Column: It’s a fact: The Trojans are back and might be the nation’s best team
Yeah, it’s real.
Mekhi Blackmon leaped and stole a Stanford pass in the back of the end zone, then dove and pounced on a fumble in front of the end zone and …
Yeah, it’s on.
USC showed up at The Farm and in front of a national television audience Saturday in the first real test of the Lincoln Riley era, a battle against stubborn old rival Stanford, a game that would separate fact from fiction.
After a breathtaking 41-28 Trojans victory, the truths were evident.
Fact: USC might be the best team in the country.
Fact: Quarterback Williams might be the best player in the country.
Fact: Nobody should be surprised if the Trojans qualify for the College Football Playoff and Williams wins the Heisman and …
Yeah, this is happening.
“I love what I’m seeing,” tweeted Reggie Bush during the game at Stanford Stadium, and he was not alone.
While the Trojans’ opener against overmatched Rice was about creating local excitement, this game was about forging national credibility. Performing in front of ABC’s No. 1 announcing team of Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit, the Trojans did exactly that.
They took a quick 14-0 lead, blew it out to a 35-14 halftime lead, led 41-14 after three quarters, and then held on to a victory that didn’t feel nearly as close as the final score indicated. They gained 505 yards, had four takeaways despite allowing 441 yards, committed no turnovers, and won here for the first time in eight years.
Not to mention, they avenged last year’s 42-28 defeat to Stanford that cost Clay Helton his job.
“Look at 12 months ago … a lot’s changed,” said Riley afterward near a locker room where his players had been singing the school fight song.
That change was obvious less than three minutes into the game, when Max Williams intercepted a pass from Stanford’s Tanner McKee and, four plays later, Caleb Williams hit Lake McRee on a gorgeous play-action pass for a five-yard touchdown.
Then, after Blackmon’s end-zone interception, it became more obvious when Caleb Williams finished a drive with a screen pass that curling Addison turned into a 22-yard touchdown.
The most electrifying sign of the change occurred in the final moments of the first quarter when Caleb Williams threw that floater that Addison caught at the 15-yard line before spinning out of the grasp of Kyu Blu Kelly and raced in to complete a 75-yard touchdown.
For the USC fans who filled more than half of the seats, it was stirring. For Stanford fans, it was silencing. For everyone watching anywhere, it was revealing.
Fact: When the Trojans are on offense, you can’t look away.
Fact: When the Trojans are on defense, you also can’t look away, as they ended three Stanford first-half drives with dramatic takeaways, two on the goal line.
Fact: If the Trojans aren’t the best team in the country, they’re certainly the most exciting.
“We’re good, and we need to show the world that we’re really good,” said running back Travis Dye. “I’ve been on some really good teams, and this is the best team I’ve ever been on.”
It starts with Caleb Williams. Arriving in Los Angeles as a transfer from Oklahoma with stars in his eyes and endorsements in his wallet, he began the season under as much pressure as anybody in the country.
He’s handled it. He’s proven it. He’s better than advertised. He’s bigger than the hype.
For a second consecutive game, he was near perfect, completing 20 of 27 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions.
For the season, he is 39 of 49 for 590 yards and six touchdowns and no interceptions, and he’s even better than that.
He runs. He adjusts. He improvises. One moment he is flinging a pass downfield. The next moment he is finessing a pass to the sideline. The next moment he is running and juking and stiff-arming, and it’s contagious.
About that long pass to Addison that will lead the highlight videos, Caleb Williams shared the credit.
“We all executed all as one at one time and it worked out perfectly,” he said.
While the play was an audible, Caleb Williams gave Riley credit.
“I looked over at him … so that was on the big dog,” he said.
The game was essentially clinched soon thereafter with two more compelling plays.
Caleb Williams threw a deep ball that Mario Williams caught for a 43-yard completion followed immediately by a screen pass that Mario Williams ran for a touchdown after breaking three tackles.
