Calen Bullock pick-six sign of more big plays to come at USC, Lincoln Riley says

It’s hard to ask for a better debut than the one new coach Lincoln Riley enjoyed at USC this weekend in a 66-14 win over Rice, which included stellar performances in all three phases of the game. Riley, known for his offensive acumen, was treated by his defense to three interceptions returned for touchdowns, including a 93-yard Calen Bullock pick-six.

Bullock’s long snag and score came after he stopped a sure touchdown just moments earlier in the game when he chased down Rice running back Cameron Montgomery from behind on a 55-yard scamper past the secondary.

The sophomore safety ended the threat for good after picking off a pass that went off the hands of a Rice receiver on fourth-and-2, making a single cut inside of Owls quarterback Wiley Green to race the length of the field to pay dirt.

Calen Bullock, big plays go hand in hand

While USC was always going to be a heavy favorite against Rice, Bullock’s strong sequence in the second half helped keep things from tightening considerably.

The Trojans sported a 21-7 lead nearly midway through the second half before Montgomery broke through the defense on a long run up the middle. As he bounced it out to the right side and found acres of green grass in front of him, Montgomery surely thought he was on his way to cut the deficit to one score.

Bullock had other plans. He tracked Montgomery, caught him and brought him down at the USC 20-yard line.

“Yeah I mean obviously happy that he got him, but I think more happy that the defense recognized that as an opportunity to get off the field, and we did,” Riley said of the drive that ultimately ended with the Calen Bullock pick-six. “We were able to force a third down and then obviously make the big play on third down. Awesome to make the play. We expect it. It was phenomenal. But to capitalize on it was huge for us.”

Big plays for Bullock have become the norm in his short time so far at USC. After enrolling in the spring of 2021 after graduating high school a semester early, he immediately worked his way into playing time.

He played multiple spots in the secondary as a true freshman, earning six starts and eventually FWAA Freshman All-American honors for his performance. He finished his freshman campaign with 39 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections.

In the season opener against Rice, Bullock finished with six tackles and the 93-yard pick-six.

Riley expects more big plays from Bullock in the future.

“No question. He’s a playmaker,” Riley said. “He’s there all the time. He’s always around the ball, extremely active, so very proud of him and the way that he’s played. No shock to see him go in and make a lot of big plays.”