The Three Torches 10/9: Preparing For Battle

Today, previewing Saturday’s blue blood matchup and a men’s golf recap

Author

Zach Garrett
October 09, 2024

Good Morning! USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins will be repping the swoosh for years to come after agreeing to a massive deal with Nike ahead of her 2024-25 campaign with the Women of Troy.

What else do we have brewing for you, Trojan Family?

🏈 Previewing Saturday’s blue blood matchup
⛳️ Men’s golf recap
⚔️ And much, much more!

🏈 THE ULTIMATE TAILGATE

It’s game week and you know what that means, Trojan Family! The House of Victory is hosting another epic Ultimate Tailgate, powered by The Rex, that will include photo ops with Traveler, special VIP guests, a delicious brunch menu and more! Grab your passes now and kick off game day the best way.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Battle of Blue Bloods. These epic matchups on the biggest of stages in the Coliseum are one of the many reasons why USC is the pLAce to be. The Trojans will take on the No. 4-ranked Nittany Lions on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:30 p.m. Both teams rank among the Top 10 in career wins; Penn State is seventh with 935 while USC is 10th with 878. Heading into the matchup, the Trojans hold a 6-4 advantage on the all-time matchups as they look to bounce back from a close loss against Minnesota last weekend.

🔼 Certified Fresh. Freshman Jack Buchanan posted a 71 (-1) in the final round as he competed with the leaders to the finish, settling for a runner-up finish at 12-under par. Buchanan posted the best finish by a Trojan freshman since Yuxin Lin won the Southern Highlands Invitational in 2020. USC men's golf posted a one-under-par final round for a fourth-place finish out of 15 teams.

🗣️ "We got off to a great start with Jack leading the way, followed with great second round, but just fell short today. We put ourselves in a position to win the championship with nine holes to play, and will learn from that the next time we are this position." - Mark Hankins, head coach

🔼 Familiar Foes. The 16th-ranked USC women's volleyball team heads to the Beaver State to take on No. 11 Oregon for a midweek matchup today at 6 p.m. The Women of Troy have won eight of their last nine matches including its most recent thrilling five-set win over Minnesota. Entering the matchup, USC is 58-15 all-time in the state of Oregon and has won 16 of its last 20.

Discover Lazy Dog’s new seasonal starters, entrées and cocktails, crafted to satisfy your seasonal comfort cravings! From shareables like our Street Corn Tots, to the Slow-Cooked Poblano Pork or Braised Beef Birria Noodles, it’ll be love at first bite. Don’t forget to sip on our newest cocktails like our Tequila Old Fashioned or Hibiscus Margarita. See you there – cheers!

Today’s Top Tier Performance presented by ARCO goes to Maile Hayes. The Trojan forward was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after leading the No. 19 USC soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Oregon. Hayes, who was honored during USC's pregame Senior Day ceremony, scored both goals in the win for her first brace of the season. She is the first USC player to pick up a Big Ten weekly award this season.

🗣️ SPREAD THE WORD

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📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

*All times Pacific

Wednesday, October 9
🏐 Volleyball vs. Oregon @ 6 p.m. in Eugene, OR | Big Ten Network

Thursday, October 10
🤽‍♂️ Men’s Water Polo vs. Cuesta (exhibition) @ 11 a.m. in Los Angeles, CA
⚽️ Soccer vs. Illinois @ 5 p.m. in Urbana-Champaign, IL | BIG+

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

⚔️ Have a great Wednesday, everyone!