3 big winners and 2 losers from USC's commanding 49-30 win over Louisiana

The Trojans performed exactly as expected throughout their non-conference schedule. They finished undefeated, allowing their talented freshmen to audition for depth chart roles while securing valuable reps before the Big Ten slate begins against Rutgers next week.

Louisiana was never going to pose a serious challenge, and USC was never in any danger of dropping this game. However, the performance left the fanbase wanting more, so here are three winners and losers from this matchup.

Winner: Mark Bowman's role in this USC offense

Mark Bowman entered this matchup with just six catches through the first two games. On Saturday night against Louisiana, he matched that total by setting a new career high in receiving yards while hauling in two touchdowns.

While Bowman will surely surpass his 83-yard total in future performances, the offense clearly ran through the true freshman tight end in the early stages of this contest. Playing with a poise that dwarfs his age,

Bowman showcased elite blocking, crisp route running, and the ability to secure difficult catches in tight windows. As another standout from this impressive freshman class, Bowman has firmly established himself as a constant presence in the Trojans’ rotation. If he maintains this level of play, he will undoubtedly be a lethal weapon for USC as they head into Big Ten conference action.

Winner: Special teams cashes in...with one exception

They say, "This is why we can’t have nice things," and that sentiment certainly applied to USC's special teams on Saturday. While the Trojans saw impressive highlights, specifically a punt return touchdown from Trent Mosley and a blocked punt by Alex Graham, the unit was shadowed by a costly roughing the kicker penalty.

That mistake negated a missed field goal and ultimately gifted the Ragin’ Cajuns a touchdown. While that mistake is frustrating and must be corrected immediately, it has been a long time since special teams functioned as a true strength for a Lincoln Riley-led squad. If USC wants to make a serious push for the College Football Playoff, the special teams unit must maintain its newfound playmaking ability while eliminating these self-inflicted wounds.

Winner: The ground game came to play

The Trojans finally registered a 100-yard rusher this season, as King Miller tallied 128 yards on 18 carries, representing an impressive average of 7.1 yards per attempt. Collectively, the team racked up 222 rushing yards on 40 carries. While the ground game has not been as explosive as anticipated during the early portion of the schedule, this performance marks a significant step in the right direction. Establishing this dominance on the line of scrimmage will remain a top priority for USC as the team prepares for the challenges of conference play.

Loser: Depth on defense is still an issue

While it is true that many of the players conceding big plays and touchdowns are backups who likely won't see significant snaps in marquee matchups, the concern remains valid. USC has effectively treated the first three games as extended scrimmages, using them to evaluate personnel and build depth for the future.

However, opponents are still finding little resistance through the air. Although Gary Patterson’s starting defense has been lights out, college football is a war of attrition where depth is king. The recurring lapses in coverage over the first three weeks have understandably created lingering doubt among the fanbase as the team prepares for the difficulties of a full season.

Loser: The FG kicking unit is waiting patiently

Despite the Trojans’ dominant 3-0 start to the season, the kicking unit has yet to attempt a single field goal. While it is always positive to reach the end zone, the lack of real-game reps for the field goal unit is a minor concern. In high leverage situations, reliable special teams play is essential, and currently, USC’s ability to convert in pressure filled moments remains an unknown variable that likely won’t be tested until at least the fourth game of the season.

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