Trojans' Offensive Line Earns Weekly National Honor Roll Award

No. 19 USC Football just received another honor as the offensive line was named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll. 

For 6-1 USC this just adds to a big week of recognition. In the last seven days Lincoln Riley has been named to the Dodd Trophy watchlist and Trent Mosley was named Big Ten Freshman of the week. Quarterback Jayden Maiava was also named to the Jonny Unitas watchlist.

The recognition is justified considering USC has only given up six sacks all year. Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing touchdowns and passing yards. USC has rushed for 12 touchdowns this season and King Miller is coming off of a 100 yard rushing game versus the Penn State Nittany Lions.

A key factor in USC's offensive line being so good is that they returned all five starters from last year's team. Alani Noa (G), Kilian O’Connor (C), Elijah Paige (T), Tobias Raymond (T) and Justin Tauanuu (T) all started for USC in 2025. 

During warm ups prior to the Penn State game Paige, a projected first-round draft choice, suffered an injury and had to miss the game. True freshman Vlad Dyakonov stepped in and played a flawless game at left tackle, showing USC’s offensive line depth.

What shows USC’s quality depth even more is when you consider that their returning starting center Killian O’Connor tore his ACL in training camp. 

Tobias Raymond, who was projected to be their starting right tackle, stepped in and has played excellent at center as O'Connor's replacement. Raymond has started at every position except right guard in his USC career.

This recognition adds to the brilliant history of USC offensive linemen, that includes: Ron Yary, Anthony Munoz, Tony Boselli, Bruce Matthews, and Marvin Powell Jr. All of these men are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and/or the College Football Hall of Fame.

During the offseason Riley stated on many occasions that “the championship window is open”. To many that means that USC is back. Being back means the Trojan offensive line is tough enough to dominate the opposition, which they have been all season considering USC’s offensive success through the first seven games.

USC’s offense leads the nation in first downs with 177. Riley’s offense currently ranks No. 7 in passing offense, No. 21 in scoring offense and No.15 in total offense. None of this is possible without the big guys up front winning the battles in the trenches. 

The offensive line will have its hands full in the next few weeks as USC has Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers remaining on the schedule. According to CBS Sports, Ohio State has the No.1 defensive line in the country with Indiana having the No. 8 defensive line.

Many might see the upcoming games as a challenge, but the USC Trojans probably see it as an opportunity to show the nation just how good they are. At USC they say “Fight On”, which is exactly what they will need to do in order to win those tough remaining games.