USC defeats Fresno State, remains unbeaten in Lincoln Riley era

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is congratulated by teammates after scoring a landing in opposition to Fresno State in the primary quarter Saturday.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

After two weeks of bending and bending and bending some extra, it appeared solely a matter of time earlier than USC’s discomfiting protection may lastly break, leaving Caleb Williams and their electrifying counterparts to bail out the Trojans on their very own.

The chance loomed like a darkish cloud over an impossibly brilliant begin to the season for USC, creeping into each dialog concerning the Trojans’ trajectory, a caveat it had but to counter.

Those considerations crept again into the Coliseum all through USC’s 45-17 victory on Saturday night time, even because the Trojans stored a largely comfy lead all through. They rolled in as Fresno State flew up and down the sector for 421 yards and reverberated as Bulldog working backs burst by large holes in the USC entrance.

But once more, that darkish cloud was whisked away earlier than the Trojans discovered themselves in too dire of straits. This time, nonetheless, it wasn’t simply Williams who whisked USC out of hazard.

Read extra >>>

Fresno State backup quarterback Logan Fife led the Bulldogs on a 10-play, 74-yard drive that stalled one yard in need of the top zone.

That about summed up the night time for the USC protection, that continued to bend deeply at instances however usually delivered large performs.

USC ran out of the clock to seal a 45-17 win over Fresno State, enhancing to 3-0 throughout Lincoln Riley’s tenure.

USC is rolling to the end line at this level.

Denis Lynch hit a 41-yard discipline objective with 4:13 left in the sport. It helped offset a sloppy drive throughout which Caleb Williams fumbled and recovered the ball.

USC leads Fresno State 45-17 and is poised to enhance to 3-0.

It doesn’t rely as a takeaway, however a turnover on downs is simply nearly as good for the USC protection.

The Trojans stopped Fresno State on fourth-and-12 as Malik Sherrod bobbled a move from Logan Fife, giving the offense the ball again on the USC 15-yard line.

Tuli Tuipulotu sacked Fife for a seven-yard loss on third right down to arrange the lengthy fourth-down try. It was USC’s fourth sack of the night time and Tuipulotu’s second.

USC leads 42-17 with 9:29 remaining.

Tight finish Malcolm Epps had an interception at USC earlier than he caught his first landing. The Texas switch now has one in all every large play.

Epps caught a 10-yard landing move from Caleb Williams to place the Trojans up 42-17 with 14:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Epps ended the second half with an interception when he made a shock look on protection throughout Fresno State’s Hail Mary move.

Williams, who hasn’t been at his sharpest tonight, is 22-of-34 passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns. His 12 incomplete passes are greater than he had in the primary two video games mixed (10). But he has accomplished passes to eight totally different receivers.

Caleb Williams accomplished a 21-yard move to Tahj Washington on the ultimate play of the third quarter to place USC in the pink zone to start the fourth quarter.

The Trojans, who lead 35-17, will start the fourth quarter with first-and-goal on the Fresno State five-yard line.

Williams is 21-of-32 passing for 235 yards and one landing. He additionally has two dashing touchdowns. Mario Williams has a team-high 77 receiving yards with six catches.

Brandon Pili’s third-down sack compelled Fresno State to accept an extended discipline objective strive, which went vast left.

The Trojans preserve their 35-17 lead with 3:30 remaining because the Fresno State offense continues to be adjusting to backup quarterback Logan Fife, a sophomore who has performed in only one recreation previous to tonight.

USC has two sacks in the second half.

After leaving the earlier drives with trainers by his aspect, Travis Dye proved he’s feeling simply tremendous as he stepped by not less than three would-be tacklers on a 25-yard landing run to place the Trojans up 35-17 with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter.

The former Oregon working again has 85 dashing yards with one landing to go along with 36 receiving yards on three catches.

One drive after Jake Haener was carted off the sector with a leg damage, backup Logan Fife calmly led a Fresno State landing drive to maintain the Bulldogs in the sport.

