Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Author : Aryan Virani
The USC Trojans kicked off their 2023 season hosting the San Jose State Spartans. USC ended last season with an 11-3 record and fell short in a tight battle with Tulane in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. The Trojans return many key players, including Heisman winner Caleb Williams. San Jose State hopes to add onto a season that went in the right direction last year, going 7-5 and making a bowl game but could not get it done in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
The Spartans started the game off with the ball but didn’t get much going. Out came the projected #1 overall pick Caleb Williams and his offense. A solid rushing attack from returning senior Austin Jones and new transfer Marshawn Lloyd had the offense moving early. This paved the way for Caleb Williams to connect on with another transfer, Dorian Singer on a 13 yard touchdown. San Jose State answered the Trojans, with a 12 play, 72 yard touchdown drive. The Spartans are led by returning senior Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro. After making a few solid passes the Spartans were rolling. They got to the USC 39, where they faced a 3rd and 22. Cordiero wasn't worried, showing off his athleticism with a huge 28 yard run. This Led to a 1 yard touchdown run by Kairee Robinson, the lead running back from 2022. The Trojans got the ball back, and very quickly they were back on the board. Williams fumbled the snap, recovered it, and threw the ball off his back foot to find Tahj Washington for a 76 yard highlight reel touchdown. The Trojan defense then stepped up to force a 3 and out. Williams found Zack Branch for an 18 yard gain, and from there the rushing duo of Marshawn Lloyd and Austin Jones put the Trojans up 21-7 on a 2 yard run by Jones. A few drives later, SJSU had 27 seconds to get back on the board and stay in the game. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro made a huge 18 yard pass into USC territory. On 3rd and 10 with 18 seconds left, Cordeiro made another huge pass, this time connecting with Nick Nash for a 28 yard touchdown.
To start the 2nd half, USC had a 75 yard drive capped off with another Austin Jones touchdown. SJSU could not answer, and USC had a chance to run away with the game. All it took was a minute and 35 seconds for Williams. He found Zack Branch for a 25 yard touchdown. USC now led 35-14 halfway through the 3rd. Chevan Cordeiro showed off his experience making throw after throw. The Spartans were driving, and Cordeiro was able to find Nick Nash again, this time for a 32 yard touchdown, his 2nd of the game. This made it a 2 possession game again. On the Ensuing Kickoff, speedster Zack Branch took it to the house, going 96 yards for a touchdown and all of a sudden USC was back up by 21. A SJSU 3 and out gave USC a chance to put the game away for good. Williams completed multiple passes, leading the offense back on the board with a 12 yard touchdown throw to Brenden Rice. This ended the 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams season debut, in which he went 18/25 with 278 yards and 4 touchdowns. The game was out of reach and SJSU was unable to comeback, falling 56-28.
San Jose State will host 18th ranked Oregon State next week. The Spartans may have taken a big blow in the end, but the offense did a great job battling and should have high hopes for this season as a team. The Trojans will have Nevada at home next week. USC has an elite offense and is looking like a real contender this year. If the Defense can step up, they will most likely seem themselves competing for a playoff spot this year. Caleb Williams started off his season strong, and looks to win back to back Heisman Trophies.