USC Football: Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP Miller Moss Talks 6-TD Night
The USC Trojans finish their 2023 season on a strong note with a win over the Louisville Cardinals in the 45th annual Holiday Bowl.
The Trojans came out on top 42-28, thanks to the arm of possibly their new QB1 moving forward, Miller Moss. Moss, the backup for the past two seasons, showed he has what it takes to be the new sheriff in town.
Moss played much like his predecessor, former Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams, as he craved up the Cardinals' defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. The redshirt sophomore put video game numbers, completing 69.7% of his passes, throwing for 372 yards, and putting up a Holiday Bowl, USC bowl, and tied a Pac-12 bowl game record with six touchdowns.
The guy was on fire from the jump; however, Moss spoke to LA Times staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen after the game and said this victory was more about the team than his individual success.
“It’s a good, positive moment,” said Moss, who was named the Holiday Bowl’s offensive most valuable player. “I still think more so for the team than for me personally. These six weeks weren’t about any individual, they were about us and the people that wanted to be here and wanted to play this game and wanted to come together.”
Moss was spectacular, but so were the others who stepped up when needed. Pass catchers like Tahj Washington, Makai Lemon, Ja'Kobi Lane, and Duce Robinson played crucial parts in the win. And on the defensive side, the defensive player of the game, Jyalin Smith, was phenomenal, recording 12 tackles, all solo. A pair of transfers, Mason Cobb and Bear Alexander, also did their job, with Cobb recording eight total tackles, and Bear got himself a sack along with four total tackles.
The defense was night and day from last seeing them against UCLA in their regular season finale. If Wednesday indicated things to come, USC fans should be beyond ecstatic. Regardless, there's no denying Moss's impact and how he stole the hearts of every single Trojan fan.
It's Miller Time, ladies and gentlemen. Let's hope he gets the opportunity now.
