USC defense gets it done against San Jose State

The USC Trojans offense spent much of Saturday’s game against San Jose State unable to get into the endzone. Trojans’ safety Greg Johnson had no such issues.

Johnson returned a fourth-quarter interception 37 yards for a touchdown and the Trojans started their season with a 30-7 victory over the Spartans, behind a promising defensive performance.

The USC defense led the Trojans on Saturday, holding San Jose State to one scoring drive and three-of-14 third-down conversions. San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel completed just 24 of 46 attempts with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Drake Jackson had an interception to help stake USC to an early 10-0 lead. True freshman Calen Bullock led the Trojans with eight tackles, becoming the first true freshman to start at safety for USC since Su’a Cravens. He was out there in place of senior safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who missed the game due to health and safety protocols.

The USC offense put it together early and late, but sputtered for much of the game. After a field goal and touchdown to open the game, USC scored just six points on its next eight possessions.

Leading 16-7 with 11:50 left in the game, Johnson’s interception was the huge play the Trojans needed to put the game away. Starkel dropped back to pass on third and two. Johnson read the play, stepped in front of the receiver and raced into the endzone.

“I was just dropping in my zone and reading the quarterback’s eyes,” Johnson said of his critical interception. “I noticed that they ran that play earlier in the game, so I just made the most of my opportunity.”

Johnson said it “felt like a dream” as he was heading toward the endzone with the ball in his hands.

“In a critical situation where we needed a real spark, to have Greg [Johnson]…come up with the biggest play of the game…I couldn’t be any more happier for him,” USC head coach Clay Helton said.

USC sailed to the win after that, stopping San Jose State on fourth down and then adding a 20-yard touchdown pass from Slovis to Erik Krommenhoek to provide the final margin.

The USC defense will have reason to celebrate, but the Trojans’ offense will have some questions to answer moving forward.

The Trojans scored just three points in the second and third quarters, combined. Both coaches and players said there would be plenty to improve upon over the coming days and weeks. USC did rush for 160 yards and converted seven of their 14 third-down conversions. Both stats are significant (and positive) considering the struggles the Trojans have had there the last two years.

“The thing that I think we could do better is I’d like to see better redzone efficiency,” Helton said. “Instead of those two field goals, you know, I’d like eight more points on the board.”

Wide receiver Drake London was outstanding, setting a career high with 12 receptions for 137 yards. Tahj Washington made a quick impact, hauling in a 29-yard touchdown on his way to four receptions for 56 yards.

Slovis began the game hitting 12 of his first 14 passes for 118 yards. He finished 24-of-36 for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

USC dealt with injury issues throughout the game and went to the bench often. Outside linebacker Drake Jackson was hampered throughout the game and spent much of it on the sideline. Defensive end Nick Figueroa went to the sideline in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. Cornerback Chris Steele missed stretches of the second half. And the Trojans were already down starting safety Isaiah Pola-Mao to start the game. Helton said after the game he did not expect any injury to linger for any extended time.

Extra Points

• London’s previous career high in receptions was eight, which he’d done three times.
• Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown was USC’s first since Ajene Harris in 2018.
• The last time USC allowed seven or fewer points in a game was against Utah State in 2016, a 45-7 win.
• USC moves to 1-0 on the season. The Trojans will take on Stanford next Saturday, at 7:30 in the Coliseum.