A 32-yard rush from Sherrod Malik lower USC’s result in 28-17 with 9:04 to go in the third. Fife tried three passes on the five-play drive with completions of eight and 26 yards. The eight-yard move got here on a crucial third-and-five that stored the chains transferring for the Bulldogs, who have been in hazard of letting momentum swing absolutely towards USC.

With or with out a helmet, Austin Jones can rating a landing.

The working again elevated USC’s result in 28-10 after a three-yard landing run with 11:14 remaining in the third quarter.

Jones’ first journey into the top zone was negated as a result of his helmet bought pulled off. Despite the face masks penalty, the play was referred to as lifeless the place his helmet bought yanked off. Jones made the following carry rely, working up the center for his team-high third dashing landing of the 12 months.

Jones bought the pink zone carries after working again Travis Dye bought harm earlier on the drive. The Oregon switch who has 60 dashing yards advert 36 receiving yards in the present day, was gradual to rise up, however was capable of stroll to the sideline beneath his personal energy after trainers attended to him on the sector.

The nation’s greatest ball-hawking protection is again to its previous methods.

USC, which entered the sport with an astronomical plus-4 turnover margin, has compelled takeaways on back-to-back possessions, together with a fumble compelled and recovered by Soloman Byrd on Fresno State’s first offensive drive of the second half.

Byrd sacked Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener for a five-yard loss and jumped on the unfastened ball. The Trojans additionally bought a takeaway from tight finish Malcolm Epps, who made a particular defensive look on the final play of the primary half to defend a Hail Mary try and grabbed an interception.

To make issues worse for Fresno State, Haener was harm on the sack. The quarterback appeared to get his proper leg twisted in the pile and stayed down in important ache after the play. He was helped by trainers onto an damage cart and pushed off the sector to applause from the gang.

USC nonetheless leads 21-19 with 12:20 to go in the third.

The Trojans selected to obtain the ball to start out the sport and now Fresno State will get the opening kick to start the second half.

The Bulldogs path 21-10, however have been capable of cease the potent USC protection on consecutive drives late in the second quarter. USC, which transformed three of its first 4 third-down makes an attempt, is 0-for-four on third downs since. The Trojans are three-for-three on fourth downs, although.

USC’s first takeaway of the night time got here on the final play of the primary half.

Trojan Malcolm Epps — a 6-foot-6 tight finish — got here in for Fresno State’s Hail Mary try on the ultimate play of the second quarter and got here down with an interception, securing a 21-10 USC lead at halftime. Bulldogs quarterback Jake Haener ended the primary half with 117 yards on 10-of-17 passing with one landing and one interception.

USC’s Caleb Williams is 16-of-26 passing for 143 yards and one landing together with two dashing touchdowns. His 10 incompletions equals his mixed incompletions from the primary two video games.

Fresno State has slowed the potent USC offense by dropping seven or eight gamers into protection. Williams can dance in the pocket for prolonged durations of time, however doesn’t have any home windows to throw into. Fresno State’s defensive technique paid off with a protection sack on third-and-seven, which compelled USC’s second consecutive punt. The Trojans have already punted twice in the present day after solely punting 3 times mixed in the primary two video games.

Fresno State has three sacks for 25 yards.

We have a uncommon first-half look from USC punter Aadyn Sleep-Dalton.

The Australian punter had solely kicked 3 times this season, all coming in the fourth quarter of video games.

Sleep-Dalton was referred to as into obligation when the Trojans gave up a sack on third-and-19. Facing fourth-and-33 from the Fresno State 43, Sleep-Dalton pinned the Buldogs at their very own five-yard line with a deft 38-yard punt.

Left deal with Bobby Haskins appeared to endure a left arm damage on the drive and left the sport earlier than third-and-19. Mason Murphy got here into the sport in Haskins’ spot and gave up a sack on the following play, forcing the Trojans to punt. Courtland Ford seems to be out for in the present day’s recreation regardless of being dressed in pads on the sideline.

Fresno State’s late-night espresso simply kicked in.