Caleb Williams invigorates, inspires and flat-out leads like perhaps no USC quarterback has truly led since Matt Leinart.
It helps that he has Addison, the Pitt transfer who was voted the country’s best receiver last year and is only getting better.
Addison has speed, hands, and worked his way behind Stanford defenders Saturday for seven catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
“You put two ballers together, they just make plays naturally,” said running back Austin Jones of the Caleb Williams-Addison duo.
USC, believe it or not, also has a running game. It was surely not lost on old-school Trojans that they took a 35-14 halftime lead when Dye ran through a gaping hole up the middle for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Dye, a celebrated transfer from Oregon, rushed for 105 yards in 14 carries while leading a rushing attack that gained 164 yards.
But it’s not all offense. While the Trojans will deservedly be criticized for giving up big chunks of yardage to the usual rumbling Stanford offense — for a second consecutive week they made the big plays when necessary.
A Stanford 73-yard drive was stopped by Blackmon’s interception. Another Stanford 73-yard drive was stopped by Blackmon’s fumble recovery after Max Williams popped the ball out of the hands of Stanford’s E.J. Smith. The Trojans have eight takeaways in two games, and each of them seemingly filled with drama.
“We’ve got to clean up the mental execution,” said Riley.
USC got sloppy with nine penalties for 104 yards — brings back some bad memories, right? — but indeed, this was another night when it felt like everything was different.
The evening ended with the USC marching band commanding Stanford Stadium with the familiar triumphant chant.
“We are … SC … We are … SC!”
And, man, are they back.
latimes.com
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What’s the deal with Caleb Williams’s fingernails?
He paints them. When you’re a good-looking, bonafide Heisman candidate with charisma to the max, it’s no big deal.
I see that he paints them. Looks like each finger has a different pattern or symbol. Do you know anything about that?
Competitive symbols about opponents in some cases.
Interesting cat.
The relationship between Caleb and LR seems deeper and more interconnected than I recall seeing with most all other QBs and their coaches.
I think one of LR’s real gifts is his ability to relate to his players in varying circumstances and bring out the best in them, while still insisting on performance.
LR’s emotional IQ is just so off the charts.
Hearing LR talk about former player Fields, then seeing LR’s long emotional hug for him, while ABC waited, was very telling about his connection and character. When ABC finally spoke to him you could see in his eyes his depth of emotion…. USC has a keeper for coach..
CW is officially a part-owner of the brand Faculty a modern grooming brand. Faculty specializes in nail art. He began painting his nails after being inspired by his mother, who is a nail technician. He’s even used nail art to get into his opponents heads, mocking the Texas Longhorns with a “Horns Down” image on his nails last season.
Did Dejon Benton play against Stanford? He was our best DLine in the rice game, but I do not remember him this week.
Yes he did #79 was in the game.
OK (I guess) >>>>> Ross Dellenger
@RossDellenger
·1h
During an interview about his new team’s big win at Nebraska, Clay Helton, unprompted: “How about USC? So proud of them. Lincoln is doing a great job.”
USC AD Mike Bohn & Helton shared texts this weekend. Bohn texted “Really proud of you!”
Not your typical post-firing situation
He is a legit good dude. Still glad he’s not our coach.
Chris, I think that is the correct approach to take. Thank God Clay is not our coach. This was simply the wrong job for him but certainly the right job for LR. But he was nice enough to take another job (he did not have to work for the next I think 3 years) and save SC money. He appears to be very well suited for GA Southern. We will find out more this Saturday, but I doubt Clay beats WI in Madison.
Georgia So. and Clay are 12 points dogs to UAB Blazers this week.
Ya, I’m SO glad feeble Clay Helton is “proud” of USC, the school he dragged to the depths of the competitive gutter, literally causing thousands of Trojan fans to completely lose hope, as well as interest in our downtrodden program.
Congrats Clay. You beat another one of the worst CFB coaches in America causing his immediate termination. What a “warrior”! Go Clay! Beat the Badgers!
Not to mention all the players who could have done so much better under a different head coach.
