We’ll have a lot more after postgame interviews, but here’s a quick story from the season-opening win.

https://usc.rivals.com/news/jt-daniels-sparks-offense-late-usc-overcomes-rough-start-vs-unlv

I don’t particularly like how Washington will go play at Auburn today. Putting our best rated team on the line while everyone else throughout the nation plays cupcakes at home. When Washington gets beat today, the PAC 12 will be set up to look weak, again.

Our league scheduling is definitely not in our favor like every other league. We do it to ourselves.

The headline says it all. Truly jaw-dropping; a must read/watch:
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/24505521/the-jaw-dropping-story-nfl-coach-search-family

Kickers deserve a share of the spotlight sometimes too, and if ever there was a time ...

Chase McGrath's five field goals Saturday matched a program record and kept the Trojans in the game until the offense could finally get going. Through just one game, he's already almost halfway to his 2017 field goal total (which is not a great statement for the offense, but certainly a strong one for McGrath).

https://usc.rivals.com/news/chase-mcgrath-ties-usc-program-record-with-5-field-goals-in-opener

Let me begin by saying that I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity to work with Ryan Young. I truly am sorry that there wasn't more dialogue about what was coming in advance. None of us were permitted to comment on the matter.

I've had a chance to get acquainted with Ryan and his work over the past few weeks and am thoroughly impressed with his passion, ambition, dedication, knowledge and creativity. His entire focus is set on making this site better, and he will. We will. Rest assured, I plan to continue working for this site for several years. If you'd like to chat privately, you can always contact me directly through personal messaging. Please do.

I also want to reiterate how much I appreciate you guys. This job is very important to my family and I, and we thank you for your loyalty.

Fight on!

sc Looked horrible especially if the defense is supposed to be so damn dominant

I'll take it, grudgingly. I hope the rust is off.

Fight on.

No. 15 USC 43, UNLV 21

It's easy to find things to nitpick about after USC's win over UNLV, but all things considered, the Trojans showed enough to indicate they will again be a serious contender in the Pac-12. That's primarily because of the performance of quarterback JT Daniels, who became just the second true freshman in program history to start the season opener. As the game went on, Daniels became more comfortable and the team became more explosive. With Stanford and Texas waiting the next two weeks, it was important for USC to help Daniels progress as quickly as possible.

Defensively, USC has a lot to get cleaned up in the running game: UNLV ran for 308 yards on 43 carries. If a team like the Rebels can find that much success on the ground against USC, it doesn't bode well for what the most talented teams might be able to do. -- Bonagura

I was expecting the D to be a lot better this year with the athletes they have and Todd Orlando.

Anyone have an actual good scouting report on this team? Their QB situation still looks like it leaves a lot to be desired.

Never ever go full gumbo.

Perdormancy from a team. All levels offence, defense, special teams have all been disappointing.
WHY DO WE PAY A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH. I know family first.

Porter Gustin was engaging as always after the game Saturday. Here's what he said after notching a fumble recovery on the first defensive snap and a sack on the following series.

https://usc.rivals.com/news/usc-s-porter-gustin-says-he-s-just-getting-warmed-up-knee-feels-good

I set these for just the 12-game regular season schedule. Feel free to offer your takes!

JT Daniels
2,600 yards
22 touchdowns
10 interceptions
62 completion percentage
18 sacks

Stephen Carr
1,200 rushing yards
10 touchdowns

Aca’Cedric Ware
600 rushing yards

Vavae Malepeai
400 rushing yards

Running backs
50 receptions

Tyler Vaughns
70 catches
1,000 yards
8 TDs

Michael Pittman
50 catches
700 yards
6 TDs

Amon-Ra St. Brown
50 catches
700 receiving yards
6 TDs
300 punt return yards
0.5 PR TDs

Velus Jones
30 catches
400 yards
4 TDs
750 kickoff return yards
0.5 KOR TDs

Devon Williams
30 catches
400 yards
4 TDs

Tight ends
40 catches
500 yards
5 TDs

Christian Rector
10 sacks

Porter Gustin
10 sacks

Jordan Iosefa
10 TFLs

Cam Smith
95 tackles

Biggie Marshall
2.5 INTs

Ajene Harris
2.5 INTs

Marvell Tell
2 INTs

Offense
28 points scored per game

Defense
20 turnovers forced
2.5 touchdowns scored by the defense
35 sacks
13 total INTs
22 points allowed per game

