The freshman receiver stole the show in his college debut, jolting No. 6 USC out of its offseason slumber with 232 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening 56-28 victory over San José State at the Coliseum on Saturday. Branch was the first USC player to score a touchdown off a kick return since 2019 and the first true freshman to do so since 2014. But coach Lincoln Riley publicly tempered expectations for Branch when asked of the freshman’s progress, saying nonchalantly that Branch had been working with all groups evenly. The receiver room was one of USC’s deepest positions, making it difficult for the 5-foot-10, 170-pound prospect to break through.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 27, 2023 06:19 UTC