Good morning! Get ready for Saturday’s matchup against Penn State with a pregame preview.

What else can you find in today's edition of The Three Torches?

⚽️ Soccer holds on for a win
🏊️ USC swimming set for its home opener
⚔️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Found A Way. The No. 19 USC women's soccer team held on for a 3-2 win on the road at Illinois on Thursday night to remain unbeaten in Big Ten play at atop the conference standings. The Trojans built a 3-0 lead midway through the second half thanks to goals from Faith George, Maile Hayes and Maria Alagoa, but the Illini found a pair of goals to make things interesting down the stretch. USC moves to 10-1-2 overall with the win and 6-0-1 in Big Ten play.

🎥 See the full highlights from the Trojans’ win

🔼 Hitting The Waters. The No. 8 USC women's and No. 21 USC men's swimming programs will see action this Friday and Saturday as the Trojans host Hawaii for the two-day, three-session USC Swim Invitational at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center. The men’s team returns a pair of All-American swimmers this season in Krzysztof Chmielewski and Chris O'Grady while the women’s team returns major start talent from an undefeated 2023-24 squad, including four fifth-year All-Americans.

📚️ Read more about the season-opening meet

🔼 Quick Hits. As USC football prepares for its big game against Penn State, defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn is preparing a game plan to go up against his alma mater. Check out the latest edition of Quick Hits and hear from Lynn, as well as head coach Lincoln Riley.

🎥 Watch the latest episode of Quick Hits with Keely Eure

Today’s Top Tier Performance presented by ARCO goes to USC volleyball’s Ally Battenhorst. Despite the Trojans’ loss on Wednesday night, Battenhorst has helped the Trojans to an 11-4 overall record and leads the team in points (264), kills (224) and service aces per set (0.28).

Today’s trivia question is brought to you by Smart & Final. With more than 3,000 club-sized items and an assortment of quality, value-priced products, including farm-fresh produce, dairy, deli, meat and seafood, as well as grocery and household essentials. Smart & Final has your every need covered — all without a membership fee!

Back For More. USC Swimming is off to the races this weekend for both the men’s and women’s home opener at the USC Swim Invitational. Both teams enter the competition ranked in the top 25 with the women’s team returning some serious talent, including Olympians and All-Americans.

Our question today: can you name the returning four All-American women’s swimmers?

Think you got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

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📅 THE WEEKEND AHEAD

Friday, October 11
🏊️ Men’s Swimming @ USC Swim Invitational in Los Angeles, CA
🏊️ Women’s Swimming @ USC Swim Invitational in Los Angeles, CA
🤽‍♂️ Men’s Water Polo vs. Westcliff @ 4 p.m. in Westchester, CA
🤽‍♂️ Men’s Water Polo @ LMU @ 6 p.m. in Westchester, CA | ESPN+

Saturday, October 12
🏊️ Men’s Swimming @ USC Swim Invitational in Los Angeles, CA
🏊️ Women’s Swimming @ USC Swim Invitational in Los Angeles, CA
🏈 Football vs. Penn State @ 12:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, CA | Tickets | CBS | Listen

Sunday, October 13
⚽️ Soccer vs. Northwestern @ Noon in Evanston, IL | BIG+
🏐 Volleyball vs. UCLA @ 4:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, CA | Tickets | Big Ten Network

⚔️Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Anicka Delgado, Caroline Famous, Kaitlyn Dobler and Vasilissa Buinaia!

Kaitlyn Dobler returns for her fifth and final season alongside two-time Pac-12 50y freestyle champion and two-time Olympian Anicka Delgado. Other top returners include fifth-year All-Americans Caroline Famous and Vasilissa Buinaia. 

⚔️ Have a great weekend, everyone!