SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Miller Moss had a record-breaking night as the Trojan’s took home the Holiday Bowl trophy in a 42-28 victory over Louisville at Petco Park on Wednesday night.
With USC sitting out over 20 players for NFL draft preparation, the transfer portal or other reasons, the Trojans were playing with a different roster than the rest of the season.
A main concern coming into this game was USC playing their third string quarterback, Miller Moss, after Caleb Williams opted out and Malaki Nelson announced his entering into the transfer portal. This was Moss’ first start for the Trojans that put him in contention for starting quarterback next season.
Moss got himself comfortable in the first quarter and settled into a rhythm. In the first half, he tied the Holiday Bowl record with four touchdown passes. He broke the record a little over 10 minutes into the 3rd quarter.
Moss ended the game with six touchdown passes on the night, throwing for 372 yards. He broke the USC record for the most touchdown passes in their first start as a Trojan. He set the record for most touchdown passes by a Trojan in a bowl game, as well as tying that same record for Pac-12 quarterbacks.
All of this was against a top-20 defense in Louisville.
“From a leadership standpoint, we have a very strong senior group that came back for this game,” said Moss. “They set the example and it was easy for me to fall in behind them.”
Will Miller Moss have a shot to take over the starting quarterback spot next year? After tonight, the answer better be “yes”. The transfer portal remains open and there are talks of USC picking up Will Howard from Kansas State.
To his teammates, they believe Miller’s won the job. Kyron Hudson, sophomore wide receiver, said that Moss’ performance tonight secured him the QB1 spot for next season.
“What he did out there is something special,” said Hudson. “For me personally, yes [he won the starting spot]. I’m super excited for Miller.”
Another offensive standout, as always, was Tahj Washington. A 29-yard touchdown pass to Washington secured his first 1000+ yard season.
Washington had seven receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns for his last game with the Trojans before he enters the NFL draft.
Opting out of this game was not an option for Washington.
“Anyone who knows Tahj knows there was a zero-percent chance he was going to sit out of this game,” said USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
The third and final offensive standout for the night was Ja’Kobi Lane. Lane had only three receptions, with two being touchdowns. After only having four receptions on the season, Lane was put to the test and executed in tonight’s game.
A pleasant surprise for the Trojans was their defensive performance.
Before tonight’s game, USC’s total defense was ranked 120th out of the 130 teams in the FBS.
Louisville hit the ground hard with 239 rushing yards, but USC’s defense halted their momentum at key points. USC kept Louisville to 6 of 12 on third-down conversions.
With that being said, the Trojans held the run game more efficiently than they had the rest of the season and their pass defense had improved. The defenders were swarming the ball and sticking the tackles, a trend that hasn’t been seen by USC’s defense this season.
Jaylin Smith, USC junior safety, recorded 12 solo tackles which earned him the defensive MVP for the game.
This defensive performance sparks hope for USC football looking ahead, especially with the hiring of a new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
One common theme among the players and coaches: this win was fun. This was USC’s first bowl game victory since 2016 and the guys loved every second.
“Honestly, in all the years and all the wins, this was as fun a win as I can remember in my time as a head coach,” said Coach Riley.
Ending the night with a firework show and an eggnog bath for Coach Riley, 2024 is looking up for USC football.