The Bulldogs scored their first landing of the sport with a 39-yard move from Jake Haener to Erik Brooks. USC now leads 21-10 with 6:30 to go in the second quarter.

Brooks slipped a would-be deal with from USC security Calen Bullock to finish the five-play, 75-yard drive.

Despite going three-and-out on their opening drive, the Bulldogs are transferring the ball nicely. They’re gaining 8.6 yards per play in comparison with USC’s 5.7. The large distinction is that Fresno State settled for a discipline objective on its second drive, conserving this a two-score recreation midway by the second quarter.

Caleb Williams’ second dashing landing of the night time has USC up 21-3 with 8:04 remaining in the second quarter.

The Trojans appeared to attain on the earlier play, however Jordan Addison was dominated down out of bounds on the half-yard line. Williams had no drawback ending the drive on the following play, plowing ahead for the rating.

Although it didn’t consequence in a landing, Mario Williams offered a key block on Addison’s five-yard catch, displaying USC’s dedication to physicality on either side of the ball.

The Trojans wanted two fourth-down conversions on the drive.

Caleb Williams dumped a fast move over the center to Travis Dye for a six-yard acquire on fourth-and-four from the Fresno State 40-yard line to maneuver the chains. Dye has been lively in the primary half, dashing for 48 yards on 5 carries and grabbing three catches for 36 receiving yards.

The quarterback stored it himself on the following fourth-down alternative, dashing for 11 yards on fourth-and-one after faking the handoff to Dye. Caleb Williams is 15-for-24 passing for 132 yards and one landing with 26 dashing yards and two dashing touchdowns.

Fresno State got here near a landing however as a substitute settled for a 23-yard discipline objective after Jake Haener’s third-down throw to the top zone was damaged up by Eric Gentry.

USC leads 14-3 with 14:46 left in the second quarter after Fresno State’s kick.

The Fresno State offense is threatening with third-and-goal from the USC five-yard line on the finish of the primary quarter.

The Bulldogs haven’t confronted a 3rd down on this drive, which began on their very own 25-yard line.

USC, which leads 14-0, is outgaining Fresno State 138-71, however the Bulldogs have proven some potential on the bottom, averaging 8.8 yards per rush try (44 yards on 5 carries).

USC is 106th in the nation in rush protection, permitting 183.5 yards per recreation.

Get a quarterback who can do each.

After throwing for the opening rating, Caleb Williams stored the ball for an eight-yard dashing landing. The quarterback’s first dashing landing of the season places USC up 14-0 with 3:35 remaining in the primary quarter.

Compared to final week’s first half in opposition to Stanford when the Trojans didn’t face a 3rd down till the final drive of the second quarter, tonight’s offense seems to be comparatively mortal. But it’s no much less efficient as USC has scored touchdowns on each of its drives, every methodical 12-play marches.

Not solely did Williams present his dual-threat functionality in the pink zone, however he stored the drive alive on fourth-and-two by scrambling for 4 yards. The quarterback is 10-for-16 passing for 81 yards and one landing with 13 dashing yards and one other rating.

Name a extra iconic duo.

Caleb Williams and Jordan Addison related for a two-yard landing move on USC’s opening drive to take a 7-0 lead with 10:05 to go in the primary quarter.

Williams has now thrown 5 of his six touchdowns this season to Addison, who had three catches for 26 yards on the opening 12-play, 83-yard drive. Williams went five-for-eight for 40 yards.

Running again Travis Dye paced the Trojans on the bottom with 34 yards on three carries.

The Trojans bought some assistance on third-and-seven on the Fresno State 12-yard line as Fresno State’s Bralyn Luz was referred to as for move interference on Jordan Addison. Addison caught his first landing of the sport on the very subsequent play.

As a personnel notice, Virginia switch Bobby Haskins bought the beginning nod at left deal with after Courtland Ford left final week’s win in opposition to Stanford with a decrease leg damage.

Haskins and Ford have been splitting reps at left deal with in the course of the first two weeks, however Ford began the earlier video games. Ford was seen on the sideline in full uniform throughout warmups.

