Latest news with #Trojans'
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Matt Rhule takes subtle dig at Lincoln Riley during Nebraska media day
The USC Trojans' session at Big Ten media days will be on Thursday. We will then hear from Lincoln Riley and others about the Trojans. Until then we get a chance to see what the Trojans' opponents think about their chances this season and the Trojans themselves. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and the Huskers are taking on the Trojans this season. When asked about USC he made sure to throw a little dig at his good friend and coaching rival. Charlie Viehl with Yardbarker broke down Rhule's statements regarding Riley and the Trojans in a recent feature. "Although USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley is not scheduled to speak until Thursday, a number of USC's opponents, like Nebraska coach Matt Rhule (did speak). USC on SI's Bri Amaranthus asked Rhule about Nebraska's matchup with USC on Nov. 1, and the Cornhuskers coach talked about hosting Riley and the Trojans. "No matter what, Lincoln's gonna find the way to utilize his talent, score points on offense. Obviously they made up big jump last year on defense. It will be a great game. They'll be a top-25 team, and we play later in the year, I hope it's really cold. I hope it's at night and I hope it's really cold," Rhule told Amaranthus. "He's a great coach, and he's a good friend. I mean he's just a great coach," Rhule continued. There is nothing wrong with competition and making things even more interesting before the season starts, but it appears Rhule does not have confidence in Riley's Trojans to perform well in cold weather. This is a notion that Lincoln Riley has been battling since his days at Oklahoma, due to his teams not playing very many games in weather with low temperatures. Riley has always addressed that question with the fact that his Oklahoma teams consistently played well in November, and that he has embraced playing in cold weather. Last season the Trojans lucked out, avoiding playing any games in November in the Midwest. This season they have a matchup at Nebraska on November 1. It will be the Trojans' first true test in the Big Ten with cold weather being a potential factor. We will then see how prepared this team and Lincoln Riley are.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
247Sports names three Trojans as potential Big Ten breakout stars for 2025 season
The start of the 2026 college football season is just weeks away. One of the most exciting parts of each year is seeing new stars emerge in the sport. In a recent story, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports took a look at some potential Big Ten breakout stars for 2025. Three Trojans made the list: Edge rusher Kameryn Fountain, running back Waymong Jordan, and linebacker Desman Stephens II. Here is what Zenitz had to say about each of them: On Fountain 'Kameryn Fountain began to emerge some for USC toward the end of his freshman season last year and was a starter in each of the Trojans' final four games. Now, USC is expecting a second-year jump from the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Fountain, who was a Class of 2024 top-60 overall recruit. ''He's going to break out this year,' a source said.' On Jordan 'Waymond Jordan, the top-ranked JUCO running back in the 2025 recruiting class, has impressed this offseason to the point that he's on track to be USC's starting running back. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Jordan ran for 1,614 yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games at Hutchinson Community College last season. "'Waymond is an all-purpose back who has all the tools to be a dynamic back in the Big Ten Conference,' a source said. 'His natural instincts, contact balance and creative running style will provide (USC) with a unique and consistent running game.'' On Stephens 'Desman Stephens II is set to be a starting inside linebacker for USC after making 13 tackles as a freshman last year. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Stephens had an interception and subsequent 42-yard return during the Trojans' overtime loss to Penn State. ''Big, athletic kid that probably should have played more as a freshman,' a source said. 'Made some plays. Big time (interception) on his first play in the game against Penn State. He has a chance to be really good.'' USC football ceiling The Trojans will need lots of players to play up to or above expectations for this team to have a real chance at making the College Football Playoff. Having these three players live up to their potential would signal a big year for USC. Close margins Virtually every USC game was close in 2025. The Trojans led in nearly every fourth quarter last season. They won a few close ones but lost several. Having players live up to their capacities will push the Trojans over the line and enable them to live on the right side of small margins this season.
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
USC's Alijah Arenas should be cleared to begin practicing Thursday
After surviving a fiery car wreck and successfully skipping his final year of high school to enroll at USC, incoming star freshman Alijah Arenas should be cleared to join the team for practice on Thursday, coach Eric Musselman confirmed. The five-star guard arrives at USC this summer as the most highly anticipated recruit of Musselman's tenure. Musselman — who coached Arenas' father, Gilbert, with the Golden State Warriors — has said on multiple occasions that he expects Arenas to be a difference-maker as a freshman. The question now is how quickly Arenas can get up to speed after missing the first month of summer practice with a team that was totally rebuilt through the transfer portal. USC's coach certainly isn't concerned about Arenas fitting in. Since arriving on campus, Musselman said, Arenas has made a point to follow the coach around on the court during practice. 'I think he knows the offense, on paper, maybe better than anyone on our team,' Musselman said. 'He's got an innate ability to kind of see things in a different manner. 'I would anticipate him picking it up really quick because he's come into our office. He's diagramming stuff during practice. He's talking to managers and GA's about where he should be on the floor.' It was a harrowing few months for Arenas leading up to him being cleared at USC. One early morning in late April, he lost control of his Tesla Cybertruck and hit a tree. The car burst into flames, leaving him trapped inside. He was ultimately saved by a pair of good Samaritans who happened to be nearby, but Arenas would spend six days in the hospital before returning home, miraculously, without any lasting injuries. After finishing his high school classwork so he could graduate a year early, Arenas underwent final medical testing at USC this week, Musselman said. He'll join at the halfway mark for the Trojans' summer practice session.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Jeff Byers in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 53 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC offensive lineman Jeff Byers. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2004-2009 Career highlights: Byers arrived at USC in 2004 and made an immediate impact, playing a key role on the Trojans' national championship team as a true freshman. However, injuries caused him to miss all but one game of the next two seasons. Byers returned to the Trojans' lineup in 2007 and remained there for the next three years, primarily starting at offensive guard while also playing center on occasion. Due to his injuries, Byers was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in 2009. That season, he was named a USC team captain for the second consecutive year, while also earning first-team all-conference and third-team All-American honors. After USC: Byers had the rare fortune of going from college to the NFL without having to change head coaches. After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and head coach Pete Carroll, who coached Byers at USC. However, he was released by Seattle prior to the start of the 2010 season. Being released would not mark the end of Byers's professional career, however. He would go on to play parts of four seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, appearing in 22 games with seven starts. He announced his retirement from the league in 2014.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Celebrating USC football's All-Americans in honor of the Fourth of July
Friday marks the Fourth of July. 249 years ago, the founders signed the Declaration of Independence, marking the foundation of America. In honor of our county's birthday, let's take a look at some fun facts about All-Americans. USC football has produced 177 All-Americans in program history. The most recent Trojan to earn such honors was punter Eddie Czaplicki last season. USC's first All-American was guard Brice Taylor, all the way back in 1925. This year will mark the 100th anniversary of Taylor's All-American season. Of the Trojans' All-Americans, 84 have been Consensus All-American selections—having been voted a first-team All-American by at least three of the five main selectors. This ranks fifth among all schools, behind only Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Alabama. Between 1962 and 1990, USC produced at least one first-team All-American in every season. In addition, from 1972 through 1987, the Trojans had at least one Consensus All-American every year.
