L.A. Times - USC Trojans

UCLA is No. 8 in the first College Football Playoff rankings; USC is No. 20

Los Angeles Times Staff — Wed, 4 Nov 2026 00:24:23 GMT

UCLA coach Bob Chesney has led the Bruins to the College Football Playoff rankings during his first season leading the Bruins, a year after the team won just three games.

College football: Texas Tech tops Arizona; Indiana wins in OT

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:40:27 GMT

Other top-25 teams weren't as fortunate, with No. 19 Southern Methodist beaten by Syracuse, No. 20 Nothwestern falling to Oregon and No. 25 Wisonsin getting shutout by Iowa.

Why NBC is betting big on Lincoln Riley orchestrating a USC turnaround

Ryan Kartje — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:27:02 GMT

NBC has shown its share of USC football games in prime time this season, but will Lincoln Riley and USC make it "must-see" college football TV?

USC and UCLA could benefit as College Football Playoff nears 24-team expansion

Steve Henson — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:38:54 GMT

Reports that the College Football Playoff could expand from 12 to 24 teams in 2027 offer new hope for USC and UCLA, neither of which has reached the field.

Mark Sanchez reaches settlement in civil lawsuit filed by truck driver he allegedly assaulted

Chuck Schilken — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:13:10 GMT

Mark Sanchez has reached an agreement in principle to end the civil case against him filed by a truck driver who got into a physical altercation with the former USC and NFL quarterback.

LSU reduced a football player's punishment for rape. Now the D.A. is investigating

Steve Henson — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 17:22:01 GMT

LSU's Title IX office found Damien Shanklin responsible for forcible rape, but an appeal allowed him to remain on campus and play football.

Senate OKs a sweeping college sports bill. Here's what it would do

Christopher Buchanan — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:37:01 GMT

The bipartisan Protect Student College Sports Act would give the NCAA more power to govern national rules and regulations in college sports.

USC suspends Desman Stephens II, apologizes after late hit on Oregon's Dante Moore

Iliana Limón Romero — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 18:24:41 GMT

USC suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game after he celebrated delivering a late hit that injured Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.

USC loses to Oregon in yet another broken promise of the Lincoln Riley era

Ryan Kartje — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 03:34:21 GMT

Desman Stephens' late hit on Dante Moore sends the Oregon quarterback to the hospital before No. 12 USC goes on to lose 41-27 for their fifth consecutive loss to the Ducks.

USC confident quarterback Jayden Maiava can pass a critical test against Oregon

Ryan Kartje — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:10:13 GMT

USC coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans need veteran quarterback Jayden Maiava to shine during a must-win game against Oregon Saturday at the Coliseum.

Late-down defense, special teams are focuses for USC ahead of bout with Oregon

Sean Campbell — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:39:57 GMT

With the start of a tough stretch in the schedule, USC looks to tighten up in some key areas while also hoping for improved health with its secondary and wide receiver corps.

Trojans brush off high stakes of Oregon matchup: 'We treat every opponent the same'

Ryan Kartje — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:46:15 GMT

At the start of arguably the most consequential week of their season, the Trojans certainly gave their best efforts not to make a big deal out of the big game with Oregon.

Listen now: Podcast 'House of Troy' features inside look at highs, lows of USC Athletics

Los Angeles Times Staff — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:39:44 GMT

Why has it been so hard for USC football to compete for a national title after setting the standard in college football during Pete Carroll's tenure?

No. 12 USC defeats Rutgers in Big Ten opener, but defensive woes detract from win

Ryan Kartje — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 23:40:51 GMT

No. 12 USC defeats Rutgers 42-35 in its Big Ten opener, but concerns about the defense continue to cast doubts over the Trojans' playoff readiness.

USC freshman star Luke Wafle's football roots date back nearly a century

Ryan Kartje — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:00:53 GMT

Defensive lineman Luke Wafle's focus and dedication have impressed USC coaches and teammates, traits that have been passed down in his family for generations.

USC freshman star receiver Trent Mosley to miss Rutgers game

Ryan Kartje, Sean Campbell — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:21:30 GMT

Trent Mosley, the top USC receiving threat, will miss the Trojans' Big Ten opener Saturday because of an unspecified injury.

Chad Baker-Mazara sues USC, accuses Eric Musselman of 'racially charged' tirade

Ryan Kartje — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:15:00 GMT

Chad Baker-Mazara has filed a lawsuit against USC, alleging men's basketball coach Eric Musselman kicked him off the team to avoid NIL payments.

