LOS ANGELES — Gotta hand it to them.
I mean, they really better.
If USC wants to unlock its offense under redshirt sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava this season, the Trojans should turn to their tantalizing tailback tandem of Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders.
There are real concerns about the Trojans entering Year 4 under Lincoln Riley. Just the fifth time in 60 years they’re not starting the season in the Associated Press Top 25, USC is forging forward this season with an unproven QB, offensive line and cornerbacks. It doesn’t have exceptional depth at linebacker and receiver.
But it’s got a banger of a backfield.
That’s what I got out of season-opening 73-13 bludgeoning of Missouri State, which became an FBS school at 4:35 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum. Welcome to the big time, Bears. Sorry you had to experience that bit of history – USC’s most points in a game since 1930.
The Trojans aired it out plenty against Mo State, a tomato can of an opponent that reportedly was paid $1.15 million to travel to L.A. for the privilege of getting whooped by USC. Fourteen receivers caught passes, three of them for touchdowns.
But it was USC’s running game that set the tempo. That plunged the dagger – with 25 seconds left in the second quarter.
That got Trojans’ fans’ hearts racing.
By halftime, the shifty Jordan – the Trojans’ starter – had carried it five times for 42 yards and a score. His was the game’s first touchdown of 11. It came on a 5-yard run in the first quarter, which cashed in on the 26-yard jaunt to set it up.
Sanders added 34 yards on the ground on five carries and then a touchdown on a 73-yard sprint to the end zone off a screen pass from Maiava to increase USC’s lead to 42-10. The senior looked like he was doing a Usain Bolt impression – lightning to Jordan’s firefly. And Sanders also returned a punt for 19 yards.
On Saturday, the understudies got some run too, with Calabasas freshman King Miller scoring on a 75-yard run and freshman backup QB Husan Longstreet scoring on runs of 5 and 17 yards.
So, sure, Riley is the quarterback whisperer who has developed three Heisman Trophy-winners at the position (Caleb Williams at USC and Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma, 2017), plus a runner-up in Jalen Hurts.
But this season, a coach under pressure is going to be more grounded in his approach. Bet on Riley seeking balance, finding his zen – and committing to that bit.
He’ll be happy to be handing it off to Jordan and Sanders, USC’s Nos. 1-and-2 punch at running back that will leave opponents either wheezing in his dust or with their ankles broken.
Along with homegrown sophomore Bryan Jackson, Sanders and Jordan were named to the 2025 Doak Walker Award Watch List, the award to the nation’s most outstanding college running back. The Trojans are one of only four teams in the country with three candidates.
“I’m pretty excited about the room,” Riley said recently. “I’ll put it this way, I’ll be disappointed if it’s not the best room we’ve had since we’ve been at ’SC.”
The talk going into the season was that Jordan – a transfer from Hutchinson Community College who was last year’s NJCAA DI Football Offensive Player of the Year – could be this year’s Ashton Jeanty. The similarly shifty Boise State back was last season’s Doak Walker winner after rushing for 2,601 yards on 7.0 yards per carry and 29 touchdowns.
Add Miller, a senior transfer from New Mexico, where he ran for 1,000 yards in 2024 and was, by Riley’s account – and now Missouri State’s – the “most explosive” of the quality running backs on this roster.
Also, Jackson – who had five carries for 11 yards and a touchdown in the blowout – spent last season studying workhorse Woody Marks’ best habits. Now playing for the NFL’s Houston Texans, Marks ran for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns in his one season here.
Add the mobile Maiava to the mix and USC might just have a recipe for gaining ground on last season’s unsatisfactory seven-win season. Its one ingredient: Run.
It’s football, of course, so Riley reminded after running up the score Saturday that it’s going to take everyone doing his job to open the holes to spring Jordan and Sanders.
“We did a pretty good job, I thought, from our O-line standpoint. I thought the perimeter blocking from our wideouts was really good,” Riley said.
“And, obviously,” – obviously! – “the ball-carriers did a great job as well.”
“We have tones of talent in the room and on the offense,” Sanders said. “Super-excited to see what we do next week.”
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