Just read Norte Dame QB is out for the rest of the season due to injury. We win this one and perhaps our chances of getting into a top tier bowl game Alonso improve.
I wasn’t aware ND had a Qb we needed to be worried about. So far all they have used have been below average, and way below average for a ND Qb. ND is not our worry right now. We have a very tough Fresno, then Oregon St. After that we will trying games leading up to Utah.
Steve, after seeing ND play, I would say that Fresno State presents a much larger challenge. I think Fresno State is as good as any Pac team, save probably Utah and I hope SC. My guess is the Coliseum will sell out for the Saturday night game. It is going to be big time entertainment. Haevner is probably the best passing QB we will face this year. Rising and DTR are far better athletes and both can pass nearly as well. We passed the challenge of our first NFL QB at Stanford. Now we get the second. Really a great… Read more »
What our defense did to Stan was stop the long bomb. We have to do the same to Haener and Fresno St. But they can stop them I think because Fresno runs a more conventional spread offense which USC is better equipped to handle. I am more worried about Fresno than I am OR St. Looking at USC/Fresno stats they are so close on offense and defense it is scary.
And stay out of the O/U this week. lol
It’s crazy how certain coaches seem to be a perfect fit at certain schools. Greg Schiano is a Rutgers coach. His first go around was the only time they were ever any good and he has them playing well now. I wonder if Nebraska will find their guy.
luckily for us, Riley would be great anywhere. Glad he is our guy!
Yes, but he will be greatest at USC!
#europhria
Props to S Max Williams (4) for his turnover-causing play so far this season. It looks like USC has a real winner patrolling the secondary who was swimming slightly under the Trojan radar after his injury. When LR refers to Williams as a “warrior”, it’s not the same as when The Cat lamely threw the term out there in defeat.
“This guy in a lot of ways embodies what we want in this program: a toughness, an edge,” Lincoln Riley said. “He’s been an absolute warrior for us.”
Allen,
Max is a very tough dude and always shows out when he is healthy. I think he will be all Pac-12 this year.
BTW, the picture is our other Williams and other #4, Mario. Nice block from Bynum.
I like Mario just as much as Max. Two #4’s is better than 1.
This morning I mentioned the officiating, which ironically is why I am writing again. I found in my memories from Facebook the fact that USC beat Utah 11 years ago 23-14. But the final score wasn’t announced until well after the game because the refs blew a call and the league overruled the game refs and awarded the Trojans points they scored on the last play of the game. The refs called a penalty on a player after the touchdown for taunting, and originally nullified the touchdown. The original score messed with the Los Vegas bookies who lost money. PAC… Read more »
The O/U is going to be high, like 71.
Found some 2 game stats for USC football:
Key Offensive Stats
Yards/Play 8.3
Points/Play 0.856
Rush Play % 51.20%
Pass Play % 48.80%
Completion %78.95%
3D Conv % 46.67%
RZ Scoring % 72.73%
Key Defensive Stats
Opp Yards/Play 4.8
Opp Points/Play 0.278
Opp Completion % 53.97%
Opp 3D Conv % 34.48%
Opp RZ Scoring % 66.67%
If Nebraska doesn’t throw all of their money at Matt Campbell they are making a mistake. He checks every single box they are looking for.
Not only that but it is only about a 2 hour move.
One has to wonder, the amazing run Osborne had at Nebraska. It would seem during that time Osborne had total support of both Administration and Athletic Department. Osborne, later becomes AD things go along, but not like they were. They have had several coaches since their glory years, none have done well and some had obvious fractious relations with the Athletic Department. Does the interest and desire to maintain a championship quality team still exist in Nebraska. It should be at the top of the list of questions a new candidate should ask. SC went through that same type of… Read more »
I have some more musings on the defense. In these two games, at first they didn’t have an answer for the offense they were up against. The power run of Rice and the RPO/mesh of Stanford. With Rice after a couple of series they made adjustments and were better. Now Stanford surprised with a new look. Again after a couple of series they seemed to figure out how to break into that QB/RB mesh. Funny how Stanford would race down to the 10 then hit a wall. Why not, inside the 10,go back to your roots with the 2 TE… Read more »
The expectations LR assumed by simply taking the USC job are unreal. Since then, he has only added to the USC football fever. Now the Trojans are already #7. Call me impressed, surprised, and grateful.
