Good morning! Looking to up your tennis game? Now’s the chance to sign up for one of Coach Swain’s tennis camps this fall.

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

🏈 Two Trojans named to a national preseason award watch list
👟 Cross country announces 2024 schedule
⚔️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Watch Out. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced 96 players to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, and two USC Trojans were named to the watch list. Linebacker Mason Cobb and wide receiver Makai Lemon were each named to the award’s watch list. Both student-athletes are entering their second season with USC as the Trojans begin the 2024 season as the No. 23-ranked team in the country.

🗣️ “This award means so much to our people as it showcases the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football, and gives us an opportunity to share our culture with the world.” - Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman and Co-Founder

🔼 All Square. No. 23 USC women's soccer team opened the season with a draw, playing to a 2-2 tie on the road at New Mexico State on Thursday night. Two new additions to the Trojan lineup provided the goals for USC, with transfers Maile Hayes and Maria Alagoa each slotting one home. The Trojans are back in action on Sunday as they travel to Riverside to face California Baptist.

🔼 The Journey Begins. USC cross country is getting ready to hit the ground running on the 2024 season. The Trojans will start the season on August 30 for the season-opening meet at the Waves Invitational in Malibu, CA. USC will compete in three regular season events before competing in the team’s first-ever Big Ten Championship.

🔼 Game Day Getaway. Want to experience a Trojan football game day like a VIP? Enter the USC Game Day Getaway for an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles and a VIP experience inside The Coliseum. Enter now for a chance to win the grand prize which includes two USC football tickets, two airfare vouchers, hotel stay and more!

🔼 Quick Hits. The USC defense is emphasizing team chemistry both on and off the field on the latest episode of Quick Hits with Keely Eure. Hear from secondary coach Doug Belk and his evaluation of the Trojans’ defensive backs and their competition following the team’s 11th practice of the summer.

🎥 Watch Quick Hits with Keely Eure

Today’s Top Tier Performance presented by ARCO goes to USC football’s Emmanuel Pregnon and Zachariah Branch. The Trojan offensive lineman and return specialist/wide receiver were named to the annual College Football Freaks List. The pair came in at No. 84 and No. 49, respectively, for their athletic prowess and potential on the football field this upcoming season.

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!

The Bar Has Been Set. Getting better every day, every week and every year is a widely understood philosophy in the world of sports, and it’s no different for USC soccer as the team enters the 2024 season.

Our question today: how many games did USC soccer win during the 2023 season?

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

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

16 days until kickoff, Trojan Nation!

Two Trojans sit atop the all-time record books having scored 16 touchdowns in a single season: Dwayne Jarrett and Mike Williams. Separated by just two seasons, Jarrett (2003) and Williams (2005) turned in record-setting seasons, hauling in passes from legendary USC quarterback Matt Leinart. To no surprise, both Trojan wideouts sit in the top three spots of career receiving touchdowns with Jarrett leading the program with 41 and Williams sitting two scores back from Robert Woods.

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

Sunday, August 18
⚽️ Soccer @ California Baptist @ 7 p.m. | ESPN+ | Live Stats

⚔️Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 11!

Including the NCAA Tournament matches, USC soccer finished the 2023 season with 11 wins, three losses and five ties.

⚔️ Have a great weekend, everyone!