Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans sits alone on the bench after the Utah Utes defeated the USC Trojans 34-32 to win a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans with running back Austin Jones #6 after the Utah Utes defeated the USC Trojans 34-32 to win a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Place kicker Cole Becker #36 of the Utah Utes celebrates past safety Calen Bullock #7 of the USC Trojans after kicking the winning field goal to defeat the USC Trojans 34-32 to win a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Place kicker Cole Becker #36 of the Utah Utes celebrates after kicking the winning field goal to defeat the USC Trojans 34-32 to win a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Place kicker Cole Becker #36 of the Utah Utes celebrates after kicking the winning field goal to defeat the USC Trojans 34-32 to win a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Utah Utes celebrates after defeating the USC Trojans 34-32 to win a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans fumbles as Utah Utes recovers the ball in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Safety Zion Branch #8 of the USC Trojans reacts after recovering a fumble by running back MarShawn Lloyd (not pictured) of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans fumbles as Utah Utes recovers the ball in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans fans look on in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Landen King #82 of the Utah Utes catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch #1 of the USC Trojans is tackled by Allen Briton of the Utah Utes in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans passes against the Utah Utes in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles against the Utah Utes in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans fans look on in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Safety Cole Bishop #8 of the Utah Utes covers a fumble by running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Landen King #82 of the Utah Utes catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
USC Trojans defense stops running back Ja’Quinden Jackson #3 of the Utah Utes at the goal line in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans fumbles as Utah Utes recovers the ball in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans fumbles as Utah Utes recovers the ball in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Bryson Barnes #16 of the Utah Utes is stopped on aa 4th down by the USC Trojans defense in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace #17 of the USC Trojans knock away a pass intended for wide receiver Devaughn Vele #17 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tight end Lake McRee #87 of the USC Trojans catches pass for first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Defensive end Romello Height #2 of the USC Trojans reacts after the defense stops quarterback Bryson Barnes #16 of the Utah Utes on a 4th down in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans during a time out against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Bryson Barnes #16 of the Utah Utes is stopped on aa 4th down by the USC Trojans defense in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Devaughn Vele #17 of the Utah Utes catches a pass for first down against the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace #17 of the USC Trojans knock away a pass intended for wide receiver Devaughn Vele #17 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans passes against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Duce Robinson #19 of the USC Trojans drops a ps against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans is sacked by defensive end Connor O’Toole #81 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scramble against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles away from safety Nate Ritchie #31 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans throws the ball away as he is tackled by defensive end Jonah Elliss #83 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans talks with his team during a time out against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Bryson Barnes #16 of the Utah Utes passes against the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans throws the ball away as he is tackled by defensive end Jonah Elliss #83 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans catches pass for first down against he Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Duce Robinson #19 of the USC Trojans drops a ps against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans is sacked by defensive end Connor O’Toole #81 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans catches pass for a first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Tight end Lake McRee #87 of the USC Trojans catches pass for yardage against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans reacts after a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans reacts after catching a pass for a first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles away from safety Nate Ritchie #31 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans runs past safety Nate Ritchie #31 of the Utah Utes for touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Sione Vaki #28 of the Utah Utes catches pass and runs for touchdown against the USC Trojans in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scramble against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans runs for first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans reacts after a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans scrambles against linebacker Karene Reid #21 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans catches pass for a first down against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans reacts after a touchdown against the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Matt Colombo #34 of the USC Trojans prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans dives close to the goal line against cornerback Miles Battle #1 of the Utah Utes in the first half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Running back Quinten Joyner #21 of the USC Trojans prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Offensive lineman Justin Dedich #57 of the USC Trojans prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Utah Utes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — From the ashes of a unit burned, repeatedly, by Notre Dame last Saturday, there rose a new USC offensive line for a titanic matchup with Utah Saturday. Surprising not in theory, because the need for a shake-up on the Trojans’ front was scrawled across the wall in massive font.
But surprising, certainly, in execution.
Judging by head coach Lincoln Riley’s comments on Thursday on the value of playing multiple lineups — “I think in the second half of the season, we’ll see that — and offensive line coach Josh Henson’s consistent praise of sophomore Mason Murphy’s consistency, it seemed inevitable that USC would trot out a new-look front against an unrelenting defensive line in Utah. Even as Michael Tarquin had started at right tackle, Murphy had significantly outnumbered him in snaps across USC’s past couple games, and Henson on Wednesday hardly hid a sign Murphy might start over Tarquin: “We’ll make those decisions tomorrow after practice, but obviously he’s played well the last two games.”
Murphy started, though, not at right tackle but at right guard, as that spot’s incumbent Jarrett Kingston shifted to right tackle. There was little precedent for such an alignment — transfer Kingston mainly playing at left tackle and left guard in his time at Washington State, and Murphy a tackle in high school — but USC has been adamant about rotating guys at a variety of spots since fall camp.
“Whether it’s Jarrett, whether it’s Mason, whether it’s Dedich — whatever the case may be, we’ve shuffled all these guys throughout spring, throughout fall,” quarterback Caleb Williams said in late August.
Something simply needed to give after a six-sack performance against Notre Dame, facing a Utah defense tied for fifth in the FBS in sacks. And something gave in the first quarter Saturday, the new-look line repeatedly keeping a clean pocket for Caleb Williams and opening massive holes in the run game. Kingston swung to the left side to deliver a massive block to spring MarShawn Lloyd for one 45-yard touchdown to open scoring for USC, and Lloyd was given ample room to run for much of the first quarter, racking up 74 yards on just five carries.
How USC’s Caleb Williams is bouncing back: ‘Lions don’t worry about that’
For weeks, whether it be Riley or his brother Zachariah, the message around redshirt-freshman safety Zion Branch had been much the same: it was a matter of when, not if, he’d get an opportunity.
He’d earned a heap of praise through fall camp from most everyone in USC’s program, working his way back from a devastating ACL injury that knocked him out for his entire freshman season. And after a handful of snaps throughout inconsistent performances by the secondary in USC’s first few games, when came on Saturday, Branch seizing the limelight as safety Max Williams was in street clothes with injury.
On a fourth-and-short, with Utah driving deep into USC territory in the second quarter, Branch burst through the line of scrimmage to help drag down quarterback Bryson Barnes on a sneak attempt. He leapt in exhilaration, a year of injury a distant memory, a playmaker finally given the chance to make a play.
“From a personal standpoint, from a work ethic standpoint, quote me as a good dude,” defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said in fall camp. “He checks every box.”
