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The USC Trojans Offensive Line Is So Good, The Entire Unit Is Making A 2026 Watch List

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Football

LOS ANGELES—USC's offensive line was named to the 2026 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, today (Oct. 14). The Joe Moore Award recognizes the most outstanding offensive line in college football.

In Lincoln Riley's electric offense, the USC offensive line has helped the Trojans average 310.1 passing yards per game (No. 10 in the nation), while averaging 152.3 yards on the ground. The Trojans are averaging 36.4 points per game, and USC leads the nation in first downs offense (177).

The offensive line's pass blocking has allowed USC QB Jayden Maiava to go 152-for-224 (.679) for 2,045 yards and 18 TDs. Maiava is No. 2 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in passing TDs, passing yards and points responsible for (122). He is No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (292.1).

USC's offensive line has provided strong protection for Maiava, allowing fewer than one sack per game (6 total) this season.

The line's run blocking has allowed six different Trojans to score a total of 12 rushing touchdowns so far this season.

The Trojan offensive line's chemistry and outstanding play is a testament to the development of each player in the room by USC head coach Lincoln Riley and offensive line coach Zach Hanson.

The Trojan offensive line's versatility and depth has been showcased in 2026. Prior to the first game, center Kilian O'Connor suffered a season-ending injury, and Tobias Raymond stepped into his place as the new starter. Throughout his collegiate career, Raymond has started in every position on the offensive line except right guard.

After OL Elijah Paige was ruled out during pregame warmups, freshman OL Vlad Dyakonov stepped in at left tackle against Penn State. The offense didn't miss a beat as Dyakonov performed seamlessly with the offensive line and helped Maiava have one of the best performances of his career amid the electric atmosphere of Penn State's "White Out" going 21-of-33 (.636) for 301 yards and 3 TDs as the Trojans won 31-23.

USC's offensive line set the tone and displayed ultimate poise at Penn State paving the way for 430 yards of offense and 25 first downs. The unit helped USC average 6.8 yards per play and rush for 129 yards, with King Miller topping 100 yards on the ground. It also kept Jayden Maiava upright for all but one sack on 33 pass attempts.