Live updates from USC Trojans spring game

The USC Trojans are set to close their 2024 spring ball with the annual spring game in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.

WeAreSC is in attendance and will provide running updates and commentary throughout the day.

According to head coach Lincoln Riley, the Trojans will play one half of football.

Scoring Rules

The USC defense will start the game leading 24-0.

USC Defensive Scoring
3 points for a turnover
3 points for a fourth-down stop
3 points for a missed field goal
7 points for a defensive touchdown
7 points for a safety

USC Offensive Scoring
3 points for a field goal
6 points for a touchdown
1 point for a PAT

Injury updates

Defensive tackle Bear Alexander will miss the spring game as he battles a hamstring issue this spring. Defensive end Solomon Tuliaupupu, tight end Carson Tabaracci and offensive lineman Micah Banuelos are out.

Cornerback John Humphrey will miss the game after suffering an injury late this spring. Riley said he will be recovered in time for fall camp. Safety Jaylin Smith was injured early in spring and missed most of it. He, too, will sit this one out. With two expected starters out in the secondary, that group will be an interesting one to watch throughout the day.

Safety Zion Branch, tight end Lake McRee and offensive lineman Gino Quinones have been unavailable all spring as they recover from 2023 season-ending injuries.

Starting Lineups

Offense

QB Miller Moss
RB Woody Marks
WR Duce Robinson
WR Kyron Hudson
WR Makai Lemon
WR Zachariah Branch
LT Elijah Paige
LG Emmanuel Pregnon
C Jonah Monheim
RG Alani Noa
RT Mason Murphy

Defense

DE Jamil Muhammad
DT Kobe Pepe
DT Nate Clifton
DE Anthony Lucas
LB Mason Cobb
LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
CB Jacobe Covington
CB DeCarlos Nicholson
NB Prophet Brown
S Akili Arnold
S Kamari Ramsey

Recruits/Players in attendance

Fall enrollees in the 2024 class are here in tight end Walter Matthews, and offensive linemen Makai Saina and Hayden Treter.

Defensive end Jahkeem Stewart, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class is in attendance for an unofficial visit.

First Quarter

* Running back Woody Marks gets involved early with a nice catch and run out of the backfield. He’s the active NCAA leader in receptions by a running back. Expect him to be involved quite a bit there this season.

* DeCarlos Nicholson bats down a long third-down pass using every bit of that 6-foot-3 frame.

* Ja’Kobi Lane makes a nice one-handed grab down the middle of the field on a ball thrown a bit behind him by Jayden Maiava. Everything since the Holiday Bowl has pointed to Lane having a huge second season for the Trojans.

* Nicholson scores three points for the defense with an interception. Good physical play down the sideline against Lane and then gets his head turned to come up with the pick.

* Back-to-back picks by the USC defense. True freshman Marcelles Williams grabs one off Moss, who was trying to get it over his head to Lane. Williams has been outstanding this spring as an early enrollee. It’s 30-0 USC defense.

* Another interception for the Trojans’ defense as Maliki Crawford steps in front of a Jake Jensen pass.

* Maiava hits Makai Lemon in the endzone for the first score of the day for the USC offense.

* True freshman early enrollee defensive end Kameryn Fountain with three standout plays in a span of four snaps for the defense, including a third-down stop, sack and chasing down a running back from the backside.

* True freshman running back Bryan Jackson runs through a tackle and into the endzone. The first half ends with the defense leading 33-14.

* Marks showing flashes of his running ability with a big gain.

* Strong play in coverage by Jacobe Covington to knock a ball away from Hudson. It bounces to Prophet Brown and he returns the interception 102 yards for a touchdown.

* Solid grab by Peterson coming out of the backfield on a ball thrown behind him. Good agility in the adjustment from the big back.

* Moss floats a pass to Jackson out of the backfield for the freshman’s second touchdown of the day.

* Walk-on Garrett Pomerantz knocks away an attempted reverse and recovers to give the defense another three points.

* Peterson caps the game with a touchdown on the ground. The USC defense wins 43-28.

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