USC · Big TenUSC carries late-down problems into Oregon game
The unbeaten Trojans face No. 20 Oregon on Sept. 26 with defensive and availability questions at key positions.
SEP 24, 2026
Rutgers third-down conversions against USC
Rutgers fourth-down conversions against USC
Passing yards USC allowed Rutgers
01 · The NewsLate-Down Problems
USC’s 42-35 win at Rutgers on Saturday left the unbeaten Trojans with a 4-0 record — and a late-down defensive problem to solve before No. 20 Oregon visits Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Rutgers converted 6 of 11 third downs and 3 of 4 fourth downs against USC, while the Trojans allowed 292 passing yards. Oregon brings quarterback Dante Moore to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where USC will try to protect its College Football Playoff path and establish itself as a serious Big Ten contender.
The Trojans also may be shorthanded at receiver, safety and defensive tackle. Freshman receiver Trent Mosley was doubtful on USC’s initial availability report, safety Alex Graham and defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart were questionable, and receiver Corey Simms was out. Cornerback Jontez Williams was not listed.
“As a secondary, we've got to be a little bit tighter in those situations. We've got to make those competitive plays,” coach Lincoln Riley said Tuesday. “We have a good defensive line. We have a group that can rush the passer. We've got to make guys hold onto that ball, make our pass rush work and make those plays when we get to the point of attack.”
02 · The StakesWhy This One Matters
USC has not beaten Oregon in two meetings under Riley and has won two of the teams’ last 10 meetings. The latest meeting, a 42-27 Oregon win last season, all but ended the Trojans’ playoff hopes after the teams were tied 14-14 early in the second quarter. Oregon’s 85-yard punt return broke that tie and changed the game. Another loss would give USC an early conference defeat before its Oct. 3 home game against Washington. A win would strengthen the Trojans’ case in the Big Ten and directly challenge Josh Pate’s preseason bracket, which placed Oregon No. 6 in the College Football Playoff field. Oregon is 2-1 after losing 39-31 at Oklahoma State on Sept. 12. USC’s own loss column is still empty, but the Rutgers game exposed the sort of possession-down problem that can turn a close matchup against the Ducks.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
Special teams have already shaped both teams’ recent history. Oregon’s punt return last season came after USC’s offense stalled, and Rutgers kept its game against the Trojans close with a 44-yard fake punt on fourth-and-21. The play sparked a touchdown drive that cut USC’s lead to three points before halftime.
“The special teams play last year (against Oregon) really turned the game. The one the other day did too,” Riley said. “In these big games, when you've got two really good teams going at it, it always feels like there's a couple of just really, really impactful special teams plays.”
USC cannot give Oregon that kind of extra possession and expect its defensive problems to stay contained.
“Great defenses find a way to get off the field on third and fourth down.”
Prophet Brown04 · The PersonnelNext Man Up
Mosley’s status carries the biggest offensive question. He missed the Rutgers game after posting 13 catches, 255 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns and a punt-return touchdown in USC’s first three games. Simms, another important receiver, was listed out after recording at least two catches in each of the Trojans’ first four games and scoring against Rutgers. The defensive questions are concentrated in the same area Rutgers stressed. Graham was questionable after appearing to deal with an injury Saturday. Williams was not on the initial report after telling reporters Tuesday he was ready to play. Stewart was questionable after missing USC’s first four games with a foot injury; he dressed against Louisiana on Sept. 12, but the Trojans pulled him back after warmups. Riley said Tuesday that Stewart was getting better each week. USC’s availability report is updated through Saturday, so the final decisions on Graham, Mosley and Stewart — and Williams’ continued availability — remain important before the Oregon game.
05 · The ChessboardWhat the Coaches Can Actually Change
USC’s defensive front has to turn pressure into stops. That task becomes more urgent against Oregon. USC’s secondary must hold up long enough for the pass rush to affect Moore, particularly if Graham or Williams cannot play. Brown’s pick-six helped USC survive Rutgers, but the Trojans cannot make takeaways the answer to every extended drive. Prophet Brown, whose interception return helped preserve the win, said the standard plainly: “Great defenses find a way to get off the field on third and fourth down.”
06 · The ThesisThe Pate State Read
USC has scored at least 39 points in each of its four wins, but Rutgers showed where Oregon can press the Trojans: third down, fourth down, the secondary and punt situations. Mosley’s possible absence would also remove one of USC’s most explosive players from a game in which the defense may need every possession it can get. The Trojans’ playoff case and their recent control problem against Oregon meet in the same test: stop giving the Ducks extra chances and finish the downs that decide drives.
07 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can USC get off the field?
Watch whether the Trojans improve on Rutgers’ 6-of-11 third-down and 3-of-4 fourth-down conversion rate.
Who is available at receiver?
Mosley was doubtful and Simms was out on the initial report; the final availability decisions will shape USC’s offensive options.
Can the front affect Dante Moore?
USC’s secondary must hold up long enough for the pass rush to affect Moore, particularly if Graham or Williams cannot play.