No. 14 USC pulls away for a home win over feisty Louisiana

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where we’re dedicating the next two editions of Times of Troy to determining a range of outcomes for this make-or-break season of USC football. We’ll save the rose-colored takes for next week, when the Trojans will be on the doorstep of their season opener against San José State. But for today, as we did at this time last year, let’s consider the other, darker side of that same coin — and talk about how it could all go wrong.

Because, rest assured, there will be plenty of landmines to navigate through a gauntlet schedule that includes all three of the top three teams in opponent adjusted efficiency (FEI) from last season (Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State), plus the 14th-ranked team in the same category (Washington). Then there’s a trip to one of the hardest places to play in America (Penn State) to boot.

From behind his new desk, on the top floor of USC’s shining, new Bloom Football Performance Center, Lincoln Riley can gaze out upon a stunning view of the downtown L.A. skyline. It’s a nice perk when rounding out a $200-million facility.

And especially welcomed given that three-quarters of USC’s previous football home, the John McKay Center, could be classified as “subterranean.” But as Riley considers how far he’s come these past five years and how far USC has come in the meantime, the metaphor is just as meaningful to USC’s coach as the cityscape.

At the end of a topsy-turvy Saturday in which the Big Ten’s top contenders tumbled, Trent Mosley stood just inside USC’s 15-yard line, looking skyward.

By that point, Ohio State had blown a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead to Texas, and hours earlier, Oregon had been stunned by Oklahoma State. The path to the top of the Big Ten suddenly seemed open as ever, just as the Trojans’ tremendous freshman caught the punt and took off in search of an opening.

With his stunning start to the season, no other player at USC — and perhaps in the nation — had manufactured more hope through two games. While the conference’s other top teams spent the day licking their wounds, here, once again, was Mosley weaving joyfully through the open field and conjuring the same magic from thin air. He shook off one tackle, then another. Soon enough, he was heading to the end zone on an 86-yard punt return, and the No. 14 Trojans were on their way to a 49-30 win over Louisiana.

No. 14 USC 49, Louisiana 30, end of fourth quarter

USC started on its 17 after signaling a fair catch on the kickoff.

Shahn Alston ran for six yards before the two-minute timeout was triggered. Alston ran for three yards and another five yards.

USC then ran out the clock.

No. 14 USC 49, Louisiana 30, 2:45 left in the fourth quarter

Louisiana starts on its 25 after the touchback.

Lunch Winfield ran for no gain.

Winfield scanned the field to pass, but he was sacked for a four-yard loss. He fumbled, but Winfield recovered the ball.

On third-and-14, Winfield passed short to Russell Babineaux Jr., who gained 24 yards on the play.

Anthony Reagan Jr. ran for 19 yards, but Louisiana was called for holding.

On first-and-20 at the Louisiana 25, Winfield passed for 12 yards. Winfield then ran for 28 yards. Steven Blanco ran for six yards to the USC 19. Reagan ran for five yards and lost his helmet on the play, so he had to sit out one snap.

Winfield passed to Babineaux on the far left side of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown.

Tony Sterner hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 49, Louisiana 23, 7:35 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 25 after the kickoff.

King Miller ran for three yards, 11 yards and 29 yards.

Backup quarterback Jonas Williams passed to Corey Simms for eight yards. Waymond Jordan ran for six yards. Miller then ran for a 12-yard touchdown and Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 42, Louisiana 23, 11:43 left in the fourth quarter

Louisiana started on its 25 after the touchback.

Lunch Winfield passed for 29 yards. Anthony Reagan Jr. ran for eight yards and defensive coordinator Gary Patterson was hit on the sideline. He appeared to pop back up without any injury issues.

Winfield passed for nine yards and ran for eight, but Louisiana was called for a holding on the run play.

Winfield passed for seven yards and then ran for a 32-yard touchdown. The scoring play was reviewed and upheld.

Winfield’s pass on a two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete.

No. 14 USC 42, Louisiana 17, 14:19 left in the fourth quarter

On second-and-17 at the Louisiana 47, Waymond Jordan ran three yards. Jayden Maiava connected with Zacharyus Williams for a 44-yard touchdown. Louisiana was called for a hands to the face penalty that will be assessed on the ensuing kickoff.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 35, Louisiana 17, end of third quarter

USC started on its 40 after the punt.

Jayden Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams behind the line of scrimmage and he was dropped for a seven-yard loss as time expired in the third quarter.

No. 14 USC 35, Louisiana 17, 42 seconds left in the third quarter

Louisiana started on its 16-yard line after the punt return.

Lunch Winfield tossed an incomplete pass. Winfield passed to Anthony Reagan Jr. for one yard. On third-and-nine, Winfield pass out of bounds under pressure.

Louisiana punted and Terrell Anderson returned it 13 yards to the Raging Cajuns’ 40.

