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Zachariah Branch shines in his college football debut, sparking USC to blowout win
Move over, Caleb Williams. Zachariah Branch is here for his moment.
The freshman receiver stole the show in his college debut, jolting No. 6 USC out of its offseason slumber with 232 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening 56-28 victory over San José State at the Coliseum on Saturday.
After San José’s Nick Nash caught a 32-yard touchdown pass to cut USC’s lead to 35-21 with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter, casting a nervous pall over the announced crowd of 63,411, Branch received the kickoff near the four-yard line, tip-toed forward slowly and hit overdrive straight up the middle. He hopped over a tackler and the crowd rumbled with excitement. He zig-zagged to the sideline and cut back a final time on a 96-yard touchdown as the fans released a cheer that was both joyous and relieved.
Malachi Nelson earns snaps and USC closes out a win
No. 6 USC put the finishing touches on a lopsided win that somehow might feel like a loss among Trojans fans.
Caleb Williams and Zachariah Branch delivered highlight plays and both reserve quarterbacks Miller Moss and Malachi Nelson got snaps, but the Trojans’ defense struggled to hold off a dual-threat quarterback the No. 6 team in the country was expected to contain.
Check back soon for postgame updated.
Final: No. 6 USC 56, San José State 28
Spartans recover onside kick despite Lincoln Riley protests
Special teams units have delivered big plays in this game.
USC returned a kickoff for a touchdown and San José State pulled off a difficult recovery of an onside kick following extended reviews by Pac-12 officials. Lincoln Riley spent a lot of time arguing with the refs, questioning whether a Spartan improperly blocked a Trojan from recovering the ball.
Eventually, the officials gave San José State the ball and Riley was left to angrily pace on the sideline.
Chevan Cordeiro passing on the drive wasn’t sharp, but he took off from the pocket on third-and-10 and managed to gain eight yards. The Spartans went for it, but USC’s defense front got to him quickly and he had to throw the ball away.
USC 56, San José State 28, 4:24 left in the fourth quarter
Spartans carve up Trojans’ defense again
USC coach Lincoln Riley suggested during preseason camp it might be unreasonable for defenses to keep opponents scoreless in this era of college football. His defense has definitely backed up that forecast.
The Trojans surrendered another touchdown, with Quali Conley rushing for 57 yards and Chevan Cordeiro passing to Nick Nash for a two-yard touchdown pass.
USC 56, San José State 28 with 5:08 left in the fourth quarter
It’s Miller Moss time
After Trojans’ defense forced the Spartans to go three-and-out, Miller Moss replaced Caleb Williams at quarterback.
Moss made the most of his minutes, connecting on a 35-yard pass before rushing for a five-yard touchdown. Denis Lynch hit the extra point and Moss celebrated with Williams on the sideline.
USC 56, San José State 21 with 6:53 left in the fourth quarter
Caleb Williams tosses his fourth touchdown pass
Caleb Williams capped USC’s next scoring drive by passing to Brenden Rice on the left sideline and he scored a 12-yard touchdown to extend the Trojans’ lead.
The drive extended into the fourth quarter, and Denis Lynch connected on aother extra point for the Trojans.
USC 49, San José State 21, 12:27 left in the fourth quarter
Trojans’ defense forces Spartans to go three-and-out
USC’s defense limited quarterback Chevan Cordeiro to two passes for a total of five yards, forcing the Spartans to go three-and-out. San José State punted as time expired in the third quarter.
USC 42, San José State 21, end of the third quarter
Zachariah Branch hits the jets, scores on kickoff return
Freshman Zachariah Branch is enjoying a dream college debut.
Branch returned a San José State kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, pausing briefly before racing up the middle, weaving to the left and then cutting back to the right beforece celebrating in the end zone.
USC 42, San José State 21, 1:34 left in the third quarter
USC defense folds again, giving up another score
San José State has exposed flaws USC is still trying to address on the defensive side of the ball. This could become the most disappointing lopsided win the Trojans have experienced in a long time.
Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro continues to confound the Trojans’ defense, keeping his head up while taking off, remaining a passing threat while hitting the gas.
USC’s defense seemed to exhale too deeply after stopping Cordeiro on a five yard open-field run. He followed it up with a quick pass to Nick Nash for a 32-yard touchdown during which the USC defense was also called for holding.
San José State hit the extra point to trim USC’s lead.
USC 35, San José State 21, 1:50 left in the second quarter
Caleb Williams-Zachariah Branch connection is strong
Zachariah Branch has emerged as one of Caleb Williams’ favorite targets.
