2024 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

Record: 6-6, Win vs. Texas A&M in Las Vegas Bowl (35-31)

USC entered the 2024 season with high expectations. A season-opening victory against LSU heightened expectations but they quickly came crashing down. The Trojans lost a hard-fought game to Michigan on the road, beginning a stretch of four losses in five games. The season ended with a bowl victory against Texas A&M.

OFFENSE: Trojans were good, but 2025 could be better

Lincoln Riley has a long history of creating elite offenses. Last season, the Trojans were the top passing team in the conference and 23rd overall offense in the nation.

This season, Miller Moss is at Louisville and Jayden Maiava is set to take over. He took over as the starter last season, throwing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions. Maiava has to improve as a passer and cut down on turnovers but he still put up big numbers last season. This includes 360 yards and four scores against Notre Dame.

Maiava will have plenty to work with on the outside. The Trojans return its two top receivers in 2025. Makai Lemon led the team with 52 catches for 764 yards. Ja’Kobi Lane caught 12 touchdowns last season. There might be thin depth behind the top two but USC is loaded on the outside.

USC lost its top running back to the NFL but Riley hit the portal to land Eli Sanders from New Mexico. He has four years of experience and rushed for 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He will work behind an offensive line that might be shaky to start. Syracuse transfer J’Onre Reed will step in at center while Purdue transfer DJ Wingfield will compete for a guard spot. Elijah Paige returns as the anchor of the line on the left side.

DEFENSE: Unit needs to take the ball away

The USC defense does not get a lot of credit — and rightfully so. Last season, the unit improved slightly but struggled to take the ball away and get to the quarterback. That will have to change.

The leading sack man Braylan Shelby will be back. That is the good news. The bad news is he only had three sacks in 2024. Kameryn Fountain is expected to take steps as a sophomore while Anthony Lucas returns from injury. The pass rush will have to improved in a loaded Big Ten.

The middle of the defense will be the strength. Eric Gentry returns from injury and will be among the team’s leading tacklers. Desman Stephens is another standout sophomore that will get work this season.

2025 USC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

• Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. Missouri State
• Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Georgia Southern
• Saturday, Sept. 13: at Purdue
• Saturday, Sept. 20: vs. Michigan State
• Saturday, Sept. 27: at Illinois
• Saturday, Oct. 11: vs. Michigan
• Saturday, Oct. 18: at Notre Dame
• Saturday, Nov. 1: at Nebraska
• Friday, Nov. 7: vs. Northwestern
• Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. Iowa
• Saturday, Nov. 22: at Oregon
• Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. UCLA