USC freshman Duce Robinson scores first collegiate TD on 71-yard catch and run
USC true freshman Duce Robinson made his presence on the college stage felt on Saturday night. The Trojans already had a victory well in hand over Nevada when Robinson made what will likely be the first of many plays.
With backup quarterback Miller Moss in and the Trojans leading, 59-14, in the fourth quarter, Robinson ran a simple intermediate crossing route. Coming wide open across the middle of the field, Miller hit him for a chunk gain.
Then Robinson, listed as a wide receiver but with a nearly tight end build at 6-6, 225 pounds, did the rest, high step and running away from defenders for a 71-yard touchdown, his first at USC.
A few minutes later, the Trojans finished off the 66-14 win. Robinson finished with just the one catch, taking his totals through two games to 4 catches for 115 yards and a score.
The young offensive weapons have starred for USC
The Zachariah Branch show continued for USC as the freshman wideout and special teams weapon opened up the scoring for the Trojans on Saturday against Nevada. And it came with an assist from a deft Caleb Williams throw into the back of the end zone.
On the opening drive fo the game for USC, the Trojans got to the edge of the red zone. Branch lined up to the offensive left and and ran a simple corner route.
But a simple corner route for Branch was enough to snap off his defender and leave a comfortable window for Williams to drop a throw into.
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Nevada quickly responded, leveling the score at 7-7 before USC marched back and retook the lead with a MarShawn Lloyd rushing score.
Branch is already carving out a major role for the Trojans both on special teams and as a receiver. He accounted for 232 total yards from scrimmage in the season opener for USC in Week 0. The USC freshman put together a breakout performance against San Jose State, headlined by a 96-yard kick return back for a touchdown to help lead the offense.
After the game, Branch heard from plenty of people about his performance. But one message stood out above the rest.
“I look up to Odell Beckham. He actually reached out to me,” Branch said. “That was pretty cool for me. I was, like, mind blown about that one.”
Branch had a huge day to help USC past San Jose State in the 56-28 victory to open the 2023 season. In addition to his kick return, he added four receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. It was quite the debut for the former Five Star Plus+ recruit.