USC WR Trio Key to Victory Over No. 2 Ohio State

The depth at wide receiver for the USC Trojans (6-2) is an embarrassment of riches.

A trio of pass catchers for the Men of Troy could be the key to victory over No. 2 Ohio State (6-1).

Seven different receivers have caught touchdown passes from quarterback Jayden Maiava, led by three pass catchers who have found the end zone consistently this season.

A member of the vaunted No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, Dixon-Wyatt leads the Trojans in receptions (32) and receiving yards (443), and has four touchdowns to his credit.

He posted a season-high seven catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Oregon.

Dixon-Wyatt was a four-star recruit and Top 60 player nationally. On the recruiting trail, he received 38 scholarship offers.

Dixon-Wyatt chose USC over Ohio State and other top programs.

According to a scouting report by Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports, Dixon-Wyatt was evaluated as a player who gets good separation, is an elite route runner, and tracks the ball well.

This season, Dixon-Wyatt has recorded two games of over 100 yards receiving.

Dixon-Wyatt is coming off a loss to Wisconsin in which he caught five passes for 43 yards and no touchdowns.

Another member of the talented freshman class of the Trojans, Mosley was named a Midseason Freshman All-American by the Athletic as an all-purpose player.

Mosley leads the Trojans with five touchdown passes. He has caught 27 passes for 411 yards, and has averaged 15 yards per catch. Mosley sat out three games due to injury.

In addition, Mosley has contributed as a punt returner as well. Mosley has averaged 24 yards per return, and has one return for a touchdown (86 yards vs. Louisiana).

On the season, Mosley has three games of over 100 yards receiving, including a season-high 118 yards in the season opener against San Jose State.

Mosley was a Top 50 recruit (No. 34) at his position, and chose USC over such schools as Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, and Texas.

Against an inspired Wisconsin defense, Mosley caught five passes for just 45 yards and no touchdowns in a 24-7 loss.

So far this season, Hines has not eclipsed the 100-yard mark. However, he has matched Dixon-Wyatt in touchdown passes with four.

Hines has 19 catches for 239 yards through eight games.

Hines also had tough going against Wisconsin. He caught four passes for 44 yards and no touchdowns.

Over a three-game stretch against Oregon, Washington, and Penn State, Hines caught 10 passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns.  

For this trio of talented receivers to be successful against a tough Ohio State defense, Maiava must be at the top of his game, and the offensive line will have to be better at pass protection.

Against Wisconsin, Maiava was sacked five times, and he threw two interceptions in the first quarter.

Maiava and the offense could not find a consistent rhythm in the passing game.

Maiava will have to be surgical against the Buckeyes, and Dixon-Wyatt, Mosley and Hines will have to find the end zone. The Trojans settling for field goals will not be enough to win.

USC and Maiava must reduce the turnovers. The offensive line has to give Maiava time to throw and let his receivers make explosive plays downfield.

Those explosive plays were missing in the loss to Wisconsin.

If USC can do that, and Maiava can play like he did on the road in the win at Penn State, then the Trojans could pull off an upset of the No. 2 Buckeyes, and set the tone for the rest of the season.