Good morning! A familiar face was named QB1 heading into the first NFL preseason games.

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

🏅 Cockrell, Norman, Jones all advance to event finals
🏈 Marks named to Doak Walker Preseason Watch List
⚔️ And much, much more!

🏅 TROJANS IN PARIS

USC will have five Women of Troy in line for water polo medals after successful Olympic quarterfinal action today for Australia, Spain and the United States. For the full Day 12 recap, click here.

🤽‍♀️ With semifinal slots secured for their respective teams, Tilly Kearns (Australia), Anni Espar (Spain), Emily Ausmus (USA), Kaleigh Gilchrist (USA) and Amanda Longan (USA) have ensured that USC will have a presence on the women's water polo podium in Paris by week's end. Each Woman of Troy will continue the quest for gold in the semifinal round on August 8.

👟 Both Jasmine Jones and Anna Cockrell advanced to the women’s 400m hurdles final after turning in times of 53.83 and 52.90, respectively. The Trojan duo raced the third and seventh fastest times during the semifinal round, and will now meet in the final for a chance at gold on August 8 at 12:25 p.m.

💨 Michael Norman (USC, 2019) took second in his men's 400m semifinal heat with a time of 44.26 to automatically advance to the final. The former USC athlete was fifth on time among the qualifiers to the final which is today at 12:20 p.m.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Watch Out. USC running back Woody Marks was selected to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List, an award presented annually to the nation's most outstanding college running back. Marks, a skilled running back who transferred to USC in the spring of 2024 from Mississippi State, looks to be an impact player in the Trojan backfield as a redshirt senior.

Over his four-year career at Mississippi State, the Trojans’ new back recorded 410 carries for 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also tallied 214 receptions, the first player in MSU history to reach the mark, and added 1,225 yards.

🔼 Dreamers and Go-Getters. During Big Ten media days, women’s volleyball head coach Brad Keller expressed his desire for the type of student-athletes he wants competing for the Cardinal and Gold. Check out his interview with the head honcho on the Big Ten Network.

🎥 More from Coach Keller

🔼 Gotta Watch Them All. Single-game tickets for USC Football home games against Utah State, Wisconsin and Rutgers are available now! With tickets starting at $55, act fast before they’re all gone.

Today’s Top Tier Performance presented by ARCO goes to Maribel Flores who was announced to Mexico’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup roster. The Trojan sophomore was one of the forwards named to the 25-player squad. No stranger to the bright lights, Flores scored eight goals and had seven assists in the 2022 U17 CONCACAF Tournament and helped Mexico to a U20 CONCACAF Championship in 2023.

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

25 days until kickoff, Trojan Family!

Following the release of the highly-anticipated College Football 25, here is how EA Sports ranked the top ten Trojans heading into the 2024 season:

1. Jonah Monheim, OL

2. John Humphrey, CB

3. Bear Alexander, DT

4. Zachariah Branch, WR

5. Decarlos Nicholson, CB

6. Kamari Ramsey, FS

7. Emmanuel Pregnon, OL

8. Miller Moss, QB

9. Jamil Muhammed, DE

10. Lake McRee, TE

REVELxp offers premium full-service tailgate experiences conveniently located steps away from the stadium!

They handle everything from setup to takedown of the tailgate gear, ensuring a hassle-free experience for guests. Additionally, they will coordinate food and beverage services via a variety of premium catering options in the area. Whether it's friends and family gatherings, university department outings, or corporate events, they have you covered! You just have to show up, have fun, and then head to the game!

🗣️ SPREAD THE WORD

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times Pacific

Saturday, August 10
⚽️ Soccer vs. Long Beach State @ TBD in Carson, CA

Friday, August 30
🏐 Volleyball vs. Pepperdine @ 6:00pm in Malibu, CA

Sunday, September 1
🏈 Football vs. LSU @ 4:30pm in Las Vegas, NV | Tickets

⚔️ Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

⚔️ Have a great Wednesday, everyone!