Key Takeaways from the USC Spring Game
With the USC spring game in the books, we’re taking a look back with some key takeaways from a game won by the Trojans’ defense 42-34.
Caleb Williams is still Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams threw two passes and was active on the field for about 45 seconds and managed to remind everybody that he’s the best player in college football.
Williams drilled a pass to Brenden Rice on the first play of the game and then found Mario Williams in the back of the end zone two snaps later. It was a very fun reminder of just how good Williams is. His presence tilts the field so far to the offensive side that it was actually good to see so much of the game without him in it.
Although, it would have been fun to see him come back off the bench for that final offensive drive of the game.
Lincoln Riley was asked after the game why Williams played so little. He made the point that they want to maximize the value of these spring game reps. And a situation like this provides a major opportunity for Miller Moss, Malachi Nelson and Jake Jensen. Williams doesn’t get the same value out of it because of the amount of football he’s played.
Covington Comes Up Big
Jacobe Covington recorded two interceptions and they were both game-changers. The first took a touchdown pass away from Miller Moss and Dorian Singer. It was initially ruled a touchdown. Riley said he made an executive replay decision and gave it to Covington.
The second ended the game and sealed the win for the defense.
Covington is one of the players Riley spoke highly of this offseason heading into spring ball. There’s a huge hole at cornerback following the departure of Mekhi Blackmon. Covington is one of four guys who seem poised to elevate to that No. 1 spot. But he’s the guy who drew the most buzz this offseason.
Christian Roland-Wallace didn’t participate in the spring game and he’ll be expected to make an impact this fall. But Covington has that impressive size and length that USC is looking for at cornerback. If he can assert himself this fall the way he did Saturday at the spring game, it’ll be big for the defense.
Young Backs
What a day for the true freshman running back tandem of Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson. Both finished the day with touchdowns and both had impressive runs outside of that.
Riley spoke highly of Joyner, saying he seems to make a big play at every practice.
There’s something very natural about everything he does. I don’t think he’s going to get listed as the biggest, or fastest, or anything-est during his career. He’s just going to churn out yards and touchdowns.
Peterson is already so big for a freshman. The play that stood out didn’t really gain many yards, but showed his ability to change direction and get upfield quickly to pick up the few yards that were there.
Defense is Trending Up, But Not There Yet
Ultimately, that performance might not convince USC fans that a 2022 defense that cost the Trojans big time in three losses has been fully fixed. The USC offense averaged 9.6 yards per rush and the running back trio of Austin Jones, Quinten Joyner and A’Marion Peterson recorded a total of 153 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. But stats don’t tell the full story when units are rotating as much as they do during the spring game.
The truth is that it’s very easy to see the improvement at every level of the defense compared to last year. And the Trojans were playing without four potential key contributors next fall in cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace, rush ends Romello Height and Solomon Byrd and defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni.
But it’s also fairly obvious that the defense still has a couple rungs to climb before its at the top of the ladder. The development will continue. This was just the first 15 practices in this scheme for all of the newcomers. And there could be a few major additions to that side of the ball still coming via the transfer portal. What’s evident is that the starting point on the first day post-Spring Game 2023 is far, far ahead of the same point in 2022.
The Hits and Misses of Branch and Brown
That felt like a good look at what Zachariah Branch and Raleek Brown could provide for the USC offense this season. Although, Saturday didn’t showcase their potentially huge impact on special teams.
Branch finished with eight receptions for 94 yards and it somehow felt like a quiet day for him. That’s what he’s capable of on the field. He did get on the end of one ball where he was able to use a bit of a rub to get outside and on top of Jaylin Smith downfield. Quarterback Miller Moss landed a really well-thrown ball right into his hands.
Branch did have a drop or two, which was one of the very slight concerns about him coming in. That ability to stay completely focused and make every single play is not easy for a freshman. But Branch is so talented with the ball that his drops are magnified. (And forget about making guys miss. How about the pile driver he delivered to Shane Lee in shaking off that tackle? There weren’t any extra yards and I wouldn’t expect Lee to let that happen again. But it was a powerful reminder that Branch isn’t some 140-pound slot receiver just looking to avoid contact.)
Brown had a very nice catch and run on the outside where he was able to make a defender miss and get upfield for extra yards. He was also dropped for a seven-yard loss on an attempted reverse.
These two are going to be so valuable for this offense as threats to receive the ball anywhere on the field. But looking every ball in and making sure they’re gaining every available yard will be key for their development this fall.
Tackett Curtis is Here
Freshman linebacker Tackett Curtis is going to play and play a lot for the Trojans this fall. And what’s more, USC’s opponents are going to know that they just played against Tackett Curtis. This guy leaves a mark.
Lloyd’s Extra Dimension
Running back MarShawn Lloyd needed one touch in the spring game to show the extra dynamic he brings to that position group. He’s a thicker back, but he’s also elusive. That spin move on the sideline to generate a bunch of extra yards is a sign of things to come from him. If you want to talk about head coach Lincoln Riley holding things back and not putting a lot of stuff on tape, USC’s likely starting tailback tandem of Lloyd and Jones combined to carry the ball just one time in this one. Opponents are going to have to figure it out for themselves this fall.
Miller Should be the Backup for Now
It sure didn’t seem like true freshman Malachi Nelson did enough to jump veteran Miller Moss for that No. 2 spot behind Williams. Nelson had a couple of throws that just won’t work at this level. But he’ll learn from those. And as he continues to get fully healthy from that offseason shoulder surgery, Nelson is going to improve dramatically this summer. By the time the season comes around, this could be a different quarterback battle.
But for now, Moss has the look of a veteran backup who could go in and run the offense proficiently. He was inches away (and not his fault) from a touchdown vs an interception and a very different stat line today. His confidence in the offense is pretty evident, and that’s an important thing for this season.
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