense) is flat so take your time. Miller looked good in the time he had on the field. I am sure he can move the ball with a healthy group in front of him. I might pick USC to win their bowl game.
Don’t … L’ville will be playing for keeps, beating SC even when they are shitty like now is a program maker for a L’ville. Brohm is no joke as a coach. This has a shitty Iowa or Fresno type toilet bowl embarrassment.
I have always thought MM is a very good QB, being very cerebral as well as physical. He can run if he needs to. His reads are fast, and he will throw to the first open man he sees, not sit and shop around like Caleb did. That in itself will give the offense a whole new look. I hope we get some PT for Nelson also, that is the kid that really needs it. I am not even going to suggest what they should run as I believe Riley knows his talent level and has the plays to execute… Read more »
“Sit and shop around.” Have loved watching CW these past 2 years, but that is the best description of his style that I have heard.
Agree VT, I’m not sure CW will do well in the NFL unless he gets a good coach that he will listen too. He tries too hard to make the big play rather than just work the ball down field. I hope LR will focus on a balanced effective offense rather than trying to make one guy look like a super star.
When you consider Caleb will go pro and spend 8-10 hours a day refining what he does for an exceptional amount of money, he should get that “shop around” thing taken care of. If not his career may be shorter than he would like it to be.
Sam Darnold never got over his wild and crazy play. Deep habits are hard to break. Hopefully for CW he gets good coaching for NFL style of play.
If you look at what Sam went through in college and in the pros his faults are understandable.
Maybe that’s what his Mama told him to do. 😉
One thing I noticed both rivalry weekend and championship weekend was how the winning teams’ offenses tended to execute in a very crisp, sharp and fairly quick manner (though not necessarily “up tempo”).
I’d like to see more of that style of play next year.
Well……if Miller and his offensive genius coach change the plan to match up with the OL weakness……draws, screens, over the middle, 2 back sets, getting rid of any back that can’t block, Kiffin bubbles (did I say that), wheel routes, two TE sets, etc etc….he’ll do just fine. After a while a heave down field might even work.
Try doing what Caleb did and plan your funeral.
I’d love to see a few more misdirection plays.
I really hope the best for him and that our very offensive line does not get him killed.