Marshawn Lloyd caught a pass for a 12-yard gain and rushed for 16 before Williams found Branch for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Branch has four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown a long with a 12-yard run.
USC 35, San Jose State 14, 6:00 left in the third quarter
Big USC sack offsets defense’s earlier penalty
Just when it seemed USC’s defense might open the third quarter by quickly forcing San José State to punt, Max Williams was called for holding and helped extend the Spartans’ drive.
The Spartans took a timeout before facing first-and-10 at the Trojans’ 44-yard line. The Spartans managed one yard on the next two snaps before pressure closed in on quarterback Chevan Cordeiro. As he kept dropping back, Solomon Byrd pushed forward and sacked Cordeiro. The quarterback fumbled, but the Spartans recovered and lost 22 yards on the play.
San José State punted.
USC 28, San José State 14, 7:47 left in the third quarter
Caleb Williams shakes off offense’s hiccups, leads another scoring drive
Caleb Williams said the offense was far from sharp during preseason camp, working to introduce a lot of new players to the system.
The first USC drive of the third quarter seemed to live up to the description, with a mix of missed opportunities and big plays the talented lienup converted.
Williams completed a pass for a 17-yard gain and nearly delivered on a deeper bomb, but Kyron Hudson couldn’t hold onto the deep pass, dropping it as he fell at around the 10-yard line.
After another incomplete pass and a second-yard pass to Dorian Stringer, USC went for it on fourth-and-three. Mario Williams caught a 23-yard pass and Zachariah Branch added a 12-yard reception to put the Trojans in the red zone. Williams rushed for three yards and passed for eight before Austin Jones scored on a three-yard touchdown run. With the extra point, USC quickly built back up its lead.
USC 28, San José State 14, 10:45 left in the third quarter
And we’re back ...
It seems many USC fans spent halftime venting about the Trojans’ defense on social media. We’ll soon see if the defense made any adjustments during halftime.
But first, San José State kicked off to USC’s offense to start the third quarter.
USC 21, San José State 14, start of the third quarter
Spartans score fast, thwarting Trojans’ momentum
Chevan Cordeiro delivered one pass for 18 yards and another for 28 yards, scoring 14 seconds after USC’s punt.
With the extra point, the Spartans trimmed the Trojans’ lead.
Caleb Williams took a knee after the ensuiing kickoff, sending the teams to to locker room for halftime.
USC 21, San José State 14, end of second quarter
Holding penalty thwarts Trojans’ drive
USC’s offense couldn’t build on its momentum. A 10-yard holding penalty put more pressure on Caleb Williams and he was sacked for a loss of 11 yards on third-and-14 at the USC 16-yard line. Both teams burned a timeout before USC punted, giving the Spartans the ball at the Trojans’ 46-yard line and hope.
USC 21, San José State 7, 27 seconds left in the second quarter
Spartans can’t move the ball
USC’s defense has figured out whatever was frustrating the Trojans early in this game.
Dynamic San José State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has not be able to break free under pressure and the Spartans were forced into another three-and-out possession.
USC 21, San José State 7, 1:35 left in the second quarter
Trojans quickly score again
USC quarterback Caleb Williams delivered an option toss while scrambling up field and faked a handoff on another snap to keep the Trojans’ offense moving late in the second quarter.
The team capped a 10-play, 53-yard scoring drive with a more traditional handoff from Williams to Austin Jones for a two-yard touchdown and then hit the extra point.
USC players look like they’re having fun after a frustrating start and definitely have all the momentum.
USC 21, San José State 7, 3:31 left in the second quarter
USC defense swarms
After Caleb Williams’ big touchdown play, the USC defense attacked San José State and forced the Spartans to quickly go three-and-out.
USC 14, San José State 7, 8:14 left in second quarter
He is Heisman
USC started it next drive pinned near its end zone thanks to a defense holding penalty on the San José State punt.
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams used three quick passes to help the Trojans get a first down at the USC 24-yard-line and earn some breathing room.
The next play went from disaster to highlight for Williams and the Trojans.
USC fumbled the snap and the ball bounced off the field before landing Williams’ hands. Under pressure from San José State’s fast approaching defense, Williams leaned back and heaved the ball up field to Tahj Washington. He caught it at the Spartans’ 40-yard and rumbled for another 36 yards for a 76-yard touchdown play.
The Trojans hit the extra point while Williams laughed with teammates on the sideline.
USC 14, San José State 7 with 9:38 left in second quarter
Trojans rebound by forcing Spartans to go three-and-out
Kairee Robinson was pushed out of bounds for a loss of two yards, Chevan Cordeiro’s pass fell incomplete, the Spartans picked up a false state flag and the Trojans’ Eric Gentry wrapped up Cordeiro as he once again tried to fake a pass knife through the USC defense to pick up a big gain.
