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.”
It’s time to reveal memories, laughs and crazy times from Randy Rosenbloom’s 55 years as a TV/radio broadcaster in Los Angeles. He’s hopping in a car next Sunday with his wife, saying goodbye to a North Hollywood house that’s been in his family since 1952 and driving 3,300 miles to his new home in Greenville, S.C.
“When I walk out, I’ll probably break down,” he said.
He graduated from North Hollywood High in 1969. He got his first paid job in 1971 calling Hart basketball games for NBC Cable Newhall for $10 a game. It began an adventure of a lifetime.
“I never knew if I overachieved or underachieved. I just did what I loved,” he said.
Randy Rosenbloom (left) used to work with former UCLA coach John Wooden for TV games.
(Randy Rosenbloom)
John Wooden, Jerry Tarkanian and Jim Harrick were among his expert commentators when he did play by play for college basketball games. He called volleyball at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games for NBC and rowing in 2004. He’s worked more than 100 championship high school events. He did play by play for the first and only Reebok Bowl at Angel Stadium in 1994 won by Bishop Amat over Sylmar, 35-14.
“There were about 5,000, 6,000 people there and I remember thinking nobody watched the game. We ended up with a 5.7 TV rating on Channel 13 in Los Angeles, which is higher than most Lakers games.”
He conducted interviews with NFL Hall of Famers Gale Sayers and Johnny Unitas and boxing greats Robert Duran, Thomas Hearn and Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s worked with baseball greats Steve Garvey and Doug DeCinces. He called games with former USC coach Rod Dedeaux. He was in the radio booth for Bret Saberhagen’s 1982 no-hitter in the City Section championship game at Dodger Stadium. He was a nightly sportscaster for KADY in Ventura.
Randy Rosenbloom, left, with his volleyball broadcast partners, Kirk Kilgour and Bill Walton.
(Randy Rosenbloom)
He was the voice of Fresno State football and basketball. He also did Nevada Las Vegas football and basketball games. He called bowl games and Little League games. He was a public address announcer for basketball at the 1984 Olympic Games with Michael Jordan the star and did the P.A. for Toluca Little League.
Nothing was too small or too big for him.
“I loved everything,” he said.
He called at least 10 East L.A. Classic football games between Garfield and Roosevelt. He was there when Narbonne and San Pedro tied 21-21 in the 2008 City championship game at the Coliseum on a San Pedro touchdown with one second left.
Probably his most notable tale came when he was doing radio play-by-play at a 1998 college bowl game in Montgomery, Ala.
“I look down and a giant tarantula is crawling up my pants,” he said. “My color man took all the press notes, wadded them up and hit the tarantula like swinging a bat.”
Did Rosenbloom tell the audience what was happening?
“I stayed calm,” he said.
Then there was the time he was in the press box at Sam Boyd Stadium and a bat flew in and attached itself to the wooden press box right next to him before flying away after he said, “UNLV wins.”
Recently, he’s been putting together high school TV packages for LA36 and calling travel ball basketball games. He’ll still keep doing a radio gambling show from his new home, but he’s cutting ties to Los Angeles to move closer to grandchildren.
“I’m retiring from Los Angeles. I’m leaving the market,” he said.
Hopefully he’ll continue via Zoom to do a weekly podcast with me for The Times.
He’s a true professional who’s versatility and work ethic made him a reliable hire from the age of 18 through his current age of 74.
He’s a member of the City Section Hall of Fame and the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He once threw the shot put 51 feet, 7 1/2 inches, which is his claim to fame at North Hollywood High.
One time an ESPN graphic before a show spelled his name “Rosenbloom” then changed it to “Rosenblum” for postgame. It was worth a good laugh.
He always adjusts, improvises and ad-libs. He expects to enjoy his time in South Carolina, but he better watch out for tarantulas. They seem to like him.
Sports
Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42
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LAS VEGAS – Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.
Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.
Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.
Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.
Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.
WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’
AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.
Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.
Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.
The Clippers’ season has come to an end but better than anyone expected. No consolation but a great job by head coach Tyronn Lue for guiding the Clippers from a disastrous 6-21 start and finishing with more than 40 wins.
Coach Lue led the team, overcoming major obstacles throughout the season with a player investigation, injuries, internal strife and major roster changes at the trade deadline. As usual for Clipper fans, wait till next year.
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The Clippers are the NBA’s version of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Yes, they have had 15 straight seasons of playing .500 or better, and owner Steve Ballmer has brought them respectability, but for their entire 56-year existence — which has contained many clowns and jokers — they still have never [attained] their goal of winning (or even reaching) the NBA Finals.
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