USC running game hits record low in Wisconsin loss

USC football posted a rushing total of negative 17 yards during its Saturday game in Wisconsin, marking the Trojans' lowest single-game rushing performance since October 9, 1999. The result was the second-best defensive showing against the run in Wisconsin school history. The loss has forced the program to address a noticeable decline in its rushing attack, particularly regarding explosive plays, since the previous season.

USC currently ranks 13th among 18 Big Ten teams with an average of 131 rushing yards per game. The team has recorded 37 runs of 10 or more yards, five runs of 20 or more, and only one run of more than 30 yards. This contrasts sharply with last season, when the rushing attack ranked sixth in the conference. Freshman King Miller and junior college transfer Waymond Jordan combined for 70 runs of 10 or more yards in 13 games last year, including 11 runs between 40 and 79 yards.

Miller, a former walk-on, attributed the lack of explosiveness to a need to return to fundamental techniques. He stated that the team must go back to the drawing board and execute better. The offensive line has performed well despite injuries, including Tobias Raymond moving to center after Kilian O'Connor suffered a season-ending knee injury. Elijah Paige earned midseason All-American honors for pass blocking. However, adjustments at left guard may be affecting run protection and pulls.

Raymond noted that the team needed to be more physical at the point of attack but acknowledged other factors contributed to the poor performance. He cited post-snap communication issues as a key element the team did not handle well enough to win the game.

The running back rotation has changed this season. Miller leads the team with 622 yards, while Jordan has 291 yards. Jordan did not play against Wisconsin despite being in uniform, and Riley Wormley also sat out. Jordan is still working to regain form after an ankle injury last season that cost him seven games. He rushed for 576 yards in five games last year before the injury.

Miller is on pace for a 1,000-yard season after adding 10 pounds of weight in the offseason. He has broken 42 tackles, with only 15 of his 125 carries stuffed. His yards per carry have dropped from 6.2 last season to 5.6 this year. The coaching staff is also developing redshirt freshman Wormley, along with true freshmen Shahn Alston and Deshonne Redeaux, to keep the primary backs fresh.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava has shifted fully to a pocket passer role, significantly reducing his rushing attempts. His rushing yards have fallen from 157 in 2025 to negative 62 this season. The team has also altered its personnel packages. USC ran 12 personnel, which features two tight ends, 316 times last season but only 114 times this year. Last year, tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons provided extra blocking that helped open gaps for the running backs. This season, the drop in 12 personnel usage may limit those opportunities for explosive runs.

Maiava has compensated by becoming one of the Big Ten's most efficient passers. He leads the conference with 287.8 passing yards per game and ranks third in completion percentage at 66.8%. The Wisconsin game was his only multi-interception game of the season. He has passed for at least 300 yards in three games. The next scheduled challenge for the Trojans is a matchup against No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Indiana, both of which feature strong defenses.