Trojans Defense Becoming a Tough Bunch of Road Warriors

Under Lincoln Riley from 2022 until last season, the USC Trojans (6-1) were 10-10 in road games. This season, USC is undefeated in games away from the Coliseum, winning at Rutgers and Penn State.

Getting healthy and refocusing during a bye week, Riley is pleased with how his defense is playing right now. In an interview on Wednesday with Yogi Roth, Riley spoke about his defense.

“We were a bad road team, you know, three years ago and then we stepped up last year,” said Riley. We had a chance to win every single road game that we played. We won some. We had a couple that went right there to the end that we didn't finish off, but there was like clear growth and now here we are sitting here 2 and 0 on the road, but the night was certainly a big step because you know you have to break through. You have to go get it done right at some point.”

They certainly got the job done in the win at Rutgers, as the Trojans disrupted the Scarlet Knights passing attack. USC intercepted two passes, one of which was returned 99 yards by Prophet Brown, and broke up four passes.

Against Penn State in a hostile environment, the Trojans produced two sacks, four tackles for loss and broke up four passes. They pressured Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht three times, and forced a fumble.

In addition, USC held Penn State to just 68 yards rushing in the 31-23 victory.

Further, USC committed just three penalties against the Nittany Lions, which was their lowest penalty output of the season.

Defensive guru Gary Patterson has forgotten more about how to play defense than most coaches remember. As the defensive coordinator at USC, he has this young, but hungry defense playing well and digging deep when the game is on the line, and they have made plays when needed.

They will need to come together and figure out how to stop Wisconsin (4-1) on their home field, and specifically quarterback Colton Joseph.

In a win over Michigan State, Joseph accounted for 286 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. Joseph leads the team in passing and rushing. Wisconsin is currently on a four-game winning streak.

This is a team that continues to rise to the occasion. They are a young and talented team, where rookies are stepping up and executing and appear to be getting better as the season goes along, which bodes well for the Trojans down the stretch. Remaining healthy will be a priority.

Upcoming games at home against Ohio State, on the road at Indiana and the regular season finale against UCLA will set the tone for the second-half of the season.

If USC can maintain their slow and steady rise, and their energy and desire to play winning football, the Trojans could be right there as title contenders. Not just in the Big Ten, but also in the College Football Playoff. That would be a first for the Trojans under Riley.