Miller Moss ties Holiday Bowl record for TD passes in brilliant first half
Miller Moss made his first career start Wednesday night in the Holiday Bowl against No. 15 Louisville; it was already going to be a memorable day for the third-year quarterback. And then he had a first half to remember.
The Los Angeles native threw four first-half touchdown passes to give USC a 28-14 lead over the Cardinals at the break. Two of those touchdowns went to Tahj Washington. The third went to Kyron Hudson. The fourth went to Ja’Kobi Lane Moss took the underneath options and delivered several pretty deep balls.
His first touchdown was a simple play to Washington on a shallow cross. Washington made two defenders miss and raced for a touchdown.
THERE GOES TAHJ!
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/FqXVIR6eUd
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) December 28, 2023
The second touchdown pass saw Washington make an excellent play on the ball, but it was just as much about the throw from Moss, who lobbed the ball from the 29 and dropped it right over the defender.
Miller ➡️ Tahj for their 2nd touchdown today 😤
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/jENNe1VI7w
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) December 28, 2023
On the Trojans’ next possession, Miller showed off a bullet pass, firing into a tight window for a 9-yard touchdown to Hudson.
.@millermoss7 out here droppin’ dimes! 🎯
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/5i4wD1nB06
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) December 28, 2023
Then, on USC’s last possession of the first half, Moss led a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in 1:37. He completed each of his four passes — all to different receivers — and found Lane for a 31-yard touchdown to finish the drive off.
JA’KOBI OVER THERE SOMEWHERE
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/hgApctdk9a
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) December 28, 2023
In the first half, Moss completed 13 of his 18 passes for 218 yards and those four scores. He also ran twice for 13 yards and was not sacked.
With Caleb Williams expected to head to the NFL Draft, USC has been looking in the transfer portal for a replacement. The Trojans have been heavily linked to Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard, and those rumors seemingly played a part in Malachi Nelson’s foray into the portal.
But Moss had an opportunity to audition for the job on Wednesday and took full advantage of the moment in the first half.