The Trojans (5-0, 3-0 in Pac-12) found their groove again back at the Coliseum, riding a strong rebound performance by quarterback Caleb Williams to a win over Arizona State (1-4, 0-2).
USC tight end Malcolm Epps, center, gets congratulations from teammates Bobby Haskins, left, and Austin Jones, after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Arizona State right, in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
USC running back Travis Dye, right, comes up short of the goal line but sets up a UCS touchdown in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 1, 2022. USC wide receiver Brenden Rice tries to run out of the grasp of Arizona State linebacker Merlin Robertson on a pass play in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 1, 2022. LOS ANGELES – There was never cause for concern. A one-game sample size is too small to say whether or not a performance is an issue or an aberration.
After a stuffed run, a false start and a bobbled snap to open the game, the offense began moving. Head coach Lincoln Riley called for short and intermediate plays to get Williams comfortable. It worked, with Williams completing his first five passes for 66 yards and sneaking into the end zone for a touchdown.