USC defense receives big boost from Kennedy Urlacher vs Fresno State
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USC defense receives big boost from Kennedy Urlacher vs Fresno State
Micah Huff, Trojans Wire·Trojans Wire
·
1 min read
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The freshmen for theUSCTrojanshave been getting a lot of attention to start the season. However, a couple of guys have used their experience to get a new opportunity this year. They have flourished. In Friday's game againstFresno State, nickel cornerKennedy Urlachermade a handful of plays.
Kennedy Urlacher is my breakout player of the game. He displayed that he can be a difference-maker for Gary Patterson this season. The Trojans could not get home and made it a tough day for the opposing quarterback last week. This week, Urlacher was a big reason why there was a night-and-day difference against Fresno State.
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Kennedy Urlacher finished Saturday's game with 3 total tackles and 2 sacks. Urlacher was also a big example of just how physical the Trojans' defense was playing. He shoved Fresno State's quarterback out of bounds on the first safety. Urlacher definitely was living up to his last name in this game.
The Trojans' secondary last week was disappointing as a whole, but this week Urlacher led the charge in making it a dominant game for that unit. Urlacher is in prime position to be a high-value guy for Gary Patterson's defense for the rest of this season.
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leaves the field against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Southern California Trojans long snapper Luke Brown (53) snaps the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Jayden Mandal (7) throws the ball against Southern California Trojans cornerback Alex Graham (7) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Waymond Jordan (2) carries the ball against Fresno State Bulldogs defensive lineman Jahzon Jacks (6) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Trent Mosley (4) s cores on a 68-yard touchdown reception against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (8) carries the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) celebrates after a touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Deshonne Redeaux (6) carries the ball on a 5-yard touchdown run against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley (left) and Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz shake hands after the game at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Kennedy Urlacher (9) leads the Spirit of Troy marching band to a rendition of Tribute to Troy after the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leaves the field against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leaves the field against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Helmets at the line of scrimmage as Southern California Trojans long snapper Luke Brown (53) snaps the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Jayden Mandal (7) throws the ball against Southern California Trojans cornerback Alex Graham (7) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Waymond Jordan (2) carries the ball against Fresno State Bulldogs defensive lineman Jahzon Jacks (6) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Trent Mosley (4) s cores on a 68-yard touchdown reception against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (8) carries the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) celebrates after a touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Deshonne Redeaux (6) carries the ball on a 5-yard touchdown run against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley (left) and Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz shake hands after the game at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/11
Photos from USC’s domination of Fresno State
Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Kennedy Urlacher (9) leads the Spirit of Troy marching band to a rendition of Tribute to Troy after the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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