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5 takeaways from the USC spring football game

April 15, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Here are some takeaways from USC’s spring football game, won by the defense by the score of 42-34.

Defense remains shaky

Let’s get this part out of the way, shouldn’t we?

The USC defense was always going to be the unit that received the most scrutiny in the spring game after an offseason wondering if it could fix all the problems that existed in 2022. So when the USC offense drove 75 yards in three plays on the opening series of the game, it spelled trouble for Alex Grinch’s beleaguered unit.

The Trojan defense posted just one three-and-out in the first half, on the second drive of the game. The next drive, USC trotted out its first-team defense against the third-team offense. A nice matchup to boost the confidence and perception of the D, right?

Except that the third-team O-line mashed USC’s defensive front to set up a 45-yard carry by freshman running back Quinten Joyner. Only two Mason Murphy false starts allowed the defense to escape allowing only a field goal.

This isn’t to say the defense didn’t have its moments. Jacobe Covington picked off two passes in the end zone, and Christian Pierce intercepted a Malachi Nelson floater along the sideline. And the defense started the second half strong, with Anthony Lucas, Jamil Muhammad and Raesjon Davis putting pressure on the quarterback.

But by that time, the USC offense had pulled most of its starters. The only starting offensive lineman in the game was Jonah Monheim, who was experimenting at center after starting at right tackle.

So, yeah, there’s still more for USC to address on the defense. Especially on the interior of the defensive line. But with the transfer portal about to open, USC has opportunities to do just that.

Still, head coach Lincoln Riley felt positive about the development of the USC defense this spring.

“The difference in the front-seven is noticeable,” Riley said. “You see, Year 2, some of these guys start to take off and all of a sudden everything’s not so new for them. They start to get settled in and they start to play faster and more confident and more of a playmaking attitude within that scheme because there is that familiarity.”

Breakout

If there was one player who made a name for himself during the spring game, it was Joyner. The freshman running back showed a lot of patience, allowing his offensive line to create holes for him. But when there was no room, he was not afraid to bounce outside and make defensive backs miss in space. He capped his day with a 26-yard touchdown run toward the end of the first half.

Overall, it was a good day for the USC run game. The line did a good job blocking and creating space. South Carolina transfer MarShawn Lloyd didn’t shine too much on the ground, but drew some oohs from the Coliseum crowd with a 25-yard catch in which he tiptoed down the sideline, then spun around to make a tackler miss and pick up extra yards. Freshman A’Marion Peterson added a late TD and hurdled over a defender.

“They’re amazing. I tell them that every day,” Lloyd said of the two freshmen. “They don’t even seem like freshmen to me. They’re still getting the playbook, but they’re very hard workers and it’s only up from here for them.”

One oddity was sophomore Raleek Brown, expected to play a prominent role in the offense this year, receiving one carry on an end-around. But that could be Riley keeping some play designs close to the chest. Brown did add a nice jump-ball catch against Domani Jackson toward the end of the game.

Work in progress

Freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson struggled for much of the day. He missed on his first four attempts, frequently throwing the ball well short of receivers even on button hooks. He had a lost fumble and two interceptions and just didn’t seem comfortable with the offense in his first public showcase.

Redshirt sophomore Miller Moss had a nice day with his arm and feet, and looks comfortable in the backup role for USC.

Branch strong

Highly recruited freshman receiver Zachariah Branch dropped his first target of the day, but settled down to be a reliable option in short-yardage throws for USC’s quarterbacks. He also displayed some surprising strength, given his 5-foot-10 frame and the fact that he enrolled in college only three months ago. He shoved linebacker Shane Lee away on one play, then spun out of a Jaylin Smith tackle attempt on his longest completion of the day.

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“His strength in the weight room as a freshman is crazy,” receiver Dorian Singer said. “He’s incredible. Fast, freakish. What you see on the screen is what you get in practice.”

Heisman back home

Quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t do much on the field. He led that opening, 75-yard touchdown drive with a 45-yard pass to Brenden Rice before finding Mario Williams in the corner of the end zone. After that, he put his helmet down for the rest of the day.

But he did receive USC’s copy of his 2022 Heisman Trophy at halftime. He was flanked by teammates from last year’s team, including Brett Neilon and Travis Dye, as he raised the trophy over his head.

Orange County Register

News Details

5 takeaways from the USC spring football game

Defense remains shaky

Breakout

Work in progress

Branch strong

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