Miller Moss excited to step up as USC's starting quarterback for the Holiday Bowl
USC quarterback Miller Moss is going to get the first start of his college career when the Trojans take the field against the Louisville Cardinals in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl later this month. Quarterback Caleb Williams, who started all 14 games in 2022 and all 12 regular season games in 2023, won’t participate in the game for the Trojans. So Moss, who has been the No. 2 quarterback since Williams arrived in January of 2022, gets the call. He spoke about the development following USC’s Friday afternoon practice.
On one hand, this is a huge event for Moss, who grew up wanting to be the quarterback at USC.
“It’s awesome,” Moss said. “I worked my whole life for this…I’m excited to step in this role and I’m very confident in our team.”
Excited. But not overwhelmed.
“I think I just try to treat it like any other game,” he said. “Obviously excited about the opportunity, but not gonna make it more than what it is. We have a game to prepare for and we’re going to do everything we can to win.”
With Williams deciding to opt out of this game, it expectation is firmly set that he will declare for the 2024 NFL Draft and leave a Heisman-shaped hole behind center for the Trojans this coming spring.
Many will use this as a measuring stick game for Moss and a glimpse of what he might be able to provide if he becomes the Trojans’ full-time starter for the 2024 season. Moss’s reps have been somewhat limited the past two years as USC hasn’t run up as many blowouts as fans (and likely the Trojans’ themselves) expected them to. In three years at USC, he’s completed 72.9% of his passes for 542 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Moss, however, isn’t worried about using this game to prove himself the deserving 2024 starter.
“It’s not about, this is your big, next opportunity,” Moss said. “It’s just about handling your business each and every day. I think if you do that, everything will take care of itself.”
He said aside from having more input on the gameplan as the starter, nothing changes for him. He’ll prep in the film room and the practice field just like he would for any other game.
And Moss said he has no sights set on anything beyond this next game.
“My biggest focus isn’t worried about who’s saying what on Twitter or whatever,” Moss said. “My biggest focus is handling my business within these walls, leading my team, and going to get a win.”
Moss did give a brief look to his future and next spring, when he was specifically asked about head coach Lincoln Riley’s recent remarks that he was actively looking in the transfer portal for a potential quarterback addition. He said Riley has been “very candid and open” with him about what’s going on with that process.
But Moss finished that thought with an answer that is a big reason why so many USC fans will be rooting for Moss to put on a show when he takes the field in San Diego.
“I’ve been competing my whole life,” Moss said. “So, let’s go.”
