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/ FootballUSC Defense Defeats Offense 42-34 in 2023 Spring Football Game
April 15, 2023 | Football
LOS ANGELES--Defensive back Jacobe Covington closed out the 2023 USC Spring Game with an interception on the last play of the game which secured the 42-34 victory for the Trojan defense in Lincoln Riley's second spring football game at USC on Saturday (April 15).Â
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"A really, really fun and competitive day," said Riley. "I told the team that was a very fitting end to our spring because I would say that in a lot of ways, that's kind of what our spring has looked like in terms of the kind of competition - down to the wire."
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"Our mentality this entire spring has been to take the standard that was established in year one and really go do something with it, and really try to push it to another level. We've raised the standards for our guys in every part of the program to help achieve that, and I think by and large these guys have done a good job attacking that."
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At halftime, Robert Whalen, Executive Director of the Heisman Trust, presented Caleb Williams with USC's copy of the Heisman Trophy in front of the crowd of 25,213 fans. Williams was joined by his parents and members of the 2022 USC football team.Â
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Quarterback Caleb Williams played just the first drive of the game and went 2-of-2 throwing a touchdown pass to Mario Williams to light up the Coliseum with Coach Riley's electric brand of offense.Â
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Quarterback Miller Moss went 9-of-17 for 94 yards, Jake Jensen went 5-of-6 for 52 yards and Malachi Nelson, in his Coliseum debut, went 12-of-20 for 127 yards. Â
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Freshman running back A'Marion Peterson had a 7-yard scoring run in the second half. He ended up with 41 yards on 4 carries. Running back Matt Colombo also scored in the second half on a 1-yard rush. Freshman running back Quinten Joyner led the ground attack with 6 carries for 92 yards.Â
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USC's other offensive points in the scrimmage that was televised live on Pac-12 Network came on two field goals by placekicker Denis Lynch (45 and 43 yards).Â
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Wide receiver Zachariah Branch had 8 receptions for 94 yards, Raleek Brown had 4 catches for 69 yards and Mario Williams had 3 catches for 19 yards and 1 TD. Receivers Danny Ryan and Kyron Hudson each collected 2 catches while Brenden Rice, MarShawn Lloyd, Michael Jackson III, Darwin Barlow, Tahj Washington, Matt Colombo, Dorian Singer and Josiah Zamora each tallied 1 reception.
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In the game's scoring system, the Trojan defense began with a 24-0 lead and was able to add 3 points for turnovers, fourth down stops and missed field goals and 7 points for defensive touchdowns and safeties. The defense posted 4 turnovers and 2 fourth down stops for 18 points.Â
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In addition to his game-winning interception, Covington had another interception in the first half as well as freshman defensive back Christian Pierce. Xamarion Gordon, Domani Jackson and Tacket Curtis each collected a game-high 3 tackles while Korey Foreman notched 2.5 tackles and Fabian Ross, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Garrett Pomerantz, Ceyair Wright, Mason Cobb and Calen Bullock each recorded 2 tackles.Â
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Tuliaupupu and De'jon Benton each collectd a sack.Â
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There were 7 penalties in the game.Â
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"A really, really fun and competitive day," said Riley. "I told the team that was a very fitting end to our spring because I would say that in a lot of ways, that's kind of what our spring has looked like in terms of the kind of competition - down to the wire."
Â
"Our mentality this entire spring has been to take the standard that was established in year one and really go do something with it, and really try to push it to another level. We've raised the standards for our guys in every part of the program to help achieve that, and I think by and large these guys have done a good job attacking that."
Â
At halftime, Robert Whalen, Executive Director of the Heisman Trust, presented Caleb Williams with USC's copy of the Heisman Trophy in front of the crowd of 25,213 fans. Williams was joined by his parents and members of the 2022 USC football team.Â
Â
Quarterback Caleb Williams played just the first drive of the game and went 2-of-2 throwing a touchdown pass to Mario Williams to light up the Coliseum with Coach Riley's electric brand of offense.Â
Â
Quarterback Miller Moss went 9-of-17 for 94 yards, Jake Jensen went 5-of-6 for 52 yards and Malachi Nelson, in his Coliseum debut, went 12-of-20 for 127 yards. Â
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Freshman running back A'Marion Peterson had a 7-yard scoring run in the second half. He ended up with 41 yards on 4 carries. Running back Matt Colombo also scored in the second half on a 1-yard rush. Freshman running back Quinten Joyner led the ground attack with 6 carries for 92 yards.Â
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USC's other offensive points in the scrimmage that was televised live on Pac-12 Network came on two field goals by placekicker Denis Lynch (45 and 43 yards).Â
Â
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch had 8 receptions for 94 yards, Raleek Brown had 4 catches for 69 yards and Mario Williams had 3 catches for 19 yards and 1 TD. Receivers Danny Ryan and Kyron Hudson each collected 2 catches while Brenden Rice, MarShawn Lloyd, Michael Jackson III, Darwin Barlow, Tahj Washington, Matt Colombo, Dorian Singer and Josiah Zamora each tallied 1 reception.
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In the game's scoring system, the Trojan defense began with a 24-0 lead and was able to add 3 points for turnovers, fourth down stops and missed field goals and 7 points for defensive touchdowns and safeties. The defense posted 4 turnovers and 2 fourth down stops for 18 points.Â
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In addition to his game-winning interception, Covington had another interception in the first half as well as freshman defensive back Christian Pierce. Xamarion Gordon, Domani Jackson and Tacket Curtis each collected a game-high 3 tackles while Korey Foreman notched 2.5 tackles and Fabian Ross, Solomon Tuliaupupu, Garrett Pomerantz, Ceyair Wright, Mason Cobb and Calen Bullock each recorded 2 tackles.Â
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Tuliaupupu and De'jon Benton each collectd a sack.Â
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There were 7 penalties in the game.Â
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