Allen- I think you are on to something. Nebraska could have saved itself 7 Million by firing Frost after Oct 1st. They obviously felt they didn’t have the luxury. If you are coaching a Power 5 conference team, and lose to a Sun Belt team coached by Clay, you deserve to get Tarmac’d. As for Frost, he did a horrible job with the Huskers. It was very telling that after the Northwestern debacle, one of their starters told the media( paraphrasing) that ” we just played our worst game and only lost by 3. It’s scary how good we are… Read more »
Pat Haden gets credit for creating a new verb — “Tarmac’d”. I guess Lane Kiffin gets the real credit. Maybe they should share it.
Clay, musing to himself, could also look at his victory over NEB this way:
“NEB was so embarrassed I beat them that they immediately fired their coach.”
Exactly, because who gets fired after getting beaten by Saban?
The Demise of Scott Frost
“He’s an undisciplined coach,” said a source close to the program in recruiting and coaching circles. “And the players lack discipline. He had not instilled a healthy fear. There’s no fear of losing your job if you made a mistake. Leadership has to come from the top. When adversity strikes, you bring everybody together.
“For too long, Frost wouldn’t look for help. It was stubbornness with him. His personality wouldn’t allow it.”
theathletic.com
Coaches poll came out and it looks like not a lot of thought went into it. OK St is NOT better than USC and I personally do not think Clemson and Oklahoma are either.
“Outta my way #2!”
https://twitter.com/i/status/1568783506276237314
Surprised the officials didn’t flag him.
Aww…he’s just doing the JuJu Schuster move
USC has added a little Fight On! sign to its helmet. I like it.
I like it!
The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach ranks USC #5 5. USC (2-0) When it’s humming, Lincoln Riley’s offense is one of the most aesthetically pleasing things in college football. And that’s where we are, two games into his debut season at USC. The Trojans scored touchdowns on their first five offensive possessions en route to a 41-28 win over Stanford. Caleb Williams threw for 341 yds and four TDs — two to Jordan Addison, the reigning Biletnikoff winner — in yet another dazzling performance. The USC offense is very good and might be great. But what have we learned about the defense? I am really not sure. The… Read more »
USC in Corvallis on Sept. 24 figures to be a really good one, especially after the Beavers beat FRESNO ST in Fresno last night.
As I wrote earlier, the SC schedule in Weeks 1-4 is like a ladder. Rice was not very good, but a good first rung. Stanford is a much better team than Rice and has always been difficult for SC, particularly at home (where, prior to last night, SC has won only once in the last 10 years). Fresno State is the next rung, and it is a better team than Stanford. The final rung will be Oregon State in Corvallis, which is a better team than Fresno State (particularly at home). My guess is the SC O may well need… Read more »
RJJ: Good read. Notice Rice put up some impressive numbers 52 points yesterday against McNeese St. If they continue that USC win will look even more impressive. This may sound weird, but I am pulling for every team USC plays that after the USC game they have a good season which will improve the USC position. I for one am sick of the cupcake games, and they are extremely prevalent with ucla and the south. Clemson hasn’t been tested and won’t be until next week. Michigan hasn’t had a real game yet and won’t for a while. Alabama squeaked by… Read more »
Rice did rebound and scored 52 yesterday.. We also got good game film on our two next opponents last night. Don’t think either held much back the way Shaw did. Still the next two will create O challenges that will again lead to wacky games. There is no looking ahead by any means as this team continues to
gel and bond.. last week the guys took to Dave & Busters this week? …Oregon St. probably a haunted house👺for the OSU bus drive
Week #2 next season- Georgia Southern at Wisconsin. Watch out Paul Chryst, the Clay Helton week 2 jinx may be upon you
If The Cat somehow beats WIS, all bets are officially off on what could happen this year in CFB. Love it, especially the insanity of it all.
