Lincoln Riley shares thoughts on USC true freshmen performances

Thirteen of USC’s true freshmen from the 2023 class made their Trojan debuts against San Jose State in the first game of the season. Head coach Lincoln Riley provided a few thoughts on their performance as he joined the Trojans Live radio show on Monday evening.

Three of those true freshmen drew starting assignments for the Trojans. Wide receiver Zachariah Branch started at slot receiver and returner. Linebacker Tackett Curtis and left guard Alani Noa started as well on their respective sides of the ball.

Branch showed every bit of his explosiveness as he recorded 232 all-purpose yards, which included a 25-yard touchdown reception and 96-yard kickoff return touchdown. But it was another trait he displayed that caught Riley’s attention.

“Zachariah obviously made several big plays and I thought played pretty consistent for his first game as a freshman,” Riley said. “I was proud of the way he played.”

That was not a typical performance for a true freshman playing in the very first game of his college career. The performances from Curtis and Noa were a little bit closer to normal.

“They both made some plays that made you understand why you started them,” Riley said. “And then they both made some plays where they looked like freshmen and made a few mistakes. But those two guys though, they’re going to learn from it fast and grow. There’s a ton to be excited about with those guys.”

Riley on Duce Robinson

No USC player had more receiving targets than Duce Robinson on Saturday night. He was thrown to six times and finished with three receptions for 44 yards, including a nice 35-yard gain where he used his body to block out the defensive back and went up high to bring the ball in.

Robinson was listed as a tight end in the 2023 recruiting cycle but was always targeted as a big receiver by the Trojans. He’s starting his career on the outside and will have the ability to move around to the slot and some tight end looks down the line. But Riley said he thinks it’s important to let true freshmen get settled in at one spot before starting to move them around a bit. The 6-foot-6 Robinson made a big impression in his first appearance.

“He played well, made some big catches,” Riley said. “That matchup out there is so unique. You just don’t see that very often with a guy that big.”

Riley on the rest of the USC freshmen

Safety Christian Pierce was the first name Riley mentioned of the other freshmen to play. Riley said Pierce made some “really good plays” on special teams. Pierce was on the field as a blocker for Branch’s long touchdown run.

Defensive lineman Elijah Hughes played early in the game and made a quick impact.

“He showed up on the defensive front,” Riley said. “He had a big TFL. Got held or he would have had a second one on his very first play in there. He was one of the guys that we were watching on Sunday that we were pretty excited about.”

Riley said running back Quinten Joyner “obviously ran the ball well.” Duce Robinson “made some really nice plays.” And Riley lamented the fact that the quarterbacks didn’t find Makai Lemon on a few plays, but Lemon did eventually record the first catch of his USC career late in the game. He also delivered a key block on the Branch touchdown reception.

“There were some young guys that made some noise and did some nice things in their first action,” Riley said.

USC true freshmen to play against San Jose State

Quarterback Malachi Nelson – 1-for-3 passing for 0 yards

Running back Quinten Joyner – 5 carries for 34 yards

Running back A’Marion Peterson – 4 offensive snaps

Wide receiver Zachariah Branch – 4 receptions for 58 yards and 1 TD, 1 rush for 12 yards, 3 punt returns for 66 yards, 1 kickoff return for 96 yards and 1 TD

Wide receiver Duce Robinson – 3 receptions for 44 yards

Wide receiver Makai Lemon – 1 reception for 0 yards

Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane – 1 reception for 5 yards

Offensive guard Alani Noa – 1 start, 31 offensive snaps

Offensive tackle Elijah Paige – 8 offensive snaps

Defensive lineman Elijah Hughes – 1 tackle

Rush end Braylan Shelby – 1 tackle

Linebacker Tackett Curtis – 2 tackles

Safety Christian Pierce – Participated on special teams

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