The No. 14-ranked USC Trojans opened the 2026 season with a commanding three-quarter defensive performance. Head coach Lincoln Riley believes new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson has already established the standard behind it.
USC defeated the San Jose State Spartans 42-26 Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans led 28-0 at halftime and extended their advantage to 35-3 through three quarters before the Spartans scored 23 points against USC’s reserves in the fourth.
The late scores made the final margin appear less convincing, but USC’s starting defense controlled the game. San Jose State failed to score a touchdown until the fourth quarter and struggled to create consistent opportunities against Patterson’s unit.
Following the victory, Riley explained what has distinguished Patterson since the Hall of Fame coach took control of the Trojans’ defense in a video shared by USC on BTN on X, formerly Twitter, after the season-opening win.
“There’s just a burning desire to be great, and you feel it every single play.”
