Sports
Miller Moss struggles to stand out against revamped defense in USC spring game
The anticipation had subsided since his storybook debut, his place as USC’s next starting quarterback all but assured after years spent patiently waiting. All that was left for Miller Moss was to close out spring practice on a high note, quieting any remaining questions about how USC would replace its Heisman winner at quarterback
But nothing about Saturday’s spring game seemed smooth for Moss, whose second impression as USC’s starter included two interceptions. Nor would it offer many answers about where USC’s offense stands in its post-Caleb Williams era.
What Saturday’s exhibition would do is provide Lincoln Riley plenty of prime examples to point to when asked about his defensive rebuild, as the much-maligned group forced four turnovers, outplaying the Trojans offense from start to finish. The defense barely needed the 24 points it was spotted at the scrimmage’s start, as it allowed just 28 from the offense, all from second- and third-team reserves.
USC’s first-team defense didn’t allow a score all afternoon, while forcing one mistake after the other from its counterpart. Its surprisingly stingy performance led to a 43-28 win for the defense, which hadn’t seen many moral victories over the past two seasons.
“I think you saw some flashes of what we’ve been doing on the practice field,” Riley said of the defense. “Obviously creating the turnovers, that was probably the story of the day, the defense making the offense pay for their mistakes.”
Two of those miscues came from Moss, who was under center for only four drives total. He had one poor throw picked off by freshman Marcelles Williams, while his second interception came in the end zone, as Prophet Brown returned it untouched for a pick-six.
The big plays made for a banner day for USC’s secondary, despite it missing two potential starters in Jaylin Smith and UCLA transfer John Humphrey. Maliki Crawford and DeCarlos Nicholson added their own interceptions to join the party, as the group flashed its newfound size and length.
“We’re being put in position to make these plays and have the freedom to go out there and play fast,” said Brown. “When it’s like that, it’s really fun to play defense.”
USC cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson deflects a pass intended for wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane during the Trojans’ spring game at the Coliseum.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Moss finally managed a touchdown pass on his final drive, finishing 16 of 21 for 133 yards. But on an afternoon that could’ve been his Coliseum coronation, the senior often seemed less sharp than his presumed backup, redshirt freshman transfer Jayden Maiava, who completed 15 of 17 passes for 172 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
It’s unlikely an exhibition alone would in any way sway Riley, who said plainly after the spring game that Moss would be the starter, if USC’s season started tomorrow.
“He’s certainly ahead right now,” he said. “There’s no question about that.”
But Riley wouldn’t close the door on the quarterback competition, either. He praised Maiava for “improving rapidly” and noted that Moss had started USC’s spring practices slowly, before finding his stride.
Riley seemed pleased with what he saw from his three quarterbacks. In Moss’ case, the coach said he assumed the quarterback would “grade out pretty darn high” when he reviewed the tape.
USC running back A’Marion Peterson scores a touchdown over linebacker Elijah Newby during the Trojans’ spring game Saturday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“It’s not that you have success once and it’s all easy after that,” Moss said. “There’s going to be ebbs and flows to this thing.”
How you then view Saturday’s spring game in that context is likely a matter of perspective. Was the offense struggling? Or was the defense dominating? Quantifying the progress of either side from an exhibition is hardly scientific.
Though, for the defense, forcing five turnovers — the last an intercepted pitch late in the game — was certainly a compelling start.
“That’s what we have to do,” safety Kamari Ramsey said. “Five picks, that’s the standard.”
Ahead of Saturday, little was known about where USC’s defense actually stood through spring. Any details of its defensive overhaul were scant. Questions about the new scheme were mostly sidestepped by coaches, while players were quiet about their new roles.
An exhibition could only add so much clarity to that picture. But if anything was to be gleaned from the new defense’s debut, it’s that confidence is high at the moment.
Considering how last season ended, that’s saying something. What it might mean by fall, however, is anyone’s guess.
“It’s definitely a night and day feeling for sure,” defensive end Jamil Muhammad said. “Now we’re hungry for more.”
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The Detroit Lions announced they have released cornerback Terrion Arnold, their 2024 first-round pick, following an arrest last week where he was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.
This comes after Arnold had his bond set at $1 million on Monday by Hillsborough County Judge Christopher Sabella.
Sabella also added conditions for Arnold, which included no contact with the six co-defendants in the case as well as the witnesses. He also must surrender his passport within 48 hours, and remain confined to his home in Tallahassee, Florida, except when he would be playing, training or traveling with the Lions or making court-related appearances.
Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field before an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Nov. 27, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The state also asked Judge Sabella for Arnold to be required to wear a GPS tracking device, but Arnold’s attorneys said he wouldn’t be able to play football with it on.
Prosecutors were pushing for Arnold to be held without bond but, though the charges are serious ones in Sabella’s eyes, he didn’t believe the case was strong enough to hold him in that fashion.
The 23-year-old Arnold was arrested in connection with an alleged kidnapping and robbery that investigators say occurred in February, the Tampa Police Department announced on June 25. Arnold turned himself in and was taken into custody at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County on Wednesday night.
TERRION ARNOLD, LIONS’ 2024 FIRST-ROUND PICK, CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AND ARMED ROBBERY IN FLORIDA
Arnold is charged with four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery.
Spokespersons for the Lions and the NFL told Fox News Digital they were aware of the situation, but wouldn’t comment any further. Now, the Lions have made their move one month before training camp kicks off across the league.
According to investigators, Arnold rented an Airbnb in Largo, Florida, where he periodically stayed with several co-defendants: Arianna Del Valle, 19; Jasmine Randazzo, 19; Lyndell Hudson II, 26; Christion Williams, 24; Boakai Hilton Jr., 23; and Freddie Hughes, 27. Authorities said other individuals also stayed at the property.
