Lincoln Riley can start CFP dreaming now that USC has a defense
LAS VEGAS — Who were these players, and what did they do with USC’s defense?They were physical.They made open-field tackles.They kept their team in the game…
Derius Davis has a huge ‘stake’ in the Chargers’ special teams
Most people look at the player who initiates the new NFL kickoffs as the kicker.Not Derius Davis.“That guy looks like a steak dinner to me,”…
Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty embraces hostile season opener
Ford Field in Detroit, site of the Rams’ NFC wild-card playoff loss to the Lions last season, would not rank as the friendliest place for…
D’Anon Lynn finding ways to unlock USC’s defensive potential
LAS VEGAS — D’Anton Lynn walked along the perimeter of Allegiant Stadium hours before his anticipated USC debut, headphones on, shutting out the noise around him…
UCLA vs. Hawaii takeaways: What’s going on with Ethan Garbers?
UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers passes against Hawaii in the first half Saturday. (Darryl Oumi / Getty Images) Expected to be a steadying force, Garbers was…
USC makes a big opening statement with thrilling victory over LSU
LAS VEGAS — Fatigue was setting in. Faith, ever fragile, was wavering. USC’s revamped defense had held mostly tough. Its new starting quarterback looked mostly comfortable.…
Column: Liam Pasten, barber/doughnut delivery man, making impact at QB
It was Monday morning and Eagle Rock High junior quarterback Liam Pasten was carrying two boxes of doughnuts around campus. His fellow students were asking…
UCLA avoids disaster, edging Hawaii in DeShaun Foster’s debut
HONOLULU — DeShaun Foster has long contended that nothing said about him or his team mattered once it played ball.UCLA’s new coach is too inexperienced? Play…
USC out to prove its defense can win a ‘fistfight’ vs. LSU
Confidence was radiating from Will Campbell as Louisiana State’s towering left tackle and future first-round pick leaned back comfortably in his chair this week, declaring…
Five things to watch as the DeShaun Foster era begins at UCLA
First year UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster, who previously coached the team’s running backs, will have a new role on the sideline on Saturday when…
Taylor Heinicke trade should end Chargers’ quarterback worries
The mystery behind the Chargers keeping just two quarterbacks on their roster has been solved.A day after reducing the roster to 53 players and retaining…
Troy Reeder is Rams’ next man up after Ernest Jones IV trade
Troy Reeder left the Rams’ facility, returned home to see his wife and son and enjoyed dinner with the family.It was a “nice normal” evening,…
Sondheimer: Looking back on six decades of covering high school football
It’s high school football season No. 48 for someone who loves telling stories about Southern California teenagers making a difference on and off the field.Sitting…
Chargers vs. Cowboys takeaways: Tony Jefferson puts on a show
Chargers wide receiver Simi Fehoko works out before a game against the Packers in November. (Matt Ludtke / Associated Press) After failing to score a…
Rams vs. Texans takeaways: Decision made on Stetson Bennett
Rams offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. stands on the sideline during training camp in July. (Ryan Sun / Associated Press) Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson…
High school football top performers in the Southland
A look at the top performers from high school football games across the Southland on Thursday and Friday nights.RUSHING—Koen Glover, St. Bonaventure: Rushed for 161…
Orange Lutheran defeats Gardena Serra in physical battle
TJ Lateef, Orange Lutheran’s talented senior quarterback who was slowed last season by a shoulder injury, apparently thought he was Superman on Friday night as…
Steven Perez and offensive line lead Banning to rout of Dorsey
Just two weeks ago, Banning High’s weight room was its training ground.Banning bulked up and lifted together, side by side throughout the preseason with its…
No. 1 Mater Dei pulls away in second half to beat No. 2 Corona Centennial
No. 1-ranked Mater Dei turned in a dominating defensive performance in the second half Thursday night to pull away from No. 2 Corona Centennial and…
Nothing bigger for Rams’ Stetson Bennett than Texas start
Sean McVay’s evaluation of Stetson Bennett is nearly complete. McVay, preparing for his eighth season as the Rams coach, has not committed to Bennett as…