Sports

Miller Moss struggles to stand out against revamped defense in USC spring game

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

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.

“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.”

Sports

Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in photo finish

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

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Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in photo finish

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Mystik Dan (18-1) won the 150th Kentucky Derby Saturday in a photo finish.

It was the first time in 28 years the Kentucky Derby was won by a nose and just the 10th time ever.

Track Phantom (41-1) and Just Steel (21-1) led up until the ¾-mile mark, with Fierceness, the 3-1 favorite, in third. Mystik Dan, though, held the inside right behind them.

Mystik Dan, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr., crosses the finish line to win the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Mystik Dan, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., busted through the pack after the final turn. After the turn, Fierceness fell way behind.

Mystik Dan led by several lengths in the final stretch, but Sierra Leone (9-2), the second-highest favorite, crept up from the outside, pushing Japanese horse Forever Young toward the railing.

Those three horses were within noses of each other, but it was Mystik Dan’s that crossed the line first.

Sierra Leone finished second and Forever Young finished third, while Fierceness finished 15th, 24½ lengths behind.

A general view of Churchill Downs ahead of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

This year’s race came with much less controversy than last year’s. A dozen horses died at Churchill Downs in the days, and even hours, leading up to last year’s race.

Notably absent from this year’s race was Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who’s two-year ban was extended through 2024, making this the third straight Kentucky Derby a Baffert-trained horse did not compete.

A six-time winner at the Derby, Baffert was banned after 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit was stripped of the title due to a failed post-race drug test. The horse died of a heart attack that December.

Visitors check out the new $200 million paddock at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Mystik Dan will now begin the quest for a Triple Crown at the Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course May 18.

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Sports

Sondheimer: Jonas Meskis is living the teenage dream of international surfer

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

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Sondheimer: Jonas Meskis is living the teenage dream of international surfer

Jonas Meskis, 17, acts like every day is a good day.

“I’m living the good life,” he says. “It’s incredible.”

He’s a surfer traveling the world and visiting surfing hot spots with his twin brother, Jackson.

“Oh my gosh, it’s incredible. It’s so cool,” Jonas says.

This weekend Jonas is in Surf City, El Salvador, competing at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Last month he was in British Columbia winning the Canadian junior national championship.

He’s got his own YouTube channel. He’s an influencer on TikTok and Instagram. He has an endorsement deal from a French wetsuit maker and another for Sun Mud sunscreen. He’s enrolled in an independent study program through Oak Park Independent School, leaving time for surfing in the morning or whenever.

“It’s great, all fun,” he says.

His father, Jason, is assistant principal at Oak Park High. His mother works for the school district. His brother didn’t qualify to compete in El Salvador but joins Jonas as a morning surfing partner for trips to Zuma Beach or Ventura Harbor.

Jonas says nothing produces a better adrenaline rush than riding a wave and nothing is more relaxing than sitting on a board in the middle of the ocean.

“It’s pretty cool. You’re putting yourself in a dangerous situation a lot of people couldn’t handle,” he says. “I love it so much. I like how it separates me from the regular world. I’m going to a whole different environment. I get to clear my mind. No wave is the same. It’s always new, it’s always changing.”

Jonas talks like an A student, which he is. The stereotype of surfers not being the brightest (think “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”) just doesn’t fit. He does embrace all the surfer phrases, though. He’s got the lingo down to perfection.

Moorpark resident Jonas Meskis is surfing at the World Championships in El Salvador this week.

(Jayden Beedie)

“You’re shredding” means surfing is good.

“Sick” means awesome.

“Gnarly” means large.

Surf competitions come down to finding a big wave, riding it and impressing the judges. Winning the Canadian junior championship was important to Jonas. His parents and many relatives are Canadian.

“I was so happy. I worked so hard the past three years to win that,” he said.

His parents have supported the twins by paying for trips, but Jonas works during the summer giving surfing lessons. The twins intend to enroll at Moorpark College after high school.

Teenage surfer Jonas Meskis is in El Salvador this week as part of the World Championships.

For now, Jonas is obeying a strict surfing schedule.

He started a streak of surfing every day and keeping his fans informed via social media. The streak reached 144 days Saturday, even after storms came to Southern California and made going into the water unhealthy. He brought out earplugs and a hood to wear with his wetsuit and took long showers afterward to avoid getting sick.

He has visited Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica to surf. How long he keeps competing remains to be seen. But he makes clear his love for surfing will never end.

“I don’t know how far I want to take it competitively, but I know for a fact I’ll always be surfing,” he said.

As they say in surfing lingo, that’s sick.

Sports

Tyronn Lue says it's 'great to be wanted' amid Lakers speculation; he's focused on coaching Clippers

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2024

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Tyronn Lue says it's 'great to be wanted' amid Lakers speculation; he's focused on coaching Clippers

NBA champion head coach Tyronn Lue remains focused on his future with the Los Angeles Clippers — not the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Clippers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs after the team lost 114-101 to the Dallas Mavericks May 3.

According to The Athletic, the Clippers plan to pursue a contract extension with Lue this offseason. After Friday’s loss, Lue was asked whether he expected to remain with the Clippers.

Head coach Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers talks to the media after Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks April 21, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

“I hope so. … You know, I hope so. I didn’t come here to bounce around and go all over the place,” Lue, who turned 47 Friday, said.

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The coach also spoke about his strong relationship with Clippers ownership and the front office.

“Mr. Ballmer, Lawrence (Frank, president of basketball operations), Mark Hughes (assistant general manger), Trent (Redden, general manager), Gillian (Zucker, president of business operations) … they’ve all been great to me. This is where I want to be, and hopefully they feel the same way. I haven’t had a better experience since I’ve been here. Mr. Ballmer showed me a lot of different things that I wouldn’t be privy to if I wasn’t here.”

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Lue declined to directly address speculation the Lakers would target him in their search after firing Darvin Ham.

“I don’t really have a comment on that,” Lue said when asked about his name surfacing in the Lakers’ search. “It’s great to be wanted. That’s a really good feeling. Like I said, I want to be here. Hopefully, we’re able to solidify that.”

LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Dec. 31, 2022. (Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports)

Lue has two years remaining on his contract.

The Clippers were without star forward Kawhi Leonard in four of the six games against the Mavericks due to his right knee inflammation. He missed three of five games in a first-round loss to Phoenix last year.

“I give our guys credit for just sticking with it through all the ups and downs and all the negative scrutiny and all the things that they went through this season,” Lue said. “Having to go into a series again short-handed.”

Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers during Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks April 23, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lue coached Cleveland to the 2016 NBA title with LeBron James, who left for the Lakers in free agency two years later. Lue was gone just six games — all losses — into the season after James’ departure from the Cavaliers.

Lue was an assistant on Doc Rivers’ staff with the Clippers before taking over when Rivers and the club mutually parted ways following the 2019-20 season. Rivers ended up in Philadelphia.

The Clippers reached the Western Conference finals in Lue’s first season and have a 184-134 record in the regular season under him.

“This was a good year,” Lue said. “Overall, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, outside the early ending. I like the guys in the locker room. They respect me. I respect them. I’m ready to move on to next season and get better.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.