Lincoln Riley Announces Scoring and Timing Rules for USC's Spring Game
This 2023 spring ball roster might look a lot different than the 2022 version for the Trojans, but the timing and scoring rules in place for Saturday’s spring game will be the same.
Riley said on Monday night’s Trojans Live Radio Show that without the requisite numbers to split into two full teams, the spring game will pit the offense against the defense. It will be the third year in a row Riley’s program plays the spring game this way. He said the previous to editions resulted in very competitive games.
True enough for the Trojans last season. The offense did just enough to come away with a 34-30 win in front of an announced crowd of 33,427. The attendance set a record for a USC spring game dating back to at least the late 1990s.
Spring Game Scoring
The USC defense will start Saturday with a 21-0 lead. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s group will be able to tally three points for each turnover, fourth-down stop and missed field goal. The defense can earn seven points for a touchdown or safety.
Offensively, points are scored the same way as in a game, via touchdowns, extra points and field goals. Last year, the defense generated three stops on fourth down to get to 30 points. USC’s offense got two touchdown passes from Caleb Williams and another from Miller Moss. Austin Jones went into the endzone from six yards out. And kickers Denis Lynch and Alex Stadthaus both connected on field goals.
Spring Game Timing and Expectations
Riley said the Trojans will play one half of football on Saturday. He said the spring game will also include a “few special teams phases to let those guys work.” Riley added the special teams portion likely won’t feature “live” tackling.
But the half of football will be full-go.
“We’re gonna play ball,” Riley said. “From a defensive and offensive perspective, we’re gonna go live. We’re gonna play.”
There will be a Heisman Trophy ceremony at the spring game as the Heisman Trust presents Williams and USC with the Trojans’ copy of the award Williams won for his outstanding play during the 2022 season. Riley also said they will honor some of the seniors from the 2022 team as well.
USC’s spring game is set for this Saturday, April 15. It will kick off at the Coliseum at noon and will air live on Pac-12 Network.
