Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times. He joined The Times after six years with the Southern California News Group, where he covered everything from Vin Scully’s retirement to LaVar Ball’s rise to the NFL’s rebirth in L.A. His features work has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, as well as several other regional press groups. A Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Kartje previously wrote for Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times.
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USC punter Eddie Czaplicki has been the key to the Trojans’ field-position advantage this season: 22 of his 36 punts (61%) have landed inside the 20-yard line.
The best USC can do is 8-5, the same record it had last season, and that would still require an upset of Notre Dame.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava struggles to find rhythm, but the Trojans make big plays in the fourth quarter to defeat UCLA 19-13 at the Rose Bowl.
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb asked Iowa leaders how they handled Caitlin Clark’s time in the spotlight as she supports Trojans star JuJu Watkins.
D’Anton Lynn has improved USC’s defense in his first year with the Trojans, but his successor at UCLA also has had success ahead of their rivalry game.
In a season in which he has rushed 174 times for over 1,000 yards, USC’s Woody Marks does whatever he can to keep his body in peak form.
The flu has spread through USC’s locker room, but Lincoln Riley downplays the influence it will have against UCLA on Saturday.
The recent slap on the wrist for a minor violation showed how much USC’s approach has changed since its last run-in with the NCAA.