LOS ANGELES — USC's steady improvements were noticeable in their upset win against No. 18 LSU, but with only one week under the Trojans' belt, work still needs to be done.
“The good that was good, we own it, but there was a lot that has to get better. We do not hesitate to show the guys that and show them where they have to get better,” coach Lincoln Riley said.
Under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium and a ruckus LSU fan section, quarterback Miller Moss stayed composed in the big moments and displayed intelligent decision-making throughout the game. Moss spread the wealth, hitting ten different receivers for 378 total passing yards in Sunday's victory, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
But in front Moss’s success was the mighty effort from the Trojans' offensive line against a highly regarded LSU Tiger defensive front.
“It's got the makings of a really good group," Riley said. "It was a challenging game against a talented group on the other side.
“We held our own, but we made a few too many mistakes. They are going to have to get corrected.”
To start with good news, the offensive line kept Moss upright for most of the game. The Trojans' offensive line held LSU to only two sacks despite facing a Tigers' defensive line, which featured poetical first-round pick linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.
With three position changes on the line—redshirt freshman Elijah Paige starting at left tackle, sophomore Alani Noa at right guard, and veteran lineman Jonah Monheim sliding to center—the newly assembled group showed cohesiveness throughout the game. In 37 dropbacks from Moss Sunday, the Tigers only generated a 16% pressure rate versus the Trojans.
“I am proud of how we competed and responded throughout the night,” Monheim said. “Kind of like I said personally, the same goes for our unit; there is plenty to get better at both in the run and passing games.”
Specifically, Monhiem’s transition from left tackle to center had its learning pains, but as the night went on, the redshirt senior became more comfortable with the atmosphere.
“[The loud atmosphere] makes things a bit more complicated, but at the end of the day, we all have to hone in on communication,” Monheim said.
The Trojans must prepare for the loud atmospheres from opposing fans as USC travels to Michigan at the Big House in just three weeks. However, the offensive line's immediate improvements need to come from the ground game.
Trojans' combination of running back Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner had their glimpses, yet struggled to find consistency in Sunday's victory. As a duo, they combined for 80 rush yards on 20 carries. While the running backs are responsible for hitting the lanes, it is the offensive line’s job to create the holes.
“We saw those glimpses when we were blocking everything right, and things are getting done for our backs,” Monheim said. “When we weren’t, it was usually the little things, whether steps, hands, communication pre-snap or post-snap. Again, it comes down to cleaning those things up and learning from them.”
Accountability is present in Trojan's offensive line room, where the opportunity to grow as individuals and as a unit is realized. The early bumps in the road are good learning opportunities for a group with college football aspirations.