No. 14 USC 35, Louisiana 17, 1:40 left in the third quarter

Riley Wormley returned the kickoff nine yards, but USC was called for holding on the return.

USC started on its 17.

King Miller ran for no gain. Miller then ran for four yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Corey Simms for 11 yards and the first down.

Wormley ran for four yards.

Maiava passed an incomplete pass intended for Carson Tabaracci and another incomplete pass intended for Simms.

USC punted and Louisiana returned it two yards to its 16 yards.

No. 14 USC 35, Louisiana 17, 4:07 left in the third quarter

Louisiana started on its 19 after a kickoff return.

Lunch Winfield passed for 27 yards. Anthony Reagan Jr. ran for one yard. Winfield tossed an incomplete pass. Winfield appeared ran for 10 yards and USC was called for a face mask penalty on the play, adding 15 yards to the gain.

On first down on the USC 28, Reagan ran for two yards. Winfield passed for seven yards. On third-and-nine at the USC 19, Winfield tossed an incomplete pass.

Tony Sterner missed the 33-yard field goal, but USC was called for roughing the kicker and extended the Louisiana drive.

Winfield ran for seven yards to the USC 1. Winfield then ran for a one-yard touchdown.

Tony Sterner hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 35, Louisiana 10, 9:55 left in the third quarter

USC started on the Louisiana 41 after the deflected punt.

Jayden Maiava passed to Carson Tabaracci for six yards. King Milelr ran for one yard. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Tron Baker.

On fourth-and-three, Maiava passed to Tucker Ascraft in traffic for 12 yards.

Riley Wormley ran for one yard. Wormley ran again for no gain. Maiava passed to freshman Trent Mosely, who stretched out to pull in the ball under pressure from a defensive back and scored a 21-yard touchdown.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 28, Louisiana 10, 13:01 left in the third quarter

Louisiana started on its 25 after a kickoff return.

Steven Blanco ran for one yard. Winfield Lunch tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-nine, Winfield ran for first down but Louisiana was called for holding and the gain was erased. On third-and-19, Winfield passed for seven yards.

USC deflected the punt and Corey Simms returned it the Louisiana 41.

No. 14 USC 28, Louisiana 10, end of second quarter

Louisiana started on its 25 after a kickoff return.

JJ Garner fan for two yards and USC called timeout. Lunch Winfield ran for one yard and USC called another timeout to stop the clock at 1:14. Lunch ran for no gain.

On fourth-and-seven at the Louisiana 28 with 1:03 left in the second quarter, the Raging Cajuns called timeout.

Louisiana punted to the USC 31, where Trent Mosley took a fair catch with 16 seconds left.

Jayden Maiava passed to Riley Wormely for 12 yards.

Maiava spiked the football. He then tossed an incomplete pass out of bounds.

On third-and-10 at the USC 43 with four seconds left, USC took a knee to run out the clock.

No. 14 USC 28, Louisiana 10, 1:43 left in the second quarter

Louisiana started on its 25 after the touchback.

JJ Garner ran for one yard. Lunch Winfield pass for 14 yards. Gardner ran for one yard to the Louisiana 41 and the two-minute timeout was triggered.

Louisiana was called for a false start. Winfied ran for nine yards. USC called timeout with 1:50 left. On third-and-five, Winfield tossed a pass broken up and nearly intercepted by Jontez Williams.

Louisiana punted to the USC 14 and Trent Mosley dodged four tackles while returning it 86 yards for a touchdown. It was another impressive play by the exceptional freshman receiver.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 21, Louisiana 10, 3:27 left in the second quarter

USC started on the 25 after the Louisiana kickoff.

King Miller ran for a loss of six yards. Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Miller. Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for 12 yards. On fourth-and-four at the USC 31, Miller ran for 13 yards.

Maiava tossed an incomplete pass, but USC was called for holding.

On first-and-20 at the Louisiana 46, Waymond Jordan ran for two yards. Jordan then ran for 15 yards and another 10 to get USC a first down.

USC immediately dug another hole, getting called for a false start. On first-and-15 at the Louisiana 44, Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. On second-and-15, Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for 16 yards. Bowman shook off a hard hit earlier in the game and is back making an impact.

Miller ran for nine yards. Maiava’s pass to the end zone was tipped by Louisiana, but Dixon-Wyatt still pulled the ball in for a 19-yard touchdown.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 14, Louisiana 10, 9:22 left in the second quarter

Louisiana started on its 25 after the USC touchback.

JJ Garner ran for 18 yards. Garner ran for four yards. Lunch Winfield passed for eight yards. Anthony Reagan Jr. ran for six yards and USC was called for a face mask penalty before Reagan ran for one more yard to the USC 23.

On second-and-nine, Louisiana was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Winfield passed to Brock Chappell for 37 yards. Steven Blanco ran for a one-yard touchdown and Louisiana hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 14, Louisiana 3, 12:36 left in the second quarter

USC faced second-and-seven at the Louisiana 21.

