USC football defeats San Jose State 42-26 in season opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 1:54 PM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026

USC opened its season with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State, showcasing a multifaceted offense under coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans utilized 10 different receivers and five running backs, emphasizing depth across the roster. While the offensive line created space for the ground game and young playmakers contributed, the defense struggled in the second half. The defensive unit failed to record a sack and allowed 26 points, raising concerns about the pass rush and secondary. Gary Patterson’s defense held the Spartans scoreless through much of the first half, but performance dipped as the game progressed. The team prepares for upcoming tests following this initial win.
- •USC defeated San Jose State 42-26 in the season opener.
- •The Trojans utilized five running backs and 10 different pass catchers.
- •The defense failed to record a single sack during the game.
- •Freshmen players including Luke Wafle, Trent Mosley, and Tron Baker saw significant playing time.
- •USC faces the Oregon Ducks in Week 5.
- 1:54 PMYahoo Sports — USC Football met the hype, but struggles were clear vs San Jose State
"USC's offense looked promising, but there were struggles in the secondary. Depth is a question after the backups' rough day
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