Hello, that is Thuc Nhi Nguyen. I’m piloting tonight’s late-night reside weblog as USC faces Fresno State on the Coliseum in a traditional Pac-12 After Dark matchup.

The Trojans gained the coin toss and opted to obtain the opening kickoff. USC is attempting to enhance to 3-0. Fresno State, which isn’t any stranger to an upset in opposition to an L.A. crew (ask UCLA about it), is 1-1 this season beneath head coach Jeff Tedford.

USC vast receiver Jordan Addison breaks away from Rice defensive again Sean Fresch to attain a landing in the course of the Trojans’ season opener on Sept. 3.

(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)

It took only one step for Jordan Addison to know he had the higher hand.

The indicators have been there in the moments earlier than the USC wideout’s dazzling 75-yard score final week, in case you knew the place to search out them. First, there was the only deep Stanford security, anticipated to discourage USC quarterback Caleb Williams from chucking it downfield to the perfect deep-ball receiver in faculty soccer. Addison knew there was no want to fret; the security would absolutely creep as much as cowl the beneath route in the slot, leaving loads of open grass behind him.

The most important inform got here from the cornerback throughout from Addison. The Trojans’ prime receiver noticed he was lined up on his exterior shoulder, making ready for man protection. So Addison obliged his desire, taking off towards his inside shoulder, earlier than bursting into hyper drive on a deep publish. There was no stopping him by that time.

Read extra >>>

USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon warms up throughout follow.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

Mekhi Blackmon had seen the play earlier than and knew find out how to reply.

Two years earlier, as a cornerback for Colorado, Stanford twice examined Blackmon on the identical jump-ball play name; each instances he’d efficiently batted the move down. This time, as a senior nook at USC, he would do one higher.

Blackmon confronted common assessments in USC’s 41-28 victory over Stanford this previous Saturday, proving his place because the Trojans’ prime nook as Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee focused him 10 instances.

The most ill-advised of these makes an attempt, the one Blackmon acknowledged forward of time, got here at a crucial early juncture Saturday. Stanford had simply mounted a seven-minute, 13-play drive, rolling over the Trojans’ protection with relative ease. Faced with a fourth-and-goal, Blackmon clung to 6-foot-3 Cardinal wideout Elijah Higgins, who arrange in the top zone, awaiting a well-known soar ball from McKee.

“I anticipated the same thing coming,” Blackmon stated, “and when he threw, I was able to tip it up.”

Read extra >>>

USC quarterback Caleb Williams arms the ball off to working again Travis Dye in opposition to Stanford on Sept. 10.

(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)

PALO ALTO — When the negatives about USC’s 41-28 win over Stanford snuck in Lincoln Riley’s head — the sluggish second-half offense, getting gashed by Stanford’s working recreation, a missed discipline objective — the coach warded them off by remembering the place this crew got here from.

“Look at 12 months ago,” he stated repeatedly.

On this similar weekend in final 12 months, USC bought rolled by Stanford on the Coliseum. It value the Trojans their coach. It upended the whole season. It led to Riley’s eventual rent.

From these ashes, the Trojans constructed a crew that checked out instances Saturday like a juggernaut on offense and gained at Stanford for the primary time since 2014.

Read extra >>>

USC gamers take the sector earlier than their win over Stanford on Sept. 10. The Trojans look to enhance to 3-0 on the season Saturday in opposition to Fresno State on the Coliseum.

(Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)

It doesn’t take a math whiz to know USC’s charge of turnovers compelled just isn’t sustainable. With 4 takeaways in every of its first two video games — and nil turnovers misplaced — USC’s turnover margin sits atop all of faculty soccer. No crew in latest historical past has stored up a plus-two tempo in turnover margin, not to mention plus-four.

Regression is coming. But for now, Alex Grinch isn’t about to let math get in the best way of the mentality he’s attempting to instill.

“The messaging is 100% we control it 100% of the time, and we don’t let truth get in the way,” the USC defensive coordinator stated with a smile.

So Grinch actually thinks USC can preserve this breakneck tempo?

Read extra >>>