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Column: USC finally has a defense under Lincoln Riley. Let the playoff dreaming begin

LAS VEGAS —

Who were these players, and what did they do with USC’s defense?

They were physical.

They made open-field tackles.

They kept their team in the game when the offense was stalled.

Finally, in Lincoln Riley’s third year as coach, the Trojans have a defense. Finally, under first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, they have a defense that can strike fear into their opponents.

New starting quarterback Miller Moss passed for 378 yards and transfer running back Woody Marks scored a pair of touchdowns, but the most important revelations in their season-opening 27-20 victory over No.