Utah
USC Trojans vs Utah State: Instant Analysis, Lincoln Riley Establishing Team Identity
Instant Reaction:
The USC Trojans came out the gate very aggressively in the run game. Running back Woody Marks piled up 49 yards on three attempts on the first drive alone.The mentality to come out and impose their will was clear, and the zone and power run schemes have always been integral elements of Lincoln Riley’s offense. However, the Trojans appear to be making those running concepts an emphasis this season.
The Trojans ran for 142 yards in the first quarter, their most in the first quarter since 2018. Marks’ 103 first-half yards were the most by a Trojan player since Ronald Jones in 2017. With the switch to the Big Ten and the amount of National Football League coaches added to the staff, the identity of the Trojans is beginning to take shape. They want to be physically dominant on both sides.
Tight End Truthers:
Tight ends can be the ultimate Swiss Army knife in a balance offense. The Trojans have made a concerted effort to get their tight ends involved. Lake McRee, coming off a five-reception 56-yard performance against LSU, looked like he was a major part of the game plan. In the first three drives, McRee had two catches for 43 yards.
The Trojans also featured him on the perimeter in the passing game as a lead blocker. Having a big body out there that’s athletic enough to move his feet and get into position without being susceptible to holding calls is a huge advantage for any offense.
McRee did have a fumble in the second quarter. A Utah State defender punched the ball out from behind while he was running for a huge gain and he never saw it. He’ll want that one back, but it’s a tough play. Taking care of the ball is always important, but the looks will force defenses in the future to game-plan for McRee which will open up other opportunities.
D’Anton’s Defense:
The Trojans’ defense led by defense coordinator D’Anton Lynn is doing a fantastic job of showing multiple looks, especially on obvious passing downs. On a third and nine early in the first quarter, he showed a simulated pressure where he blitzed linebacker Eric Gentry and dropped an interior defensive lineman.
It’s those type of looks that can influence offensive coordinators to reduce the play sheet. Quarterbacks and offensive linemen are on high alert for the rest of the game, and it can cause problems long past the initial call.
Tackling in space continues to be a strong point for the defense and the defensive backs in particular. Only two games in, but one of the biggest weaknesses from the last two Trojans’ teams looks like it will be one of the biggest strengths this season.
The Trojan defense earned a shutout for the first time since 2011 for their efforts and held the Utah State offense to only 190 total yards and 87 rushing yards.
“I’m excited about the defensive performance,” said Lincoln Riley in the on-field post-game interview. How could he not be after the first two games?
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KANOSH, Utah — The United States Geological Survey recorded multiple earthquakes near Kanosh Sunday morning, each of them having an average magnitude of 3.0.
The first earthquake, magnitude 3.0, was detected just after 12:30 a.m., with the epicenter located half a mile south of Kanarraville.
The second quake, magnitude 3.2, was detected around 5:45 a.m., with the epicenter nearly five miles south-southwest of Kanosh. This was followed by two more quakes in the same area, a magnitude 2.5 quake coming in around 6:35 a.m., followed by a third around 7:45 a.m, which measured at magnitude 3.3.
This has since been followed by another quake, measuring at magnitude 3.7, being detected around 8:45 a.m. The geographic location in the USGS report places the epicenter approximately over two miles south of the Dry Wash Trail, about six miles south-southwest of Kanosh.
FOX 13 News previously spoke with researchers at University of Utah, who said that earthquake swarms are relatively common. A study published in 2023 posits that swarms may be triggered by geothermal activity. The findings came after a series of seismic swarms were detected in central Utah, within the vicinity of three geothermal power plants.
The study also says that the swarms fall into a different category than aftershocks that typically follow large quakes, such as the magnitude 5.7 earthquake that hit the Wasatch Fault back in 2020.
Utah
Embattled Utah Rep. Trevor Lee loses county GOP convention — but wins enough support to make primary
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Schultz said lawmakers asked the attorney general to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery against Lee.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, running for reelection, addresses delegates during the Davis County Republican Party nominating convention at Syracuse High School on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Also from Utah Eats: A Utah baker ends his run on a Food Network competition; Lucky Slice’s territory grows.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Yeti, a Himalayan-themed bar in Cottonwood Heights, is pictured on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
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