USC’s football team will be without its breakout star for its first Big Ten game.
In a startling development that qualified as the first adversity of the Trojans’ season, freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley was listed as out Wednesday on the first Big Ten availability report of the season.
Coach Lincoln Riley told reporters that Mosley – his team’s leading receiver – developed an issue that needed to be looked at after USC’s victory over Louisiana last weekend.
“Don’t expect it to be extremely long-term,” said Riley, whose team faces Rutgers (0-2) on Saturday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J., “but still a little inconclusive on his [timetable] depending on how he responds. We’ll see, but he’s certainly not going to be ready this week.”
Mosley leads No. 12 USC (3-0) with 13 catches for 255 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown last weekend against the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Mosley is only the sixth Big Ten freshman to have caught a touchdown pass in each of his first three games since 2000, joining Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith (2024), Purdue’s Jackson Anthrop (2017), Indiana’s Ted Bolser (2010), Penn State’s Deon Butler (2005) and Indiana’s James Hardy (2005).
USC will also be without center Kilian O’Connor – who is out for the season with an injury suffered in training camp – as well as a slew of backups in safety Kendarius Reddick, wide receiver Roderick Tezeno, tight end Taniela Tupou, defensive tackle Brendan Cho and linebackers Shaun Scott, Elijah Newby and Taylor Johnson.
Backup safety Madden Riordan was listed as doubtful and defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, running back Deshonne Redeaux and linebacker Jadyn Walker were listed as questionable.
Rutgers will be without defensive back Kevin Levy and defensive lineman Jyon Simon.
