Saint Thomas overcomes mental health challenges to be USC’s X factor
Saint Thomas stared into the mirror two Januarys ago and didn’t like what he saw. The light behind his eyes had faded. His mind raced…
USC’s free-throw shooting woes cost them potential win vs. UCLA
Saint Thomas wiped his hands, tossing away the towel as he stepped to the free-throw line. Ninety-six seconds remained in the latest meeting of the…
The Times of Troy: Sense of dread over the fires affected USC’s sports teams
Hi, everyone! I’m Ryan Kartje, the Times’ USC beat writer. It’s been a devastating week for all of Los Angeles, and our thoughts here at…
Desmond Claude scores 31 in USC’s defeat of No. 13 Illinois
Jan. 11, 2025 12:20 PM PT CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Desmond Claude scored a season-high 31 points to lead USC to an 82-72 win over No. 13…
USC’s younger players out to prove themselves in Las Vegas Bowl
When he first arrived at USC last January, Bryan Jackson was still a few months short of his 18th birthday. The bright-eyed freshman running back…
The Times of Troy: A look at some of USC’s brighter moments in 2024
Hello, my name is Iliana Limón Romero, and I’m the assistant managing editor for sports at the Los Angeles Times. I’m filling in for Ryan…
The Times of Troy: Five thoughts on USC’s first week of the transfer portal
Hello again, and welcome back to another week of the Times of Troy newsletter. I’m Ryan Kartje, the USC beat writer at The Times and…
USC’s starting QB plans likely won’t involve transfer portal
A year ago, with USC’s star quarterback off to the NFL, Lincoln Riley made his plans at the position abundantly clear. He would pursue a…
USC’s improving offensive line faces big test against Notre Dame
It was the lowest moment of the season for USC’s young offensive line, a September nadir that seemed certain to linger long after the Trojans…
How USC’s Eddie Czaplicki became the best punter in college football
A light rain fell over the Rose Bowl Saturday night as Eddie Czaplicki took his place just behind USC’s 45-yard line. He didn’t expect to…
USC’s Percival Everett wins National Book Award for ‘James’
Percival Everett has won the National Book Award for Fiction for his novel “James,” a retelling of Mark Twain’s classic “Huckleberry Finn.”Published in March to…
USC’s new quarterback is exactly what Lincoln Riley needed
It is a wild arm, a wondrous arm, a winning arm.But is it powerful enough to restore a reputation?It is a stalwart presence, a swaggering…
USC’s JuJu Watkins hits 1,000-point mark faster than Caitlin Clark
At the end of a historically dominant week that saw records toppled and the whole of women’s college basketball put on early notice, JuJu Watkins…
Desmond Claude scores 26 points in USC’s win over Texas Arlington
Desmond Claude scored 26 points and made consecutive shots down the stretch to help USC beat Texas Arlington 98-95 on Wednesday night.Claude made a layup…
What is the price of sticking with Miller Moss as USC’s starter?
Hello, everyone! Welcome to another week of The Times of Troy newsletter. I’m Ryan Kartje, your USC beat writer at the L.A. Times, still warming…
USC’s goal-line struggles prove costly in loss to Washington
SEATTLE — A long, cold night for USC had been leading here, to the doorstep of the Washington goal line. For most of this slog of…
USC’s many issues pile up in stunning collapse against Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In all his years playing the sport, Miller Moss had never traveled so far for a football game. But the past month…
Miller Moss remains USC’s QB as Trojans struggle to air it out
Miller Moss had delivered on more difficult throws than this one. Through six weeks, he’d made his share of poised plays in collapsing pockets and…
The Times of Troy: What was Lincoln Riley thinking at the end of USC’s loss to Penn State?
Hi, everyone! I’m Ryan Kartje, your USC beat writer at the L.A. Times, back again for another edition of the Times of Troy newsletter, in…
USC’s playoff hopes fade in overtime loss to No. 4 Penn State
The chances had been there all afternoon for USC as it tried to put No. 4 Penn State away. But once again Lincoln Riley’s Trojans…