Out of all of USC\u2019s nonconference opponents, Fresno State may be the one best prepared to play in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Bulldogs coach Matt Entz has first-hand experience after coaching the Trojans\u2019 linebackers in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talk about a historical facility,\u201d Entz told reporters. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty iconic to be able to play a game there. We\u2019ve tried to talk through all these things with our team so when we get there, we understand it\u2019s a big event. But it\u2019s still 120 yards by 53\u2153. No different from what you played on in high school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Entz returns for a 6 p.m. matchup Friday between the Trojans and Bulldogs that\u2019s filled with mutual respect.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a really good football coach and took over a proud program that\u2019s got a lot of great history and tradition in the way that they play,\u201d USC head coach Lincoln Riley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one of the schools that, other than a week when we\u2019re playing them, we all root for around here. I hope they win every other game except this one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Entz coached North Dakota State to two FCS national championships, then moved on to help improve the Trojans. USC\u2019s total defense jumped from 119th to 70th from 2023 to 2024, and the scoring defense rose from 121st to 56th.<\/p>\n
Fresno State is in its first season as a Pac-12 team as part of a major overhaul to the conference. Ten teams left the Pac-12 in 2022, including USC and UCLA, and the conference was unable to fully flesh itself out again until this season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019ll be another week of lopsided talent for the Trojans, but the Bulldogs are still going to bring the toughness that Entz has been known for at every coaching stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most overlooked and underutilized words in the English language is \u2018belief,\u2019 and so we\u2019ve been talking about it for the last 10 days,\u201d Entz said. \u201cThere has to be a belief.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to trust our process and our approach. Doesn\u2019t necessarily guarantee victory, but it\u2019ll guarantee that we\u2019re going to be competitive.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Fresno State has the ball<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs named Jayden Mandal as their starting quarterback this week. Mandal \u2013 a hometown player from Buchanan High \u2013 missed the 2025 season due to an elbow injury and didn\u2019t even throw a pass at practice. Nevertheless, Entz and the coaching staff were impressed with his timing, decision-making and accuracy during fall training camp.<\/p>\n
Fresno State will likely lean on its run game as Mandal gets re-acclimated. Returning running backs Rayshon \u201cSpeedy\u201d Luke and Bryson Donelson ran for 731 yards and 624 yards last season, respectively. They will test the Trojans\u2019 run defense and front seven, which saw a drop off in performance after the starters left the game against San Jos\u00e9 State.<\/p>\n
The defense might get a boost if edge rusher Braylan Shelby and defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart return from injury this week. More experienced players have been coaching up the younger, second- and third-string players, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s key details,\u201d USC defensive tackle Floyd Boucard said. \u201cMaking sure you stay focused on knowing everything that\u2019s going on, making sure you get your call, know your call, and then also just know who you\u2019re playing with.\u201d<\/p>\n
When USC has the ball<\/p>\n
The coaching staff sent out three freshmen receivers to start the season opener: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Trent Mosley<\/a> and Tron Baker. Tight end Mark Bowman was another freshman starter.<\/p>\n If Tanook Hines doesn\u2019t return from injury this week, the Trojans could dial up the same combination. The updated depth chart indicates that Baker, Hines and Corey Simms are all possibilities at outside receiver.<\/p>\n