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Miller Moss led USC to a thrilling 27-20 victory over LSU in a dramatic season opener. With the spotlight on him after Caleb Williams' departure, Moss embraced the pressure and delivered a performance that placed him firmly on the radar of NFL scouts.
Miller Moss: He Played At a Top 10 NFL Draft-Level Vs. LSU
Moss's performance against LSU was nothing short of spectacular. He threw for 378 yards, completing 75% of his passes (27 of 36), and led two crucial touchdown drives late in the game. This victory marked a significant moment not just for Moss but for the entire USC program under Lincoln Riley.
Progression and Game Context
Throughout the game, Moss demonstrated his poise and ability to deliver in clutch situations, guiding USC to crucial scores when it mattered most:
First Quarter:
1st and 10 on USC 3 (Q1 07:46): 1-1, 9 Yards – Moss started strong, completing a 9-yard pass to Zachariah Branch, giving USC some breathing room from deep in their territory.
2nd and 1 on USC 12 (Q1 07:46): 2-2, 8 Yards – Moss quickly followed up with an 8-yard completion to Lake McRee, moving the chains and continuing the drive.
3rd and 2 on USC 28 (Q1 05:57): 3-3, -1 Yards – Faced with a third down, Moss's pass to Woody Marks was stopped for a loss, forcing a punt.
Second Quarter:
1st and 10 on USC 13 (Q2 14:49): 4-4, 17 Yards – Moss connected with McRee again, this time for 17 yards, advancing USC out of a tight spot.
2nd and 11 on USC 29 (Q2 14:14): 5-5, 19 Yards – Moss completed a 19-yard pass to Branch, continuing to move the ball effectively.
1st and 10 on LSU 41 (Q2 12:02): 7-8, 24 Yards – Moss found Kyron Hudson for a 24-yard gain, putting USC in striking distance.
1st and 10 on LSU 43 (Q2 06:56): 8-9, 38 Yards – A deep strike to Dorian Robinson for 38 yards showed Moss's ability to connect on big plays.
Second Quarter (continued):
2nd and 24 on LSU 24 (Q2 05:08): 9-10, 19 Yards – Moss responded to adversity with a 19-yard pass to Zachariah Branch, setting up a manageable third down.
3rd and 5 on LSU 5 (Q2 04:55): 9-11 – Moss's pass to Kyron Hudson was incomplete, leading to a field goal attempt.
1st and 10 on USC 25 (Q2 01:08): 10-12, 9 Yards – Moss hit Hudson for 9 yards, setting up a potential scoring drive before halftime.
3rd and 1 on USC 34 (Q2 00:41): 11-13, 3 Yards – Moss found Woody Marks for a short 3-yard gain, converting the first down and keeping the drive alive.
1st and 10 on USC 37 (Q2 00:34): 12-14, 5 Yards – Moss connected with McRee for 5 yards, continuing to move USC down the field.
2nd and 5 on USC 42 (Q2 00:23): 13-15, 22 Yards – Moss found Makai Lemon for a 22-yard gain, setting up USC in scoring range.
Third Quarter:
3rd and 3 on USC 32 (Q3 15:00): 13-17 – Moss's pass to Lemon was incomplete, forcing a punt.
1st and 10 on USC 23 (Q3 11:27): 14-18, 41 Yards – Moss delivered under pressure, hitting Kyron Hudson for a crucial 41-yard gain on third down, flipping the field position.
3rd and 10 on USC 23 (Q3 11:27): 14-20, 41 Yards – Moss continued to show his poise, with a big completion to Hudson in a critical situation.
2nd and 12 on LSU 38 (Q3 11:27): 15-21, 4 Yards – Moss connected with Hudson again, though for only 4 yards, setting up third down.
1st and 10 on LSU 19 (Q3 11:27): 15-22 – Moss's pass was incomplete, leading to another third down.
3rd and 18 on USC 12 (Q3 03:38): 16-23, 11 Yards – Moss found Robinson for an 11-yard completion, though it wasn’t enough for the first down, showcasing his composure in long-yardage situations.
Fourth Quarter:
2nd and 11 on USC 14 (Q4 13:25): 17-24, 19 Yards – Moss connected with McRee for 19 yards, kickstarting a critical drive in the fourth quarter.
1st and 10 on USC 33 (Q4 13:25): 18-25, 17 Yards – Moss found Ja'Kobi Lane for a 17-yard gain, moving the chains in a key moment.
1st and 10 on LSU 50 (Q4 13:25): 19-26, 7 Yards – Moss kept the momentum going with a 7-yard pass to McRee, setting up a manageable second down.
2nd and 3 on LSU 43 (Q4 13:25): 20-27, 6 Yards – Moss moved the chains again with a 6-yard pass to Kyron Eldridge, setting up another key fourth-quarter drive.
4th and 9 on LSU 36 (Q4 08:45): 20-29 – Moss's pass to Lemon was incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.
1st and 10 on USC 36 (Q4 06:57): 21-30, 20 Yards – Moss found Hudson for a 20-yard gain, keeping USC's hopes alive.
1st and 10 on LSU 28 (Q4 06:57): 22-31, 28 Yards, TD – Moss capped off a clutch drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Kobi Lane, giving USC the lead with under seven minutes to play.
2nd and 15 on LSU 47 (Q4 00:18): 27-37, 20 Yards – On a critical 2nd and 15, Moss delivered a 20-yard strike to Hudson, setting up the game-winning touchdown.
Passing Depths and Efficiency
Moss's efficiency across various passing depths was notable, particularly his success on intermediate and deep throws:
Deep Routes (20+ yards): 100% completion rate, 112 yards, 1 TD
Medium Routes (10-19 yards): 86% completion rate, 126 yards
Short Routes (0-9 yards): 86% completion rate, 94 yards
Behind LOS: 63% completion rate, 46 yards
Moss’s deep passing was particularly impressive, with an average depth of target (aDOT) of 25.5 yards on deep throws. He managed a passer rating of 158.3 on these plays, demonstrating his ability to make big plays when the situation called for it.
Handling Pressure and Execution
Moss's ability to handle pressure was a key component of his success against LSU. Despite facing blitzes on 48% of his dropbacks, Moss maintained composure and delivered:
Kept Clean: 74% completion rate, 356 yards, 1 TD
Under Pressure: 50% completion rate, 22 yards
When Blitzed: 61% completion rate, 170 yards
Moss’s time to throw (TTT) has improved year over year since his arrival at USC, a crucial factor in his effectiveness. In this game, his TTT was 2.35 seconds, down from 2.55 seconds in 2023, indicating quicker decision-making and a refined sense of timing in the pocket.
Miller Moss Proves He Can be The Top QB Drafted
Miller Moss’s Week One performance against LSU was a statement. His poise, decision-making, and clutch play under pressure are exactly what NFL scouts look for in a top quarterback prospect. As the 2024 season progresses, Moss has the opportunity to solidify his status as a top NFL Draft prospect. For now, though, Moss and the Trojans will focus on building on this monumental win as they prepare for the challenges ahead.