Trent Mosley's stellar start continues as USC beats Louisiana for 10th straight home win

Ryan Kartje — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:30:08 GMT

Jayden Maiava passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns as No. 14 USC defeats Louisiana 49-30 to head into Big Ten play next week undefeated.

How USC center Tobias Raymond went from soft spoken to team leader

Sean Campbell — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:00:00 GMT

USC center Tobias Raymond's mother died of cancer when he was in the eighth grade, but her lessons on work ethic and leadership continue to inspire him.

How unique family values helped Trent Mosley become a breakout star at USC

Ryan Kartje — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:00:00 GMT

USC freshman receiver Trent Mosley has been preparing his whole life to make the most of any opportunity, making it no surprise he is off to a hot start.

No. 14 USC dominates Fresno State with ruthless defense, efficient offense in shutout

Ryan Kartje — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 04:34:40 GMT

Behind a stingy defensive effort and a strong performance by quarterback Jayden Maiava, No. 14 USC improved to 2-0 with a 39-0 victory over Fresno State.

Ex-USC quarterback Mark Sanchez plans to plead guilty in connection to fight with truck driver

Chuck Schilken — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 23:03:54 GMT

Former USC and NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez plans to enter a guilty plea in connection with his physical altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in Indianapolis last October.

USC freshman Luke Wafle 'just scratching the surface' with strong debut

Ryan Kartje — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 22:57:26 GMT

The true freshman defensive end played only 23 snaps in the season-opening win over San Jose State, but stood out as a force with which to be reckoned.

Lincoln Riley defends USC amid criticism of season opener crowd

Ryan Kartje — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 03:22:39 GMT

USC coach Lincoln Riley said criticism of the Trojan's home opener crowd is being lobbed by people who haven't been to games at the Coliseum.

Packers turn to former USC running back Marshawn Lloyd with Josh Jacobs on NFL exempt list

Steve Henson — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:56:50 GMT

Former USC standout Marshawn Lloyd is expected to lead the Green Bay Packers' backfield while Josh Jacobs is in legal limbo.

Swanson: Lincoln Riley's latest defensive reboot at USC is nowhere close to playoff-ready

Mirjam Swanson — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:06:41 GMT

Subpar defenses have plagued Lincoln Riley since his arrival at USC, and the Trojans' performance against San José State raises the question of whether they are ready to compete among the elite.

USC youth movement powers No. 14 Trojans to season-opening win over San José State

Ryan Kartje — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:28:36 GMT

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns to spearhead No. 14 USC's 42-26 season-opening victory over San José State.

'Expectations should be through the roof': USC's Lincoln Riley ready for a breakthrough

Ryan Kartje — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:15:59 GMT

Coach Lincoln Riley certainly knows USC well enough now to understand his time to deliver is running out. The Trojans are 35-18 through four seasons under Riley.

Injured USC defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart will miss season opener

Ryan Kartje — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 01:58:23 GMT

USC sophomore defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart is expected to miss the Trojans' season opener against San Jose State, coach Lincoln Riley said.

How Boobie Feaster became one of the USC playmakers to watch at age 17

Ryan Kartje — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:30:00 GMT

USC receiver Boobie Feaster, 17, has quickly moved up the Trojans' depth chart ahead of the team's season opener on Saturday against San José State.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava pushes to use his voice as he enters his third season

Jordan Puente — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 19:29:30 GMT

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is hoping to take a step forward during his third season running coach Lincoln Riley's offense, starting with being more vocal in practice.

Jayden Daniels' objection to Louisiana State offering his old number upsets player now wearing No. 5

Steve Henson — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:57:47 GMT

Former Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels issues cease-and-desist letter to LSU prohibiting the school from using his name, image and likeness. It's all about No. 5.

USC's Gary Patterson out to prove college football hasn't passed him by

Ryan Kartje — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Former TCU head coach Gary Patterson is putting his decades of coaching experience to the test as he spearheads USC's efforts to revive its defense.

From napkin sketch to crown jewel: Inside USC's 'magical' football training center

Ryan Kartje — Fri, 7 Aug 2026 00:25:02 GMT

USC opens the Bloom Football Performance Center, part of a $225-million athletics infrastructure project promised to Lincoln Riley when he was hired.