Trent Mosley ran for 18 yards, fumbled at the end of the play and recovered the ball, but USC was called for holding on the play.

On second-and-nine, Waymond Jordan ran for two yards. On third-and-seven, Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 12 yards. Jordan ran for no gain. Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for a nine-yard touchdown. Bowman took a big hit from behind after catching the ball and was treated on the field after the play. He later returned to the game.

USC continues to line up as though it was going for a two-point conversion, then shifted to extra point formation. Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 7, Louisiana 3, end of first quarter

USC started on its 23 after the punt.

Jayden Maiava faked a handoff and passed to Riley Wormley for six yards. Maiava passed to Mark Bownman for 12 yards. King Miller ran for five yards. On second-and-five at the USC 46, Tanook Hines was called for a false start.

Maiava passed to Bowman for 35 yards. Miller ran for three yards to the Louisiana 21 as time expired in the first quarter.

No. 14 USC 7, Louisiana 3, 2:59 left in the first quarter

Louisiana started on its 25 after the touchback.

Steven Blank ran for a one-yard loss and another one-yard loss. Lunch Winfield passed to Kristion Brooks for 11 yards, but the play was reviewed. The play was upheld.

On fourth-and one on the Louisiana 34, the Raging Cajuns punted and the ball went out of bounds at the USC 23.

No. 14 USC 7, Louisiana 3, 5:01 left in the first quarter

Boobie Feaster returned the Louisiana kickoff to the USC 21-yard line.

Jayden Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 12 yards. King Miller ran for two yards, seven yards and 13 yards on three consecutive carries.

Shahn Alston ran for 15 yards,and five yards before Maiava passed to Riley Wormley for six yards. Maiava then passed to Mark Bowman for seven yards and Waymond Jordan for five yards.

Jordan ran for two yards and Maiava tossed an incomplete pass before Maiava connected with Bowman for a five-yard touchdown.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

Louisiana 3, No. 14 USC 0, 11:23 left in the first quarter

USC started on its 23 after Boobie Feaster returned the Louisiana kickoff 20 yards.

King Miller ran for three yards and another seven yards. Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Tanook Hines. On second-and-10, Maiava’s pass was intercepted by Avery Demery and returned to the USC 39.

Lunch Winfield passed for four yards, ran for two yards and ran for another three yards. On fourth-and-one at the USC 30, Tony Sterner hit a 47-yard field goal.

No. 14 USC 0, Louisiana 0, 15:00 left in the first quarter

USC won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

Playing center is a lot different than playing guard or tackle, according to new USC starting center Tobias Raymond.

“It kind of felt like I was a freshman all over when I was playing center,” Raymond said Aug. 25 ahead of his first start at center against San José State.

Raymond would know: He had started games and played significant time at both tackle and guard during his first three seasons with the Trojans before his recent move.

Beyond hiking the football and the technical specifics, the center is often seen as the leader of the offensive line and, according to Raymond, has to be more vocal than other linemen by calling out plays and reads.

Since he was a boy, Trent Mosley was taught to live by the Five Ps: Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

The Five Ps weren’t so much a lesson in the Mosley household as “a lifestyle,” father Emmett Mosley explains. He can’t recall when or from whom he first heard the phrase, but ever since, the Five Ps have stuck with him. To the point that he and his wife, Cindy, made it a core tenet of their family. All four Mosley kids — their daughter, Jalyn, and three boys, Emmett Jr., Trent and Grant — were brought up on the principle that preparation was paramount.

So then, no one in the Mosley family was surprised to see Trent sprinting wide open in the second quarter last Friday night at the Coliseum, well on his way to another impressive performance in his second college game. Just like no one at USC is batting an eye at the freshman’s staggering start, which has him leading the nation with three touchdown catches and the Big Ten with 222 receiving yards.

The sun hadn’t even set yet over the Coliseum, and already Trent Mosley had broken free, with nary a defender within 15 yards on either side.

It was the start of the second quarter on Friday night, when USC quarterback Jayden Maiava spotted his budding star freshman soaring on a slot post through the wide-open center of the field. And a split-second later the crowd saw it, too — their quiet rumbles rising to a thrilling roar, as if they knew what was coming next.

One ankle-twisting stutter-step is all it took for the true freshman to take off, once again. And it didn’t take much after that for USC to stick a fork in Fresno State.

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where it turns out hiring a Hall of Fame coach as your defensive coordinator was a pretty sensible strategy!

But before we delve into USC’s extraordinary defensive effort against Fresno State, a note about this newsletter: Starting Sept. 21, Times of Troy will be available to Los Angeles Times subscribers only. A free press isn’t free, and we depend on our readers’ support to do the important stories that make a difference. If you’re already a subscriber, nothing will change. If you’re not, trust me, you won’t want to miss out on what we have planned for this make-or-break season of USC football. You can subscribe to The Times by clicking here.