Facing fourth-and-13, the Spartans punted. USC, however, was called for defensive holding and the Trojans lost 10 yards on the return.
USC 7, San José State 7, 11:33 left in the second quarter
Spartans frustrate Caleb Williams
San José State’s defense played with inspired energy after the Spartans’ touchdown and irritated Caleb Williams.
USC’s MarShawn Lloyd was stuffed for no gain, Williams evaded multiple potential tackles before scrambling for a two-yard gain and Williams tossed the ball out of bounds under pressure from a quickly closing Spartans defense.
The Trojans went three-and-out, punting with 12:45 left in the second quarter.
USC 7, San José State 7, 12:45 left in the second quarter
USC defense gives up its first touchdown of the season
USC’s defense continues to bend early in this game.
Kairee Robinson rushed for 20 yards on the second play of San José State’s second drive and Chevan Cordeiro passed to Charles Ross for a gain of 13 yards. After the back-to-back first downs, Cordeiro tossed an incomplete pass before connecting with Robinson for a nine-yard gain.
The Spartans were called for delay of game and Mason Cobb dropped a receiver a loss of six yards. The Trojans stuffed the Spartans on their next carry for a one-yard loss and it seemed USC might force another punt.
Facing third-and-22 at the USC 39, Cordeiro evaded pressure and sliced through the middle of the USC defense for a gain of 28 yards. Quali Conley then carried the ball for 10 yards, with USC’s defense gathering him at the Trojans’ 1-yard line as time expired in the first quarter.
After the break between quarters, USC’s Cobb stopped the Spartans’ Robinson for a loss of a yard. Cordeiro rolled back on the next possession and threw the ball away under pressure. USC, however, was called for holding, putting the ball back on the one-yard line.
Robinson then rushed one-yard for a touchdown with 14:16 left in the second quarter. San José State hit the extra point to tie the game.
USC 7, San José State 7, 14:12 left in the second quarter
Caleb Williams leads USC to a touchdown
Caleb Williams opened the 2023 season by leading a touchdown drive.
It wasn’t perfect, with a bit of miscommunication and setbacks on some plays, but Austin Jones delivered a 37-yard gain, Williams carried the ball for another nine yards and Williams connected with Dorian Singer for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 6:34 left in the first quarter. Denis Lynch hit the extra point.
USC 7, San José State 0, 6:32 left in first quarter
USC defense bends before forcing a punt
The new Alex Grinch defense opened this game looking a bit like the old Alex Grinch defense.
San José State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro scrambled for a 12-yard gain on the second snap of the drive. He later scrambled for another five to pick up the Spartans’ second first down and extend the drive.
However, the Spartans were called for holding and USC’s defense picked up a sack as Cordeiro faced 2-and-12. Cordeiro passed to Nick Nash for a short gain before Ceyair Wright tackled Nash a few yards short of a first down, forcing the punt.
USC 0, San José State 0, 10:13 left in the first quarter
And we’re off ...
My name is Iliana Limón Romero and I’m the sports editor at the L.A. Times. I’ll be providing today’s live USC football updates, while Thuc Nhi Nguyen and Bill Plaschke report live from the Coliseum.
USC just kicked off and San José State is opening the game on offense.
It’s now or never for top USC prospects Korey Foreman, Raesjon Davis and Domani Jackson
They were three of the most touted defensive prospects in the state of California in recent years, each sold at some point as a symbol of a revival at USC.
Korey Foreman was the No. 1 recruit in the nation when he committed to the Trojans in 2021. Raesjon Davis was the fourth-best prospect from California in that same class. The following year, Domani Jackson was the top recruit in the state. During the final, frustrating months of the Clay Helton era, their decisions to sign with the Trojans were rays of hope.
The mood has brightened since at USC. But the former top prospects whose arrivals once promised a brighter future now enter a pivotal stretch. None of them has found their footing yet at USC, for one reason or another. But they still have a chance to make a major impact for a retooled Trojans defense.
USC’s offense should be playoff-worthy. This is what the defense has done to match it
It starts with the quarterback. USC’s season won’t be complete if it ends with Caleb Williams as the only star.
With the reigning Heisman winner returning for his second year at USC, the sixth-ranked Trojans are expected to soar. Just how high will depend on a defense that, after last year’s disappointing finish, has a point to prove.
While USC set school records in passing yards and passes attempted in a season, helping Williams hoist the program’s nation-leading eighth Heisman Trophy, the defense was historic in the opposite way.
