It couldn’t have been anyone else.

It just had to be the star quarterback-wideout duo that serves as the source of so much optimism for what USC can be in 2022. USC matched down the field. On third-and-3, Caleb Williams stepped back, waited for Jordan Addison to stop and cut back to the boundary, and then fired to his new favorite receiver.

The Trojans’ first touchdown of the Lincoln Riley era — a 6-yard pass to put the Trojans up 7-0 on Rice — came from a pair of transfers. Because of course it did.

 

USC closed as a 32.5-point favorite in the game, and it wasted no time showing exactly why it got so much early love from Vegas. The Trojans marched 75 yards in just seven plays.

Williams hit Addison for 12 yards on the first play of the game. Then running back Travis Dye picked up 4 yards on the ground. Tahj Washington caught a 4-yard reception and then a 43-yard explosive down the middle of the field. Running back Raleek Brown picked up 4 and then 3 yards on the ground to set up the Addison score.

USC is loaded with skill talent, and early results indicate they’ll spread the ball around.

The Trojans are hosting the Rice Owls over on the Pac-12 Network.