SIDELINE VIEW: USC Defeats Rice 66-14 at the Coliseum (9/3)

There was a pick-six party in the Coliseum on Saturday and that was just part of the story Erik McKinney told after the game.

USC defenders returned three interceptions for touchdowns and the Trojans posted a dominant 66-14 win against Rice in head coach Lincoln Riley’s debut.

Safety Calen Bullock and linebackers Shane Lee and Ralen Goforth recorded the defensive scores as USC tied a Pac-12 record with the three interceptions returned for scores. Safety Xamarion Gordon recorded a fourth interception for good measure.

“How do you start with anything but the three pick-sixes?” Riley asked to open his postgame press conference. “That was a really cool thing for us, defensively.”

But all the defensive highlights couldn’t completely overshadow the offensive performance.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams put together an extremely efficient game. He completed 19-of-22 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Williams added 68 yards rushing on six attempts and was everything he was advertised to be after a phenomenal freshman season at Oklahoma.

“I thought he played very much in control and very much at ease,” Riley said. “Which, I think, when quarterbacks are playing at a high level, often times it looks like that.”

Marc Kulkin also shared his Notes & Observations from the impressive season. opener for the Trojans.

**The Lincoln Riley era is starting off with the temperature on the field touching the triple-digits and the fans in the stands dealing with the upper 90s. By the end of the game, USC had 66 points on the scoreboard.

**It was hot enough that I left the tailgate early to head up to the press box. I rarely leave food on the table, so that should tell you how hot it was.

**Speaking of fans; both humankind and the cheaply built hand fans that the USC bookstore was selling for $16. To the humans who braved the muggy hot day, I say Fight On! To the bookstore, do better!

**USC brought back the Trojan Walk for the fans to enjoy and cheer on the team as they arrive at the Coliseum 2:45 minutes before kick-off. 

**It would have been better if the team buses did not show up earlier than the fans anticipated.

**WeAreSC’s good friend Brandon Sosna came home to enjoy the fruits of his labor before his NFL season starts.

**The USC Student Section, aka, “The Legion” acquitted themselves well; they were in overflow mode and were a big part of the announced 60,118 tickets distributed.

**The Spirit of Troy was given a day off to wear shorts and a t-shirt, however, the Rice “band” wore their regular gear; all 20 of them. 

**Rice is like the Stanford band and does a very poor and embarrassing rendition of it. Everyone knows the shtick with some nerd on a microphone talking the group through a choreographed skit. 

**Solomon Tuliaupupu was suited up and ready to play which makes the day a win. The day got better when Solo found himself on the field making plays early and often throughout the game. 

**Solo’s day got even better when he was credited with a sack; Out of the MANY MANY MANY plays that I could choose from and be happy about, this one made me the happiest. I chopped onions for a few seconds.

McKinney also shared his thoughts on the performance of true freshman RB Raleek Brown.

Big Things Ahead for Brown

USC has produced seven Heisman Trophy winners in its history and it’s clear Brown sees No. 8 within his potential grasp over the coming years. He didn’t hesitate to hit the Heisman pose after scoring his first touchdown.

It was an audacious statement from a player who just touched the ball for the third time in his college career. But Brown has always carried that kind of confidence in his abilities. And it’s not as if it’s the first time he’s been a standout this fall. 

USC players and coach began buzzing about Brown early in camp. Running back coach Kiel McDonald said Brown “has real juice.” 

There were more platitudes extended following one of USC’s fall camp scrimmages. This time is was fellow running back Travis Dye, who project major things for Brown.

“Raleek Brown always stands out to me,” Dye said during camp. “Catching, running, his style of run, the way he moves, it’s pretty second-to-none. I see that kid winning a lot of awards coming in the future. I really do.”