Here is your news roundup for Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
One trend across college football this year has been for players who are not content with their situation to voluntarily redshirt with the intention to enter the transfer portal as former USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander did. Now, the Trojan football team is being forced to deal with the redshirt of another key defenisve player, one who is far more important than Alexander was.
Tuesday, linebacker Eric Gentry announced his intention to sit out the remainder of the season and use this year as a redshirt. However, Gentry is not upset with his role on the team but rather, he has had his hand forced by concussion-related issues.
Gentry has not played since USC’s win over Wisconsin on September 28. However, he remains tied for third on the team in tackles with 30 and his 2.0 sacks are the best on the roster.
Needless to say, this is a huge loss for a Trojan defense that has faced questions in recent weeks. Without Gentry on the field, USC has given up an average of 28.5 points per game in the last two weeks. That includes 33 points surrendered to Penn State in its most recent game. Over that span, USC is 0-2.
Gentry’s decision wasn’t the only hit the USC defense took this week. Head coach Lincoln Riley announced that starting defensive end Anthony Lucas will miss the remainder of the season with a leg injury that will require surgery.
The former Texas A&M transfer had been USC’s best and most consistent defensive end. In six games played, he racked up 16 tackles (5 solo).
It has not been the most productive year for the Trojan defensive ends as a whole, though. The team’s top three defensive ends (Lucas, Jamil Muhammad, and Braylan Shelby) have combined for just 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Now, to replace Lucas, true freshman Kameryn Fountain could get his first opportunity to make an impact. He was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024 and one of the jewels of the program’s most recent recruiting haul. Now, he’ll be asked to step up and help fill Lucas’s shoes.
Steve Miller, a 3-star safety from Georgia was in attendance for USC’s game against Penn State. Now, he’s set to become a Trojan after giving his verbal commitment to Lincoln Riley’s program.
Previously, Miller was part of Mississippi State’s recruiting haul. He had been committed to the Bulldogs since June of this year.
According to 247Sports.com, Miller is the No. 46 safety prospect in the country. In addition to USC and Mississippi State, he has offers from the likes of LSU, Kansas, Arkansas, Indiana, NC State, Tennessee, West Virginia, and others.
Tuesday night in L.A., the Trojan basketball team took on UTSA in its first of two exhibition games this season. Picking up an 84-63 win, USC began the Eric Musselman era the right way.
The starting lineup consisted of guards Eric Claude and Chibuzo Agbo and forwards Terrance Williams III, Saint Thomas, and Josh Cohen.
With 21 points and two assists, Thomas led the way for USC. Meanwhile, Claude had 14 points and Cohen had 10.
For the game, USC shot 54.9% while UTSA managed to shoot just 38.7% from the floor. The Trojans next take the court October 26 in Palm Desert, CA in an exhibition game against Gonzaga.