In a Week 1 victory over LSU, USC linebacker Eric Gentry delivered a pivotal play in the fourth quarter. With USC trailing 17-13, Gentry shed a block and tackled LSU running back John Emery in the backfield on a critical third-and-1, resulting in a 1-yard loss. It was one of his two tackles for loss in the Trojans’ 27-20 win. This moment showcased the newfound defensive toughness under first-year coordinator D’Anton Lynn. The stop forced LSU to punt, and USC’s offense capitalized by scoring the go-ahead touchdown, marking a major victory in Lincoln Riley’s third year as head coach.
However, USC’s defensive progress has come under scrutiny halfway through the 2024 season. On Tuesday, Gentry announced he will redshirt due to multiple concussions, while Riley revealed defensive end Anthony Lucas will miss the rest of the season due to an injury suffered in a 33-30 overtime loss to Penn State. These losses come as USC (3-3, 1-3 Big Ten) faces a challenging schedule, including a trip to Maryland—its fifth in seven Big Ten games without a bye.
Lucas, who had 16 tackles in six games, showed tremendous potential, particularly in Week 1, where his versatility shone against a top LSU offensive line. Despite these setbacks, Riley remains hopeful, emphasizing the chance for others to step up.
USC’s defense has seen mixed results. They rank sixth nationally in third-down defense, but they’ve struggled on fourth downs, which hurt them in losses to Minnesota and Penn State. As the Trojans attempt to salvage their season, they must prove they can regain their defensive momentum without key contributors like Gentry and Lucas.
