No. 11 USC seeks to shore up protection even as QB Miller Moss handles hits

Updated Oct. 2, 2024 12:26 p.m. ET

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Miller Moss is earning the respect of his Southern California teammates, one hit at a time.

Moss has been sacked five times and taken plenty more big hits in two conference games for the No. 11 Trojans, something they would like to cut down on at Minnesota on Saturday.

“I mean, I’m sure you’d love to leave any game with a quarterback not taking any hits, but that’s just not always the reality,” coach Lincoln Riley said. “To play two good teams, two good defensive teams, it’s going to happen. Obviously, it’s something we want to continue to clean up, but everybody’s involved in it.”

Inexperience on the offensive line has been a main reason for much of the abuse Miller has been taking. USC (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten) is starting redshirt freshman Elijah Paige at left tackle and rotating redshirt freshman Amos Talalele and sophomore Alani Noa at right guard.

All three youngsters struggled badly in a 27-24 loss at Michigan against a veteran defensive front that's loaded with NFL prospects. They were better against Wisconsin as the game went on, where USC rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit for a 38-21 win.

Paige was benched in the second half against the Wolverines but regained his spot against the Badgers, where the 6-foot-7, 320-pounder was much improved.

“I think he’s responded the right way, and he’ll continue to get better and he’ll be better for it in the long run,” Moss said.

Talalele got the start against Wisconsin and rotated with Noa evenly until the fourth quarter, when Noa took every snap.

Riley indicated both Talalele and Noa would continue to split time against the Golden Gophers (2-3, 0-2).

“They both showed us enough that we want to keep repping them,” Riley said. “It’s a long year, it’s a physical schedule that we’re playing. Like, we’re gonna need ’em both either way.”

Regardless of who lines up there, the offensive line will get the majority of the blame for the pressure a quarterback faces, even if they are not truly at fault. Riley noted there are instances where Moss or the skill players around him are responsible.

“Schematically, we’re involved in it,” Riley said. “Miller’s involved in it, receivers, the backs, the tight ends, the O-line, obviously everybody.”

There are also moments where Moss takes a hit for the greater good. On a third down at Wisconsin’s 8-yard line late in the third quarter, the Badgers brought a six-man pressure when USC had five receivers out wide to run routes, leaving one defender unaccounted for by the offensive line.

Moss knew what was coming but still threw a slant under duress to Duce Robinson for the go-ahead touchdown.

“I mean, that’s a pretty specific situation,” Moss said. “We’ve repped that a ton. I thought we were prepared for that situation.”

The biggest blow Moss took against Wisconsin was of his own making, keeping the ball on fourth down and spinning and falling into the end zone off a tackle attempt by safety Preston Zachman in the fourth quarter.

Moss landed hard on his back and was evaluated for an injury before quickly returning to the game for one last series. The consensus reaction to that play was “don’t be an idiot,” he said, including from his mother.

“She’d probably prefer that I don’t do that, but you gotta do what you gotta do,” Moss added.

That attitude, and the toughness needed to execute it, is exactly why Moss is now a valued presence for these scrappier Trojans.

“Miller’s a damn good quarterback, man,” Robinson said. “Miller’s a damn good leader. He’s everything you want in a quarterback.”

On defense, Riley said he expects linebacker Raesjon Davis, who will redshirt this season, to remain with the team. The senior had mostly played on special teams through four games.

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