Legendary USC quarterback believes Trojans have solved defensive struggles

Lincoln Riley teams have always been known for great offense. During his coaching tenure, he’s worked with some star-studded NFL talent, with quarterbacks Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, and Jalen Hurts to playmakers such as CeeDee Lamb and Joe Mixon.

However, Riley’s teams have always struggled on the defensive side, which is why they fired former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in the middle of the season. Former USC quarterback Matt Leinart believes the Trojans have solved some of those defensive issues in the team’s victory over LSU.

“{The defense} just looked different, it felt different,” Leinart said on FOX Sports’s “Big Noon Kickoff.” “...It’s one game, but if they can continue to build off this with Lincoln Riley and that offense, watch out for USC.”

USC hired former UCLA defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to take over the reins on defense. Lynn has experience working with a very talented Bruin unit last season, which included first-round draft pick Laiatu Latu on the defensive line.

In his debut with the Trojans, Lynn, and the defense did a great job slowing down an explosive offense with LSU and Garrett Nussmeier. The Tigers had the No. 1 offense in college football last season, led by former Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

We’ll see if the USC defense can take another step forward as they welcome Utah State to LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.