Williams credits D as USC escapes with 3OT win

• Paolo Uggetti, ESPNOct 8, 2023, 02:44 AM ET

The factors USC might have lost its first game of the season against Arizona on Saturday night were plentiful, some more familiar than others: a sluggish start, a lukewarm offense led by a variation of Caleb Williams that discovered more success on the ground than in the air, an inconsistent defense, questionable time management and even a messed up field goal attempt that could have provided the Trojans the win in policy but did not. Nearly everything went wrong.Yet somehow, there was Williams in the 3rd overtime, sliding past a Wildcats protector with a stutter action that provided him enough space to slip into the end zone for the lead. Arizona could not match it, USC remained unbeaten with a 43-41 win and later, the reigning Heisman winner felt the need to voice his feelings on a particular popular topic: the Trojans’ defense.”We would not have won that game without the defense

,”Williams said, jumping to address a question initially directed at coach Lincoln Riley.” We were down 17-0. This entire defense thing, our bros, the score would not be 43-41 without them. Put it simply that way.”Riley echoed the belief, noting that an interception in the very first half by Jacobe Covington moved the game, while the game-winning take on for loss on Arizona’s two-point shot sealed it. “When you decrease 17-0, you get tested internally,”Riley stated.”Your culture gets evaluated quick.

Defense is what got us going.” Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Williams and Riley and the rest of the group are aware of the story that has actually been confirmed by both numbers and the eye test: USC’s defense is a problem if the Trojans wish to play for trophies at the end of the season.On Saturday, while on the verge of an upset, that defense did simply enough to keep the Trojans afloat on a night where Williams could just summon 219 passing backyards. Of course, the Heisman winner still discovered a way to be the game’s fulcrum, utilizing his legs to barge his method into completion zone 3 separate times, including the game winner.While numerous of USC’s weak points were on full display, Riley applauded the team’s resilience in fighting back. “A lot of teams do not win this game decreasing 0-17, “Riley said.While in previous games, USC’s high powered offense led by Williams has actually been able to make the defense’s inconsistency almost moot, this one was various.

All game long, the Wildcats made it difficult for Williams to discover open receivers in space, all however nearly eliminating his passing and rushing benefits and turning him into a runner.”Lanes kept opening up, they kept dropping out and they left me with big lanes,”Williams, who ran for 41 lawns, said.”I understand I haven’t ran this year much. Do not actually like to run to be honest with you, however you got to do whatever you got to do to win the game.”Williams also expressed multiple times that opposing groups have games against USC circled on their calendar, which indicates they’re bound to get their finest and can’t manage to get off to slow starts.Riley acknowledged the requirement for improvement while also delighting in the truth that USC had when again left a difficult matchup unharmed.”My expectations are greater than any person’s, “Riley said.”I want to score every fricking time we have the ball. In reality, that’s not going to occur.

And you can either panic or you can get back on it. We didn’t play our finest tonight by any stretch, however one game to another, I wouldn’t count

us out.”