Investigators said three male victims, all in their late teens, suffered visible injuries after they were allegedly battered, held at gunpoint and pistol-whipped before being robbed and ordered to leave a residence in the 14000 block of North 46th Street in Tampa.
Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half of an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
According to investigators, multiple personal items belonging to Arnold and others were stolen from the Airbnb on Feb. 1. Authorities said Arnold suspected two of the three victims were responsible, though Tampa police later determined they were not involved in the theft.
On Feb. 3, Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another individual reported more than $250,000 in stolen property to the Largo Police Department.
Investigators allege that later that day Arnold and Hilton coordinated with Del Valle and Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to an apartment.
Police said the three victims arrived at the apartment on Feb. 4 to meet the women, where Williams and Hudson were allegedly hiding inside a bedroom closet. According to investigators, Williams and Hudson grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint and assaulted them.
Authorities said Del Valle streamed the incident to Arnold, Hilton and Hughes as they traveled to the apartment. Investigators also said they recovered a group chat involving the defendants in which Arnold and Hilton allegedly gave directions to Del Valle, Williams and Hudson during the assault.
According to investigators, Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another individual arrived at the apartment around 1 a.m. Police allege Arnold directed the group inside, and that Hughes, Hudson and Williams stole the victims’ personal property while the assault was ongoing.
Authorities said the victims were escorted from the apartment about 40 minutes later, forced into their vehicle and left the scene. They later reported the incident to Tampa police and identified the suspects.
Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions lines up before a play during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 27, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
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Investigators said they believe Arnold was the primary organizer of the alleged scheme based on evidence gathered during the investigation. However, Harvey Steinberg, one of Arnold’s attorneys, argued in court that the prosecutors were “not even close” to showing he knew or directed his associates in this incident.
Arnold was expected to be a starting corner for the Lions this season, making his release a big one for the depth chart. He recorded his first career interception this past season in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, though he was only able to play eight games because of a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
Arnold played 16 games during his rookie season in 2024, tallying 10 passes defended and 60 combined tackles.
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A Florida judge set a $1 million bond for former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, who has been in jail since being arrested last week in connection to an alleged armed attack on a group of men in Tampa, Fla., in February.
Arnold will not have to wear an ankle monitor while he awaits trail on eight felony charges of kidnapping and robbery that could keep him in prison for life if convicted, thus clearing the way for him to practice and play football during that span.
He won’t be doing so, however, with the team that drafted him at No. 24 overall in the 2024 draft. The Lions announced Monday afternoon on X that they have released Arnold, with no other details provided.
Hillsborough County Judge Christopher C. Sabella said during Monday’s hearing that Arnold already has a “paparazzi monitor” that would prevent any potential attempts to flee.
“If he is late for practice, ESPN will let us know,” Sabella said. “If he violates the conditions of his bond, he will be found.”
Arnold was ordered to remain at his Tallahassee home except for when he’s playing, training and traveling with the Lions. He also has to turn in his passport and cannot have any contact with other people tied to the case.
The Hillsborough County state attorney’s office had argued for Arnold to remain behind bars until trial. The county jail’s inmate tracker has not been updated and does not indicate if he has posted bond or been released.
According to the Tampa Police Department, Arnold is believed to be the “primary conspirator” in an alleged plot that left three young men with “visible injuries from being battered, held at gunpoint, and pistol-whipped before their personal property was stolen and they were ordered to leave.”
Arnold turned himself in Wednesday night and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing Thursday afternoon.
“Today’s ruling by Judge Sabella confirms that there is very little evidence to even suggest any criminal involvement by Mr. Arnold,” Denise White, chief executive of EAG Sports Management, which represents Arnold, said in a statement emailed to The Times.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sports
Thekla embarrasses Stardom’s Starlight Kid after retaining AEW World Women’s Championship at Forbidden Door
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Thekla has had every reason to talk as much trash as she’s done.
She made her debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) last year and quickly moved up the ladder to win the AEW Women’s World Championship in a strap match against Kris Statlander in February. She’s continued to hold the title even when three opponents were thrown her way at Double or Nothing.
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Thekla enters the ring during the women’s pro-wrestling event “Stardom” at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 13, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Thekla declared war on Stardom and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in the buildup to Forbidden Door. She demanded that Stardom send its best to challenge her at Forbidden Door, and they obliged. Starlight Kid stepped up against the “Toxic Spider” and the two put on a great match in front of the pro wrestling audience at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Thekla taunted Starlight Kid throughout the match and it appeared she got more than she bargained for at points during the match.
Starlight Kid wouldn’t stay down and gave every effort to bring the AEW Women’s World Championship back to Japan with her. Starlight Kid worked on Thekla’s knee toward the end of the match. But the champion would not quit.
Starlight Kid enters the ring during the Women’s Pro-Wrestling “Stardom” 15th Anniversary at Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, on Feb. 7, 2026. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Thekla got out of the submission hold and avoided being pinned by mere seconds. Thekla was put to the test more than any other opponent she’s faced since becoming the champion.
The “Toxic Spider” hit two stomps and finally put away Starlight Kid to retain the title.
With Stardom president Taro Okada in attendance, Thekla continued her assault against Starlight Kid. Skye Blue and Julia Hart came out to support Thekla. Hart handed Thekla a pair of scissors and the champion ripped the mask off Starlight Kid’s head and spit in it.
Thekla taunted Okada with the mask and hit the wrestling executive with it.
Thekla enters the ring during the women’s pro-wrestling event Stardom at Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, on March 8, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
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Thekla stayed the champion and added a trophy to her mantel.
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