Kicking
20 FG attempts
70% accuracy

Team
70 offensive snaps per game
65,000 home attendance per game
9.5 total wins

Here's a look at what head coach Clay Helton had to say after the Trojan's opening game victory against the UNLV Rebels.
They Said It: Clay Helton postgame

I was just watching the funeral for Aretha Franklin. If you can, go to YouTube, if it's there yet, and watch Bill Clinton's eulogy to her. Exceptional!

(there is nothing up yet, so I can't attach anything here, sorry)

Here you go-
Login to view embedded media

I don't see center Toa Lobendahn on the field for warm-ups. No surprise. Clay Helton sounded pretty pessimistic about his availability, while also expressing confidence in redshirt freshman backup Brett Neilon.

Still, USC will be introducing a new quarterback and new center at the same time today, so that's definitely something to monitor.

OLB Porter Gustin is out there, as expected. It will be interesting to see how many snaps he plays today, but the sense all week from coaches (and himself) was that he is ready to go.

You know, for those who do not have Dish Network (99% of country).

Can't make it to a viewing party either.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks! Fight On! Beat the Rebs!!!

early against UT. NM

On Thursday, Clay Helton announced starting safety Bubba Bolden would be suspended indefinitely.

TrojanSports.com has uncovered the reasons for the suspension.

According to multiple sources, the issue originates from a conflict between Bolden and members of a USC women's athletic team in their place of residence. Bolden was asked to leave and refused. He was reported for refusing and given a severe warning by his coaches.

That was earlier this year but the dispute continued. These sources say there was a conflict on this particular women's athletics team over whether or not Bolden was treated fairly in the initial dispute. The conflict on that team erupted and it led to Bolden making potentially inappropriate remarks. At least one party argues Bolden's remarks are threatening and he was reported again. His case is now being reviewed by USC's Title IX office while he's suspended.

One source we spoke to said he expects the Title IX office to take its time reviewing the matter.

We reached out to USC's Sports Information Department twice did not receive comment. We will update this story with further details or their complete denial if they get back to us.

Texas at Maryland. Is 2017 history repeating itself? Watching this one now

Oregon State at tOSU... ugly showing for the P12.

FAU at Okie... I guess what Lane said on the Dan Patrick show last week was true. Don’t belong on the same field. It’s on YouTube and worth a listen, funny, especially his Saban impersonation.

Udub at Auburn... marquee game at 12:30

Last night Furd sputters but pulls away from SDSU. They look very beatable if we can get pressure on Costello

Beat UNLV!

Fight on Clay Helton and the 2018 USC Trojans!

The Tenfold is back, and we take a look at a potential missing link for USC in its quest to win another national title.

The Tenfold

To name a starter for this Saturday's Louisville game... He is catching a lot of flack and reporters think he may wait until the day of the game to announce who will start for the Crimson Tide..... I was not aware of it but apparently Tua who brought Alabama back from defeat in the national championship game had informed Saban that if he didn't get to play in that game he was going to transfer to SC.

The UNLV thread got me thinking. Clay Helton - has he had any blow out wins? Let's assume 28 points is a blow out.

Before we talk about Clay - let's go back to 2015 under Sark. In Sark's shortened 2015 season as head coach Sark had 3 blow out wins in 2015 before Clay Helton took over:

1. Arkansas State 55-6
2. Idaho 59-9
3. Arizona State 42-14 (right at 28 points)

Under Clay Helton USC blow out wins:

1. Utah State 45-7, Sep 2016, right after Alabama kicked our asses
2. Arizona 48-14, Oct 2016
3. Oregon State 38-10, Oct 2017, (right at 28 points but did not feel like a blow out). note: Fink did not replace Darnold until mid 4th Quarter - Fink scores on a 55 yard QB keeper to make it 28 points.

Tell us why!