All articles tagged with #usc
USC canceled its planned gubernatorial debate after backlash that its invitation criteria excluded all candidates of color; a last-minute KNBC-moderated alternative could not be assembled in time due to scheduling conflicts, leaving several candidates of color and Matt Mahan out and highlighting gatekeeping concerns ahead of California’s 2026 race.
Amber Harding’s Nightcaps column stacks Matt Leinart’s firm stance against un-retiring his USC No. 11 jersey, Rod Stewart’s enduring star power, and Lainey Wilson’s new single ‘Can’t Sit Still,’ all wrapped in festive St. Patrick’s Day vibes and reader-driven banter.
Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra blasted USC and ABC for a March 24 debate that would exclude all candidates of color, calling the eligibility criteria biased; USC and the Center for the Political Future say the selection weighed polling and fundraising data, with six invitees including late entrant Matt Mahan, while Becerra and other excluded candidates condemn the process as discriminatory and unfair in a crowded race ahead of the June primary.
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has seven official top-30 visits scheduled with NFL teams drafting between No. 4 and No. 13, including the Titans, Browns, Commanders, Saints, Dolphins, and Rams (the Rams’ local visit doesn’t count against the 30). A former five-star recruit and 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, Lemon is generating strong first-round buzz ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
USC dismissed sixth-year guard Chad Baker-Mazara, the Trojans’ leading scorer, just before the postseason, saying the move reflected a season-long pattern of issues rather than a single incident. The decision followed a disruptive display in a Nebraska game and came after Baker-Mazara’s history of off-court and disciplinary concerns at multiple prior programs, leaving USC to replace significant scoring production as it pursues an NCAA tournament bid.
USC announced Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer part of the Trojans’ men’s basketball program after transferring from Auburn. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged a team-leading 18.5 points in 26 games this season and had a 14-point, 19-minute outing against Nebraska before leaving the floor after a hard foul. His departure comes as USC deals with a five-game slide and two remaining regular-season games amid possible NCAA Tournament implications.
No. 12 Nebraska trailed USC at halftime but dominated the second half, ripping off 12-2 and 15-0 runs to pull away for an 82-67 win in Los Angeles. Pryce Sandfort scored 32 points, including five three-pointers, and the Huskers outrebounded the Trojans 41-25 while outscoring them 51-31 after the break, improving to 25-4 overall and 14-4 in the Big Ten and moving into sole possession of second place. Nebraska will next face UCLA in Los Angeles.
No. 12 Nebraska hits the road for a West Coast two-game swing, opening at USC after a 74-61 win over Maryland amid a flu outbreak. The Huskers sit 24-4 (13-4 Big Ten) and look to reach 25 wins as they face a USC squad in the midst of a four-game skid; tip is 3 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network, with radio on the Huskers Network. Key NU players Braden Frager, Rienk Mast, Pryce Sandfort and Sam Hoiberg lead the offense, while USC leans on transfers and injuries in a reshaped lineup.
USC named interim president Beong-Soo Kim as its 13th president after seven months at the helm, during which he steered the university through a $200 million budget deficit, thousands of layoffs, and pressures from federal policy, AI, and campus labor tensions, with the board calling him a “next generation” leader who can guide USC through a rapidly changing higher‑education landscape.
The Big Ten released its 2026 schedule, delivering six takeaways about marquee showdowns and tough travel. USC faces what could be the toughest league slate, with Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State on the menu plus road trips to Wisconsin and Penn State and a home date with Washington, suggesting a high-pressure year for Lincoln Riley. Ohio State’s path is also stacked, including Indiana, Oregon, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, USC and a Texas Week 2 game, setting up another title bid fight. Michigan closes with a brutal run (road trip to Oregon, a UCLA return, and Ohio State to finish) while also hosting Oklahoma in Week 2, ensuring five top-17 opponents from last season populate the schedule. Northwestern hosts Pat Fitzgerald’s Wildcats in East Lansing as Northwestern’s Aidan Chiles debuts under Chip Kelly, a subplot in a competitive matchup. Nebraska’s slate reinforces aTester-to-challenge year for Matt Rhule, featuring Indiana and Oregon in October and just one November home game (vs. Ohio State) with three of the final four on the road. Penn State, under Campbell, benefits from a favorable mix of five bottom-half teams and a demanding cross-country trip to face USC, with Michigan and USC looming but nine-win potential in Year 1 for Campbell remains plausible.
USC announced on Jan. 23 that Gary Patterson, a Hall-of-Fame defensive mind and former 21-year TCU head coach, will serve as USC’s defensive coordinator under Lincoln Riley. Patterson turned TCU into a defensive powerhouse with multiple conference titles and national coach-of-the-year honors, and has recent Big 12 advisory experience with Baylor and Texas. His hire is contingent on a background check and is expected to elevate USC’s defense immediately.
USC suffered a 30-27 overtime loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl, highlighting both their potential and shortcomings, including missed opportunities in the red zone and defensive lapses, amid roster challenges and coaching changes, leaving questions about their future direction.
USC faces challenges in the Alamo Bowl with a depleted defense and a new offensive quarterback, but will showcase young players and a key quarterback Jayden Maiava, who chose to stay for another year, against TCU's mostly intact offense, in what could be a glimpse into USC's future.
Penn State is hiring USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, a former Penn State player, to lead their defense, returning him to his alma mater after successful stints at UCLA and USC where he improved defenses significantly. His departure leaves USC with a key vacancy as they prepare for a challenging 2026 season, and his return to Penn State marks a notable coaching move in college football.
D'Anton Lynn, USC's defensive coordinator, has accepted the same position at Penn State after turning down the job last year, citing changes in circumstances and leadership at Penn State. Lynn improved USC's defense significantly in his first year but faced challenges in his second season. His departure leaves USC searching for its third defensive coordinator in four years.