For the USC optimists, this season opener was supposed to be the celebrated introduction to the Trojans' new Air Raid offense. New offensive coordinator Graham Harrell and his up-tempo, simplified scheme were supposed to unlock the potential in second-year starting QB JT Daniels.
And for a few moments Saturday -- with touchdowns on the first two drives -- well, that plan was unfolding ideally.
That would not be the story of this game, though -- not at all.
USC won 31-23 over Fresno State, but the offense stalled, Daniels committed a pair of turnovers in the red zone and on the second one -- a fumble on a hard sack -- he sustained an injury to his right knee that knocked him out of the game and cast doubt on when or if he would return this season.
Daniels, who completed 25 of 34 passes for 215 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception and that fumble, immediately clutched his right knee in obvious pain and was eventually helped to the sideline and carted to the locker room while not being able to put any weight on that leg.
Freshman backup Kedon Slovis took over and showed both his potential and his youth while completing 6 of 8 passes for 57 yards and an interception. He delivered a 41-yard strike to Tyler Vaughns that set up a 2-yard Vavae Malepeai touchdown two plays later, and then a bad interception downfield on a miscommunication with Michael Pittman on the next series.
But the Trojans didn't put this game all on Slovis' young right shoulder.
Velus Jones' 101-yard kickoff return touchdown before Slovis' second series gave USC a 24-13 lead, which bumped to 31-13 late in the third quarter on that Malepeai TD.
After Slovis' subsequent interception, the Trojans leaned more heavily on the rushing attack and asked the defense to do what it could -- which was just enough.
USC opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 just across midfield and Slovis seemed to bobble the snap in the face of quick pressure in the backfield. It was supposed to be a handoff to Malepeai, but he was tackled for a loss and turnover on downs. The defense then gave up a back-breaking 36-yard completion on fourth-and-10 and looked to be in trouble, but on the next play safety Isaiah Pola-Mao darted in front of the targeted receiver in the end zone and made a game-saving interception with 1:45 left to protect that 31-23 lead.
It was enough this time to hold on for the win, but it sure wasn't pretty.
And this certainly wasn't the heralded arrival of Harrell's high-scoring offense or the launch point for a big sophomore season for Daniels. It should be known Sunday whether he has a chance to return this fall.
USC tallied 447 yards of offense, got a major special teams jolt from Jones and forced three turnovers. But that defense also let Fresno State pile up 462 yards and insert some real suspense into the outcome.
This was not the opener USC was hoping for, even if it ended in a win. And the narrative totally shifts now heading into Week 2 -- how it shifts depends on how much trust the staff truly has in Slovis moving forward and how he handles his opportunity as starting quarterback.
An opportunity no one could have envisioned coming so soon for the true freshman.
The Trojans won Saturday night, but it wasn't a celebration in the Coliseum. There were too many reminders of last season -- the offensive stumbles after a strong start, the big plays yielded on defense, etc. -- and now too many unexpected questions about this one.
