USC Offensive Line Named to Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll
The Joe Moore Award is given annually to the best offensive line in college football. The Foundation for Teammwork, which chooses the winner, named the USC Trojans among 22 offensive line units on their Midseason Honor Roll.
USC is one of three Pac-12 programs on the list, along with Oregon and UCLA.
“USC’s offensive line has been transformed and revitalized under new leadership this season,” the Joe Moore Award Voting Committee said in a press release. “They are turning the corner. This group has been able to open up running lanes using a variety of schemes with multiple running backs.”
Lincoln Riley’s Oklahoma offensive line won the Joe Moore Award following the 2018 season and the committee sees some similarities here.
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“Riley’s offenses always have a toughness to them, like the 2018 unit that won it [the Joe Moore Award],” the committee said. “Willing to get dirty. Finally have some guys looking for work and keep themselves in front of defenders in passing situations. They are outstanding when asked to block in the play-action pass game.”
Challenges and Opportunities Still to Come
USC ranks No. 20 overall in total offense, gaining 475.3 yards per game. The Trojans are averaging 5.4 yards per rushing attempt, which is a full yard more than USC averaged last season.
Brett Neilon is having a terrific season at center and both Andrew Vorhees and Justin Dedich are ranked by PFF among the best offensive guards in the country this season. USC will need to shore up some holes Utah found this past weekend. The Utes tallied four sacks against the Trojans.
USC should have opportunities to make offensive statements against Arizona and Colorado in two of its next three games. But Cal will provide something of a challenge on that side of the ball. The true tests will then come to close the regular season, against UCLA and Notre Dame.
