LOS ANGELES — The week zero freshman phenomenon kicked the new season into 6th gear with a special performance for the ages in a 56-28 victory over San Jose State.
The Trojans of Southern California are looking to make their first ever appearance in the college football playoff this season with reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams, leading the way.
From the jump, Williams picked up right where he left off last season quite literally. Early on in the second quarter, Williams botched the snap before picking the ball back up again and launching it down field to Tahj Washington for a 76 yard touchdown pass.
Williams went on to throw two more touchdowns in the game, totaling four touchdown passes and throwing for over 200 yards.
Despite Williams’ big performance, the star of the game was none other than true freshman Zachariah Branch from Bishop Gorman High School.
The highly recruited wideout was destined to be a future play maker but not many people expected him to make this big of an impact this quickly.
After scoring USC’s fifth touchdown of the game in the middle of the third quarter, Branch doubled down the very next time he touched the ball. Showing off his explosiveness with a 96 yard kick off return for a touchdown.
The type of ability Branch showed in his college football debut is something of a Jordan Addison, Reggie Bush, and Adoree Jackson.
Much like those players, Branch can be used in a variety of different ways in Lincoln Riley’s offense. Whether he lines him up as a wideout, slot receiver, or in the back field.
Whether Riley ends up using him in that way or not, Branch is looking like a deadly weapon in this offense and can very quickly become the number one receiver for the trojans by the end of the season.
Despite the offensive artillery that the trojans put out on full display on Saturday, the trojans defense was easily the biggest question heading into this season.
While the first half was definitely a slow start for the defense giving up two touchdowns and losing the time of possession battle, the trojan defense knew they needed come out in the second half stronger and that they did.
Although San Jose State scored an additional two touchdowns in the second half, USC looked much more dominant on the defensive side of the ball securing two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
With a big week zero win and now officially heading into week one of college football, USC looks to improve to 2-0 on the season against the Nevada Wolf Pack.