Caught my eye:
UTAH (#14), which lost that opening heartbreaker to UF 29-26, is already ranked ahead of the Gators (#18). ORE also squeezed back in at #25.
The voters have a hard time accepting that they could have been wrong in the beginning. Yes, Utah is pretty good but obviously not that good.
USC is #7 in AP, #8 in Coaches Poll
USC is #7 in AP, #8 in Coaches Poll
Purely for the love of the college game, one has to appreciate BYU’s accomplishments year in & out
As expected, USC moves to #7 in the AP. ND out of the top 25, TAM at #24. Who’s #6? Oklahoma. Maybe Nebraska can fire themselves up to take down the Sooners.
I am good with USC being on the doorstep. Keeps them hungry
Despite Plashke, USC is not the best team in the country, yet. The defense gets rolled till they can make adjustments. Turnovers have helped save the last 2 games. Caleb should be the Heisman favorite at this point. A great player and leader on the field and on the sideline and I’m sure in the locker room.
I believe the defense has a long way to go, but the defense is also partially responsible for those turnovers. Remember under Pete he used to have turnover Tuesday practices? I wonder if LR does anything like that.
Our defense gives me the jitters. Yet, I now view it as a unit that could cause a turn over at any moment in the game. First game I thought it was just luck, now I believe the odds are there they will force at least a couple a game.
Ya, USC has turned back into an “it’s all about the ball” team again. LR’s messages to our troops have been so well conceived and implemented.
We knew coming into the season the defense would be the weak link. And yes, the hustle and take-always do matter, as well as the occasional penetration into the opponents backfield does add up. But with these big chunks of yardage gained against the Trojan defense, it seems we are caught out of position and or slow reacting way too much. If this “over 4-yards per carry would be minimized at least half, it would go a long way to taking better control of most our games. It is a work in progress as we know, to get better. Just… Read more »
Can USC win shoot-out after shoot-out, the question we’ve all been asking ourselves month after month?
I think we’re gonna have to do just that, and our offense with a bonafide Heisman candidate and great HC in complete charge, will have to keep ahead of every posse in heavy pursuit.
What a fantastic, wild, high-scoring Trojan season this promises to be for our already #7 ranked Trojans.
This Trojan team WILL get better and better. Pretty obvious we have the developing talent on O to challenge any team in the country. D will get better as well, yet we don’t have all the pieces on the roster to be exceptional. I do think Grinch will get the most out of who we have.
I could see us blow out ASU, Arizona, Calif., Colorado and yes possibly ND
ND’s pitiful offense and lack of speed was a sight to behold.
I now better understand why Brian Kelly suddenly said adios to South Bend for LSU.
Plashke is consistent- consistently wrong. He loves getting views and being provocative. But he is rarely accurate in his assessments. USC is really improved and entertaining. But we are nowhere near a playoff contender, and I don’t expect SC to be undefeated after our next two games.
Bye, Bye Scottie!
Who would have guessed a year and a day ago. David Shaw would get Helton fired and a year later Helton with a Sun Belt team would get Frost fired. College football is crazy, I love so.
We’ll call it The Revenge of Clay! 🤔
Wrong on that one. NE must have really needed to get rid of Frost right now. Paid an additional $7.5 million not to wait for 3 weeks. And, who does NE go after? No question the #1 prospect is Urban. I doubt Urban’s problems (which to be honest are minor) would put of the NE administration or fans. But after Urban, who? The Marshall coach or the Appalachian State coach look really good to me. Recruiting to WV cannot be any more difficult than recruiting to NE.
