USC’s Week Zero game against San Jose State on Saturday night meant that college football fans got their first look at Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams in a competitive game since January’s Cotton Bowl Classic. It’s safe to say, he’s still pretty good.
The 2023 season could be huge for Williams. He’s currently expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Beyond that, Williams has a chance at becoming only the second player in college football history to win multiple Heisman Trophies. And if the rest of the season goes like Saturday’s game did for Williams, that will be a distinct possibility.
Williams finished the day 18-for-25 passing, throwing for 278 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. With the game tied 7-7 in the second quarter, Williams fumbled the snap on a shotgun. Not only did he manage to avoid disaster by picking the ball up, but he went deep to receiver Tahj Washington, connecting for a 76-yard touchdown pass.
.@CalebCSW delivers a strike to @tahj_washington for the score!
📺: @Pac12Network
📱: https://t.co/H8gtm99ygy pic.twitter.com/bPYClCNO7g— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) August 27, 2023
Williams’ performance left college football fans impressed.
Caleb Williams had an INSANE season debut tonight.
• 18/25 (72%)
• 278 yards
• 4 passing TD’s
• 148.0 passer rating
• led six scoring drives (all TD’s)The potential first overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft is off to a HOT start.
A second consecutive Heisman Trophy… pic.twitter.com/JJAuLhwBdI
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 27, 2023
#USC QB Caleb Williams proved why he’s the heisman front runner and projected number one overall pick in his 2023 debut
– 18/25 pass completions
– 278 passing yards
– 4 passing touchdowns
– 6 scoring drives
– 148 passer ratingHe’s a superstar. pic.twitter.com/yvyyDogPVN
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 27, 2023
Caleb Williams oh my god pic.twitter.com/d4rgXFjpon
— 𝙻̷𝚞̷𝚜̷ 📯 (@Theylovelus) August 27, 2023
What can’t Caleb Williams do? My goodness pic.twitter.com/3F7RHvBYW1
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) August 27, 2023
What’s particularly notable about Williams’ performance is that while USC did finish with a decisive 56-28 victory, his numbers weren’t simply achieved by padding stats against an overwhelmed opponent. Not only was the game tied 7-7 in the second quarter, but the Trojans had a modest 21-14 lead at halftime. The game didn’t really get out of hand until late in the third quarter.
