Built for the Big Ten: USC mauls Michigan, then turns to Notre Dame
South Bay Black Journal — by Jason Burrell
From the opening kick, USC played like a team tired of being labeled finesse. The Trojans beat Michigan the old way, by winning the line of scrimmage, then kept stepping on the gas until a 31–13 final felt almost merciful. Down three starting offensive linemen, with the running back room taped together midgame, USC still ripped off 200+ rushing yards and protected Jaden Maiava without surrendering a sack. Walk-on revelation King Miller (158 yards, TD) ran through arm tackles and past angles; the defensive front choked off Michigan’s bread-and-butter runs and turned third downs into exit ramps. “We’re a tough-ass, physical program… we won the line of scrimmage tonight,” Lincoln Riley said afterward, the Coliseum still humming.
The pregame chirp from Michigan’s Sherrone Moore:
claiming the sellout was because “Michigan fans will show up”? The building told a different story. It wasn’t 50/50. It wasn’t close. USC’s crowd owned the night and the moment, and the Trojans returned the favor by owning the knocks. Yes, five-star freshman Bryce Underwood is 18. Yes, Justice Haynes left late in the second quarter. But USC was shorthanded, too, two O-linemen down, multiple backs and linebackers out, and still controlled the game, start to finish. Physical. Grown. Big Ten football in cardinal and gold.
Walk-on running back King Miller (MEMORABLE IMAGES/PHOTO)
That physical statement was personified by the unlikeliest hero:
walk-on running back King Miller, the LA native who dreamed of wearing cardinal and gold, then made the Coliseum roar. “It was honestly a dream come true,” Miller said, still catching his breath postgame. “I’ve always loved this game, and I knew my opportunity would come. I’m just so grateful.” Every time Miller touched the ball, the moment felt bigger than him. His 49-yard run on third-and-32 was the heartbeat of the night, proof that belief and preparation still matter in a sport overrun by NIL headlines. “I just listen to my coaches, follow my rules, and when I see green grass, I go,” he said. His coach, Deland McCullough, told him one thing on the sideline: “Do what you do.” Miller did exactly that.
He played for the teammates who couldn’t:
Waymon Jordan and Eli Sanders, both injured midgame, and for the city that raised him. “I’m an LA kid. USC’s always been the dream,” Miller said. “I had other offers, but this is where God put me.” When the Trojans ran out of backs, Miller refused to run out of belief. “Coach just said, keep your breath, play by play, you got it. That’s all I needed.”
USC HEAD COACH LINCOLN RILEY (MEMORABLE IMAGES/PHOTO)
For the record, Miller called his dad first. “I just wanted to hear him say he was proud,” he said, smiling. Asked if he’d asked for a scholarship after the game, Miller laughed. “Nah, God’s got me. I’m just playing ball.”
The rest of the team echoed the same spirit: linemen playing through pain, safeties flying downhill, and a Coliseum crowd reclaiming its roar. For the first time in years, USC looked like USC again. The win wasn’t about finesse or flash; it was about faith, fight, and the belief that toughness is transferable. The kind that travels to Notre Dame Next Saturday!