NEB fans are yearning for the days of Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne. They always had big O-Lineman and a good “I” back on Offense. Frost seems to be a decent guy and I don’t blame him for leaving a successful UCF team to return to his alma mater. I hope he lands at a place where the HC is not in the “Hot Seat” all the time like the Cat going to Georgia Southern.
Now that Frost is out at Nebraska, I wonder how many schools are going to try and make a run at Urban Meyer? If you are him, do you feel you have to rehabilitate the image and coaching skills, or do you lay low for at least awhile with the cushy Fox gig?
I think Urban could succeed at NEB, just like he has at so many other schools. He’s not suited for the NFL experience for some reason, but I still believe in him as a college coach.
I like Urban as a college coach. No doubt his coaching skills would elevate any program. Still I have to wonder, at this point in his life, is he always just a pic. click and post away from an unconscious personal blunder? …As some say “Just asking”
NEB is so desperate. They haven’t been good in so long, that people are really starting to forget about them.
I’d take a jump start from a coach like Urban, even if I knew he was a short-timer — unless NEB also has a different big-timer in mind who doesn’t present Urban’s drawbacks.
His drawbacks may not be an issue in a local like Lincoln Nebraska.
I certainly could see him there
Huskers would be wise to go after Gary Patterson. He could right the ship, bring maturity and Texas pipeline.
Not a bad idea, if he wants that huge of a rebuild. Gonna be an interesting search by the Huskers I bet.
I thought Stanford was greatly improved over last year and played hard to the end. They won’t face another offense as dynamic as SC the rest of the season and played hard to the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if they win 8-9 games this year.
STAN is a very experienced team with a good QB. Tanner McGee is surely no Caleb Williams, but few are from what I have seen. I think STAN put a lot into this game and they got waxed big-time, behind 42-14 before they could start to get their act together and USC was on cruise control. Sometimes, when a team gets ready big-time and loses large, they kind of blow their wad. It’ll be very interesting to see how David Shaw’s outfit responds to this crucifixion at home. Look at how ND responded to their loss to OHIO ST. Bye… Read more »
Good to see Talanoa Hufanga starting for the Niners. He was an absolute steal in the 5th round for them. Fight on!
I loved TH at USC. A true All-America with a special feel for the game and how to play it. He single-handedly beat UCLA one year IMO. Troy Polamalu’s protege.
Fact: “When the Trojans are on offense, you can’t look away”-BP Never has this been more truthful… time and time again ABC brought to the viewers attention; Riley is a master of offense .
I was pretty harsh on our D in yesterday’s thread. I still want to see big improvement there. But, in the perspective of yesterday’s games, it is very early in the season, and many supposed top teams are struggling in various areas too. Alabama’s receivers, ND’s offense, etc. So, although not satisfied with the D, I will remain optimistic that we can improve.
Fight On!!!
What a great thing to see USC smashing an old rival like STAN on their home turf, with more Trojans in the stands than anyone.
The game really was over by halftime for purposes of the victorious Trojans. It was like the Pete Carroll days when you just knew USC would win, no matter what happened. Except USC’s offense looked more explosive, if that’s possible without Reggie Bush on your team.
Now that USC is getting all the positive rave reviews they will have a target painted on their backs. As we progress through the season the demands on Riley, Williams, Addison, Dye and that incredible O line will become greater. They will be criticized for the defense until it comes together, and if it doesn’t USC will probably not make the top 4. We have had the usual heroes and specific ones in these last two games as players step up and do what they came to USC for. Play championship football. With an offense that is unstoppable, so filled… Read more »
About those penalties. I may have said here last night but a major reason to leave the PAC 12 is the officiating. I don’t know if the officials feel obligated to help the home team or they are just plain blind idiots. You can take 14 Stanford points off the board of the officials got things right. You could add points to USC if they hadn’t been penalized in such one-sided fashion. Two plays that stand out are the pass interference calls in the red zone. USC was called for offensive pass interference when the defender wasn’t even looking for… Read more »
Certainly should have been a flag on the on sides kick when Stanford touched the ball before it had gone 10 yards. I was blowing it on that one.