USC football has started the season 4-0 and should be feeling ecstatic based on that record. However, we know that's not the reality for this team. The Trojans can't be happy with where they are. This group is not heading into the game against Oregon with real hope that it can win. Not when Rutgers hangs 35 points on the Trojans. There are some Trojans who performed at a high level and propelled USC to a victory, but some players did not play up to the expected standard.
Here are the biggest studs and duds from the USC Trojans' fourth game of the season:
King Miller
King Miller continued to impress, and it is no longer a debate that he is the lead back. He ran for 100 yards in a second straight week. He finished the game against Rutgers with 102 yards on 16
carries and a touchdown. Miller has given the Trojans something they can lean on consistently. Miller could be the biggest X-factor for the offense heading into a tough stretch of games.
Riley Wormley
Riley Wormley was an emerging star who did not even need 5 touches to help energize the Trojans' offense. Wormley had 3 carries for 52 yards and had an explosive 27-yard run. He also found the end zone in the red zone, catching a 2-yard touchdown pass.
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt showed his reliability and his ability to make spectacular catches for another week. Dixon-Wyatt led the Trojans in targets with 77 on 5 catches. Even without Trent Mosley, the Trojans will still have a freshman phenom.
Corey Simms
No, Trent Mosley and Jayden Maiava looked to Corey Simms to deliver a big, electrifying play. Simms did not get that much of a bigger target share, but he made those targets count. He showed Maiava he can make big-time plays, and with Mosley out, he can be a great short-term replacement. Simms finished the game with 4 catches for 72 yards and a 52-yard touchdown.
Luke Wafle
Luke Wafle does need to clean up some of his bonehead penalties, but he is very disruptive constantly. Wafle finished the game with 4 tackles, but he lived in the backfield. He has yet to get his first sack, but the number of pressures he has been able to get in the first weeks of the season has kept opposing quarterbacks on their toes.
Prophet Brown
Prophet Brown made the most of his opportunities against Rutgers. He had a momentum-swinging interception that went for a 99-yard touchdown. Prophet Brown had a total of 4 tackles in the game. Brown was a breakout star for the Trojans on defense against Rutgers.
Christian Pierce
Christian Pierce was a force for the Trojans defensively. It was a defensive performance as a whole to forget, but Pierce was a huge bright spot for this game. Pierce had 11 total tackles and 2 pass deflections. Pierce also kicked off the game with a spectacular interception. Pierce will need to play just like this, and maybe even better, to take down the Oregon Ducks.
Here are some duds from Game 4:
Waymond Jordan
In each game, Jordan's production and involvement have lessened. On the other hand, King Miller has flourished. Waymond Jordan is still a very valuable player and can be a weapon in the Trojans' offense. However, the Trojans look like they are running with the hot hand with King Miller.
Deven Bryant
Bryant in this game was picked on consistently, and he was a liability in pass coverage. He played a big part in the Trojans not being able to stuff a slant across the middle. He put up some good tackle production, but he needs to improve his pass coverage, or the Trojans will be in big trouble over the next few weeks.
Jide Abasiri
This was the first game in which USC did not feel Abasiri's presence. In fairness, Abasiri got hurt during the game. It raises a big and important point: If Abasiri isn't a factor, the rest of the defensive line looks very ordinary. That is hugely concerning. It was a big reason why Rutgers' offense had the day it did. Antwan Raymond ran all over the Trojans, and that does not happen if Abasiri is healthy. USC's lack of defensive line depth is arguably the number one problem with the roster right now.
Terrell Anderson
With the absence of Trent Mosley, you would think the veteran receivers would be a factor in this game more. That was not the case. In regard to Terrell Anderson, he was a complete non-factor. It will be interesting to see if the same happens against Oregon.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football's biggest studs and duds from Week 3 vs Rutgers
