what channel is USC football on
Caleb Williams, aided by a rejuvenated rushing unit, turned defenders into turnstiles and helped USC football careen closer to college football’s four-team playoff. Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington and Dorian Singer also caught TD passes for the Trojans in their second season under coach Lincoln Riley.
The Trojans next face Notre Dame in South Bend, then Utah or Washington at home. Plenty of stumbling blocks remain on this schedule.
Caleb Williams
USC Football, Heisman Trophy winner was a big part of the reason why the Trojans won their season opener against San Jose State. He looked his usual smooth, elusive self in leading the offense in six TD drives in eight series. Dorian Singer, Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice also caught TD passes for the Trojans in their 24-0 win. Austin Jones added two rushing touchdowns.
Williams was a special player last season for the Trojans, racking up 4,537 yards and 42 total touchdowns in just 14 games. He was the youngest and first sophomore to win a Heisman since the 1970s and is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in college football.
He has been a great ambassador for the program, signing national deals with PlayStation, Alo Yoga and other brands this summer. He’s already on the 2023 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List and has a chance to earn the nation’s top individual award for a second straight season.
It was a good start for USC Football defense, which struggled at times in the 2022 season. The Trojans added a wealth of talent through the transfer portal, including defensive lineman Kyon Barrs from Arizona, safety Mason Cobb from Oklahoma State and cornerback Domani Jackson from Texas A&M. They all made contributions in their debuts.
But it’s not fair to place the burden of success on any one individual, even if he is a transcendent player. Lincoln Riley will have to evaluate the entire defense and figure out how to make it better. He’s going to need every piece if he wants to keep USC in the CFP conversation. For now, that includes keeping Williams healthy and afloat against tough teams like Oregon and Notre Dame.
Korey Foreman
cocci, dropping into coverage and intercepting UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson to seal a victory for the Trojans.
Despite that moment, Foreman’s freshman season was a struggle. He played just under 15 snaps per game, including pass-rush downs, and didn’t register a single sack. The Trojans are hoping for better things from Foreman this year.
In the past year, Foreman has worked to get his game on track. He’s added weight and gained strength. He has worked to improve his run defense and pass rush by learning to read and react quickly. He has violent hands and is adept at breaking through and disengaging from blockers. He’s also fluid and aggressive in pursuit, tracking the ball and often finishing plays as an authoritative wrap-up tackler.
With Tuli Tuipulotu and Nick Figueroa graduating, Foreman is expected to assume a greater role on the USC defense this year. But that could depend on how quickly he can get his game in sync with the rest of the team.
Foreman has already shown signs of figuring out the speed of the USC football offense and getting comfortable in pass-rush situations. But he needs to be more consistent to earn his spot in the rotation up front. If he can do so, it will be a big step in the right direction for his NFL future. If not, his sophomore season will be a struggle. And that’s a risk no one wants to take.
Raleek Brown
There are a lot of questions surrounding the backfield for USC Football, but the Trojans got a big boost on Saturday when freshman running back Raleek Brown scored his first touchdown as a Trojan. The Mater Dei running back is a blue-chip prospect who is the first big-name commitment of head coach Lincoln Riley’s tenure. He missed the spring and didn’t get much of a chance to play, but he has quickly captured the attention of his teammates.
It didn’t take long for Brown to show why he was so highly regarded coming into the game. On the opening drive, he took one of two red-zone carries and then made an impressive 41-yard gain down the left sideline. He also caught two passes for 40 yards and had a quarterback sneak for a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Brown is a different player than the typical USC football running back, but he has that special something. Brown’s quick, agile and explosive, with a 4.47 40-yard dash time as a high school freshman. He’s not afraid to go up and over defenders, either. He’s a runner with a Heisman Trophy in his future, and that’s not just an opinion of his teammates.
Brown is going to be a major part of the backfield this season, and he may even see some time at wide receiver as well. The Trojans aren’t likely to have many players better than him on the roster, so he will definitely be a player to watch this year. And if he’s able to keep his injuries at bay, he could be a real impact player for the Trojans this year.
Jha-Quan Jackson
Jha-Quan Jackson is an undersized overachiever, but he makes his mark with speed and smarts. The 2021 graduate from Hahnville made a huge impact with his 87-yard touchdown catch in Tulane’s Cotton Bowl win over USC that altered the course of program history. The magical campaign was a result of much hard work, not just on the field but in the classroom and in the community. Jackson embraces the challenge of high expectations and is well on his way to becoming Tulane’s next big NFL player.
A second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection at wide receiver, Jackson also excelled on special teams last year with a career-high 21 punt returns for 213 yards and a touchdown, ranking him first in the conference. That included a 90-yard return against Memphis that stands as the second longest in Green Wave lore behind only “Bullet” Joe Bullard’s 92-yard return in 1969.
Jackson has been a key contributor in all areas for the Green Wave and has been named to Phil Steele’s All-American Athletic Conference Fourth Team this season. His versatility will be vital this season with Michael Pratt entering his fourth year as the starting quarterback.
Tulane opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 at Yulman Stadium with a non-conference game against South Alabama. The Green Wave begin Pac-12 play the following week with a home contest against Stanford (with new coach Troy Taylor) and conclude the regular season on Nov. 18 with a game against crosstown rival UCLA in Los Angeles.
Charles White
A Heisman Trophy winner and a national champion for USC Football, White was more than just a talented football player. He was an icon and beacon of hope for kids in Pacoima, California, and beyond. White’s story reached iconic status when he helped the Trojans beat Ohio State in the 1979 Rose Bowl.
The 40-year-old White had already established himself as a San Fernando High School legend when he won the CIF Los Angeles City and state 100-yard dash championships in 1974 and 1975. He teamed with teammates Kevin Williams and Kenny Moore to win the team championship in both years. He was also a two-time LA City and state 400-yard hurdles champ.
White would go on to be a four-year letterman for USC Football from 1976-79 and a two-time first team All-American. He set 22 NCAA, Pac-10, and USC records during his career. He also won the Walter Camp, Maxwell, and Pop Warner awards and was named Rose Bowl MVP in each of his senior seasons.
They was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. In addition to being a Heisman Trophy winner, White was an NFL running back for nine seasons, winning one Super Bowl with the Browns in 1980. White passed away earlier this week at the age of 64 from liver cancer. His funeral was held on Wednesday in Newport Beach, California. His legacy will live on for years to come.