LOS ANGELES — USC running back Woody Marks rushed for 103 yards and one touchdown en route to a USC Trojans 48-0 victory Saturday against Utah State at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
USC’s rush attack was present all night, totaling 248 yards on the ground. Marks led the team in rushing, yet Quinten Joyner had his piece of the pie in the ground game with 84 yards and two touchdowns.
“That was the big thing offensively; we wanted to be cleaner in the run game,” coach Lincoln Riley said.
The Trojans jumped out to a 17-0 lead to start the second quarter, with touchdowns from Joyner and Marks. Riley’s emphasis on establishing the run game was apparent, getting Marks and Joyner a handful of touches to start.
The run game flourished thanks to a strong performance from the Trojans' offensive line, which created large running lanes all night for Marks and company.
“I applaud the [offensive line] for giving us the chance to hit the holes and make space,” Marks said. “Hats off to the offensive line.”
The Trojans' early dominance on the ground let Miller Moss have a quiet, short night. Getting pulled in the third quarter, Moss finished with 229 passing yards and one touchdown.
Junior tight end Lake McRee ended with a team-high 81 receiving yards.
“(Tight end) room is probably a more talented room than we have had in our first couple of years. Lake has certainly led the charge and played some pretty good ball for us,” Riley said.
Transfer quarterback Jayden Maiava saw his first action as a Trojan, throwing for 66 yards and running in a 7-yard touchdown.
“Honestly, it was in the moment. Seeing a lot of grass, I took my chance and go score,” Maiava said.
Jayden Maiava runs in for his first touchdown as a Trojan.
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) September 8, 2024
He looked like Caleb Williams out there 👀🚨@SportingTrib #USC #FightOn pic.twitter.com/LI9m02563X
USC’s offense scored points in the blowout win, yet the Trojans' defense produced the team’s first shutout since 2011.
“I think it's a good visualization of our defense and how much work we put in,” linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold said. “The standard is the standard on our side of the ball.”
The Trojans got their first two sacks of the season and one interception, with junior Eric Gentry and sophomore Devan Thompkins getting to quarterback Bryson Barnes once. USC finished with seven tackles for loss.
Gentry continued his hot start to the 2024 campaign, finishing with a team-high seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss Saturday.
“(Gentry) has taken to our new defensive staff, scheme, and teammates very well,” Riley said.
The Aggies found themselves running into the brick wall that was the Trojan's defense all night. Utah State was held to 2-for-11 on 3rd down conversions, with a 0-for-2 success rate on fourth down.
Utah State’s struggles in late downs came from D’Anton Lynn’s disguised blitz packages, which hurried Barnes into incompletions and sacks. The Trojans held the Aggies to 200 total pass yards.
“Whatever (Lynn) calls, we go out there and execute to our best abilities, and I think that's the energy and trust he brought us,” Arnold said. “This is definitely the most fun I have had playing football in a long time.”
Next, a bye week awaits for the Trojans in Week 3.