USC vs. San Jose State score, takeaways: Caleb Williams helps Trojans overcome shaky start in season opener

Williams, the reigning Heisman winner, and freshman WR Zachariah Branch showed off their star power

LOS ANGELES -- No. 6 USC struggled on both sides of the ball early, but used an explosive second half to pull away from San Jose State for a 56-28 win in Week 0. The Trojans scored 35 points in the final 30 minutes, highlighted by individual efforts from quarterback Caleb Williams and freshman receiver Zachariah Branch, to coast to victory after a tense first half that saw Lincoln Riley's team up just seven points over the Spartans at the break. 

But Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, was not to be denied. The junior finished 18 of 25 passing, completing nine of his final 10 attempts, for 278 yards and four touchdowns. Branch had four catches for 58 yards and a score plus a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a breakout performance. Tahj Washington, Dorian Singer and Brenden Rice each caught a touchdown pass from Williams as well. On the ground, USC running back Austin Jones scored a pair of touchdowns, and former South Carolina back MarShawn Lloyd finished with 42 yards rushing in his first action as a Trojan. 

San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro finished the night with three touchdown passes, all of which were hauled in by receiver Nick Nash, who finished with six catches for 89 yards. 

The Trojans, playing their final season as a member of the Pac-12 before a move to the Big Ten in 2024, are now 6-0 all-time vs. the Spartans and have their sights set on the College Football Playoff after just missing the field last season. 

What did we learn from USC's win over San Jose State? Let's get to the takeaways below: 

1. USC's newcomers steal the show

A handful of USC players got their first taste of college football on Saturday, but none seized the moment quite like Branch. The former five-star prospect looked explosive, and his speed was evident both as a return man and wide receiver. Branch's 25-yard receiving touchdown was impressive, but absolutely nothing will top his 96-yard kickoff return late in the third quarter to give the Trojans a 21-point lead. In all, Branch finished with 162 yards on kickoff and punt returns. 

Singer, while not a freshman, showed why he was one of the most coveted wide receivers available in the transfer portal, finishing the game with four catches for 41 yards. Singer looks to be WIlliams' favorite target and should finish the season as USC's WR1 if he stays healthy.

2. USC's defensive improvement is TBD

Early impressions for USC's 2023 defense are a mixed bag. The Trojans struggled to get off the field in the first half and allowed a late second-quarter touchdown to make it 21-14 at halftime, Though USC's first-team defense only allowed seven points in the second half, San Jose State's dynamic offense nevertheless revealed some cracks with open receivers throughout the night. 

At the same time, there were some standout performances. Cornerback Domani Jackson made his first collegiate start and recorded four tackles. Jackson, the No. 14 overall player in the 2022 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports, appears to be ready to make a jump in his second season after only appearing in seven games in 2022. Linebacker Mason Cobb, a transfer from Oklahoma State, had six takedowns. Former Georgia defensive lineman Bear Alexander assisted on a key sack with Solomon Byrd in the third quarter. Texas A&M transfer Anthony Lucas had a pair of tackles for loss. All four players will be relied upon to improve USC's dreadful defense from last season.

if USC wants to make a legitimate run to the playoff, the defense has to be able to perform better than it did against a (quality) Mountain West opponent. There will be more explosive teams the Trojans have to face when Pac-12 play starts.

3. The Trojans offensive line is a question mark, too

Offensive line play wasn't going to cost USC the game, but it will be something to monitor for the rest of the season. Freshman Alani Noa started at left guard, and none of the five starting offensive lineman on Saturday played the same position in USC's last game of the 2022 season. Williams, at times, had to scramble outside of the pocket and play hero ball — a common theme during last season. Williams is good enough to overcome shaky offensive line play and made some Heisman-like throws, but after being knocked out of last year's Pac-12 Championship Game, his health is of the utmost importance. Protecting him will be key. 

4. Cordeiro can make the Spartans a Mountain West contender 

Saturday marked Cordeiro's first game against a top-10 opponent in his career, but the sixth-year senior showed why he was named the preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Cordeiro capped the end of the first half with two impressive throws: The first an 18-yard completion to Malikhi Miller; the second a 28-yard touchdown strike to Nash. Though the USC defense doesn't appear to be a world-beating unit, Cordeiro held his own against one of the best teams in the country. He fits the bill of the top quarterback in the Mountain West and makes the Spartans a bona fide contender for a conference title. 

[Aug 27, 2023 at 2:58 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Williams tosses fourth touchdown pass of the night

Williams looks ready to make another run at the Heisman Trophy. Williams tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brenden Rice, the son of NFL Hall of Fame Jerry Rice for his fourth touchdown. Williams had five games with four or more touchdown passes last season. USC pulled Williams for Miller Moss to close out the game.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Branch does it again

Branch is already making his case for one of the fastest players in America. The true freshman fielded a kick-off and returned it 96-yards to put USC back up by 21. Branch is shaping up to be one of USC's most valuable players in 2023.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:38 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Nash makes a big play for his second score of the night

Nash was given WR1 duties for San Jose State in the absence of Lockhart and made the most impressive play of the evening with a one-handed touchdown grab in the corner of the endzone. His catch curt USC's lead down to 14. The touchdown was Cordeiro's second of the night and capped a 9-play, 75-yard drive. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:28 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Branch looking like a future freshman All-American

Branch has shown his quick burst and explosiveness tonight as a wide receiver and punt returner. Williams connected with Branch on a 25-yard touchdown pass to extend USC's lead to 21 with six minutes remaning in the third quarter. Branch has returned two punts tonight for 47 yards and has four catches for 58 yards.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:10 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Jones scores second touchdown of the day

USC started the second half on a positive note, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jones for his second touchdown of the evening. Jones has 54 yards rushing and is averaging 9.0 yards per attempt. Lloyd has seven rushes for only 17 yards.