Four takeaways from USC’s win over Nevada: Trojans’ defense steps up despite injuries

USC is doing just fine without Jordan Addison.

The Vikings rookie dominated the receiving spotlight for the Trojans last season, but this year’s team is content to thrive on depth. USC had 12 players catch a pass in the season opener and 14 in Saturday’s blowout. No receiver has hauled in more than four catches in a single game.

“This group of recievers [sic] is special,” receiver Brenden Rice tweeted after the game. “Anyone can eat at any given moment. What’s even crazier is that any of these guys could be the number 1 receiver at any other school and we all together.”

With two touchdowns Saturday, Tahj Washington has the team-lead in touchdowns with three and 160 yards, but he was most excited to answer a question about blocking downfield for his fellow receivers. The selfless attitude is one of the reasons his teammates would “ride or die” for the transfer from Memphis, quarterback Miller Moss said.

“Tahj is just the man. I don’t know how else to put it,” said Moss, who entered late in the third quarter and completed seven of 10 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown. “There’s so many things that you don’t see that he does, whether it’s on special teams, blocking on the perimeter, and it’s no surprise to see him shine the way he does. The dude never complains, never whines about not getting the ball, always does his job at a super, super high level.”