USC won its first game in nearly a month against Rutgers last weekend, but fans still aren’t satisfied with the team’s .500 record amid a tumultuous season.

Regardless of this season’s woes, the Trojans (4-4, 2-4 Big Ten) put on an offensive show against the Scarlet Knights (4-4, 1-4), with sophomore wide receiver Makai Lemon displaying his breakout potential. Lemon tallied 256 all-purpose yards and a touchdown, tearing up the defense as a kick returner and wideout.

Lemon’s performance further proved USC’s pass-catcher depth, as six different wide receivers have caught touchdowns this season.

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Redshirt senior running back Woody Marks also had a standout performance, rushing for 3 touchdowns, while redshirt junior quarterback Miller Moss recorded an efficient 20-for-28 passing night to raise the spirits. 

Other than competing with other significant events in Los Angeles for relevancy, USC had a good night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, putting a bandage over the otherwise lost season.

“You kind of saw the natural progression and growth of our team,” Moss said after practice Tuesday.

The Trojans played a more physical game, snapped their three-game losing streak and — most importantly — took control from start to finish, something they’ve struggled with on multiple occasions.

USC’s offensive line has been a sore subject, with injuries and inconsistent play negatively impacting the team’s ability to generate timely scoring opportunities this season. However, redshirt senior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon showed that the unit can help create holes, as Pregnon — while playing through an injury — was named Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded guard of the week.

“We didn’t think he was going to play,” said Head Coach Lincoln Riley. “He kind of went in there like it was nothing … It was cool to see.”

Riley followed up the win by closing off practice for the rest of the season, disallowing media members from viewing it. Previously, reporters could watch some drills and warm-ups before the main practice portion.

The Trojans have suffered through the injury bug at multiple positions this year, but a handful of notable names have recently been sidelined on the defensive side. However, redshirt sophomore safety Kamari Ramsey, senior cornerback Jaylin Smith and redshirt senior cornerback Jacobe Covington were all seen at practice Tuesday in pads, an encouraging sign considering all missed the Rutgers game with different injuries.

“Didn’t have them last week, I don’t believe any of them are out long-term,” Riley said. “They’re all progressing in a very positive way.” 

Now, USC must face a past demon — Washington (4-4, 2-3) — the team that shut the door on the Trojans’ Pac-12 title hopes last year by dropping 52 points on USC on the road. But this year, the Huskies have been completely overhauled, including a new head coach and rebooted roster.

The trip to Seattle will be USC’s final ‘true’ road game, as its only other remaining away battle will be a short drive to Pasadena against UCLA (2-5, 1-4). Winless on the road, battling the Huskies — a squad the Trojans haven’t beaten since 2016 — will be a tough test.

Washington is led by senior quarterback Will Rogers, who led the defending Sugar Bowl champions to a solid 3-1 start. Lately, however, the Huskies have seen mixed results, losing three of their last four, with a surprising lone win over then-No. 10 Michigan.

Like USC, Washington spreads the ball across a multitude of targets on offense. Sophomore wide receiver Denzel Boston has been Rogers’ most reliable option, as Boston has reeled in 9 touchdowns with 583 yards thus far.

Both teams field starting running backs with similar figures, as Marks’ 755 rushing yards are just a hair below junior running back Jonah Coleman’s 785.

Washington posts the best-passing defense in the FBS, only allowing 123.1 air yards per game, another challenge for the Trojans’ offensive scheme.

Both teams may be out of College Football Playoff contention, but bowl eligibility is still on the line. Saturday will be an opportunity for USC to battle after coming off a victory for the first time in a while and play in an environment it has seen before.

The Trojans will officially begin their November schedule Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.