The 6.53 yards allowed per play were the most given up by a USC defense during a season. The 29.2 points surrendered per game were third-worst in program history.
Jennifer Cohen’s top task? Making sure Lincoln Riley is happy — and stays in L.A.
As Jennifer Cohen laid out her initial vision for the USC athletic department Monday afternoon at her introductory news conference, dozens of Trojans coaches and staff members put aside their practice and game preparation to hear what she had to say and offer their support.
But the person who most needs to believe in Cohen for her to have a successful tenure as USC’s athletic director wasn’t in the room.
Lincoln Riley had a fine excuse to be absent. The Trojans kick off their season Saturday against San José State at the Coliseum. USC president Carol Folt said her goal was to have a new athletic director in place by that special day, and she got it done. Cohen starts Tuesday morning, taking over a department that is still recovering from more than a decade of disappointing leadership, and that’s putting it kindly.
‘He brings it all’: How freshman Zachariah Branch is shaking up USC’s receiver corps
Dennis Simmons chuckles at first. There’s not much else the USC outside receivers coach can say about a five-star prospect like Zachariah Branch.
“From a talent standpoint,” Simmons said, pausing to find the words, “he’s different.”
Simmons proceeded to tick off the boxes. Branch has strength. He can run after the catch. He has an “elite catch radius,” even in a 5-foot-10 frame.
“He brings it all,” Simmons said.
‘I was just trying to escape.’ Bear Alexander made it USC thanks to father figure
Keithian Alexander was just a few months old when his father, Keith, was arrested.
Keith Alexander already had six prior arrests. But this time, in May 2004, the punishment was especially severe: Keith was sentenced to 30 years on felony drug charges, leaving a young son to navigate life without a father.
Even still, as the years passed, Keithian kept a piece of his father close. Around Terrell, Texas, east of Dallas, folks knew Keith by a different name, one that would be passed down to his son, who would give it a different sort of notoriety. One day, every major college football coach in the country would know the name Bear Alexander.
At USC, his name alone has been a symbol of hope for a defense in desperate need of some. But “Bear” meant something entirely different in Terrell where he grew up. Out of respect for his father, who was granted early release in 2019, Keithian still carried the name proudly, never forgetting where he came from. But over the years, as “Little Bear” bounced from high school to high school, emerging as the 300-pound, blue-chip behemoth his father once hoped to become, it would serve as a constant reminder of what he was outrunning.
Inside the Pac-12 collapse: Four surprising moments that crushed the conference
As the calendar turned to December 2022, the Pac-12 Conference was in a precarious position.
Six months after USC and UCLA announced they were joining the Big Ten and the Pac-12 began its media rights negotiations early in response, the 10 remaining schools did not have a new TV deal in place. Worse than that, the Big 12 jumped the Pac-12 in line with ESPN and Fox, agreeing in October 2022 to extend its current deal through 2030-31.
But Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff was working on another way to save the 108-year-old conference. Multiple sources not authorized to speak publicly about negotiations shared the following outline of the plan and Pac-12 leaders’ response with The Times.
Publicly, the University of California Board of Regents’ threats to force UCLA to stay in the Pac-12 and avoid hurting UC Berkeley were viewed as posturing, bluffs to get attention and possibly some money from the departing Bruins.
USC’s Caleb Williams is favored to win a second Heisman. Here’s who could stop him
Caleb Williams is a big favorite to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
That’s really no surprise since the USC quarterback is less than a year removed from winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy.
But it’s also a fact that only one person has received the honor twice, and that was Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975.
So if you really think about it, the odds are actually stacked against Williams becoming the first repeat Heisman winner in nearly five decades.
12-0? Believe it. USC should sweep through its regular season
They have the best college football player in the country.
They have the best offensive football coach in the country.
They have the best offensive analyst in the country.
They play in the most fertile name, image and likeness market in the country.
There’s not one moment that should be considered too big, not one trip that should feel too far, and not one game in which they won’t be favored.
They have the star, the smarts, the savvy, the salesmanship and the schedule to own the autumn and dominate into winter.
The conversation around the 2023 USC Trojans football team’s regular season should begin with one word.
Undefeated.
USC vs. San José State preview: Lincoln Riley’s ‘good players’ ready to go
All eyes were fixed on the head coach, but Lincoln Riley kept his eyes on the field while identifying the key difference between USC’s program a year ago to now, days before his second season with the Trojans.
“More good players,” Riley said with a slight laugh, “less bad players.”
With more depth, an influx of talented transfers and a returning Heisman winner, the No. 6 Trojans enter Riley’s second season with sky-high expectations. Now, as defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has said repeatedly this summer: “You have to go do it on Saturday.”