Everyone knew that Miller Moss was a loyal USC Trojan, and that the quarterback sacrificed a lot to stay with the program when many others would have left town. Moss stayed when Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy and came back for the 2023 season. Moss wanted to be a USC Trojan. This was what he wanted.
Coaches noticed. Teammates noticed.
What you saw in the 2023 Holiday Bowl was a product of two primary realities: First, USC players love playing for Miller Moss. They will go to battle for him and will rally around him. This is his team, his offense, now.
Second, Lincoln Riley’s offense was great before Caleb Williams came along. Riley is the quarterback whisperer for a reason. He helped Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts before Caleb came along. After Caleb, there’s Miller Moss. Riley gave him a plan and a scheme which enabled Moss to thrive.
Look at some of the plays from Moss’s highlight reel in the Holiday Bowl, and notice some of the comments from analysts about this win over Louisville: