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It was all smiles for the USC Trojans this bowl season as a Caleb Williams-less offense scorched Louisville for 42 points. Despite being down QB1 (and QB2!), the unit clicked on all cylinders.
Redshirt sophomore Miller Moss got the start under center, and he wouldn’t disappoint. His career night in San Diego wowed everyone around the sport.
Many wrote USC off in its bowl game following a disappointing end to the season. The Trojans dropped each of their last three games, culminating with an 18-point thrashing at the hands of rival UCLA to finish the year at 7-5.
After starting the season a perfect 6-0, the group failed to live up to PAC 12 and national championship aspirations over the second half of the year.
With little to play for in the postseason, a number of stars opted to sit out of the bowl game vs. Louisville.
One was former Heisman winner Caleb Williams, who projects to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. His backup, Malachi Nelson, also sat out after entering the transfer portal.
That gave Miller Moss the nod, and he wouldn’t disappoint.
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Moss set a Holiday Bowl record with six passing touchdowns while also throwing for 372 yards to lead USC to a 42-28 win.
Caleb Williams congratulates Miller Moss
Williams posted another successful season in Los Angeles, throwing for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns. While that offensive production wasn’t enough to help the Trojans meet expectations, it cemented his status as the No. 1 QB in the draft class.
With not much left to prove on the field, he opted out of the bowl game in order to preserve his health and prep for the NFL.
That doesn’t mean he stopped supporting his teammates, though.
Williams was on hand in San Diego, enjoying himself on the sidelines.
@yahoosports Happy to be around his teammates 👀 #usc #calebwilliams #uscfootball #collegefootball ♬ Watch this by lil Uzi – Favoritespeedup_sounds
After seeing Miller Moss’s incredible performance, he was one of the first to congratulate the passer on the field.
Williams gave his teammate a big embrace after the historic outing, and he was HYPED UP for Moss’s success.
@yahoosportsSpecial moment between the USC teammates after tonight’s incredible performance by Miller Moss ✌️❤️♬ original sound – Yahoo Sports
Announcer Gus Johnson quotes Eminem after USC showing
Johnson couldn’t think of a better reference than Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” after watching Moss’s performance.
MILLER MOSS HOLIDAY BOWL LEGEND 6 TD PASSES!! pic.twitter.com/rkXPr2CHeR
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) December 28, 2023
“Just looking at Miller Moss and what he’s done, I feel like I’m listening to Eminem,” he said in the booth after the QB’s sixth TD. “You only get one shot — do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime. First career start. Six touchdown passes.”
You couldn’t ask for a better first start. Moss has officially put his name in the mix for the starting signal caller role next season.