Special teams may be overlooked, but it is a crucial part of any team's success or failure. It is an area where teams can lose games or win just as much as the other sides of the football. Thankfully for USC football, its special teams unit is going in the right direction.
Here is my midseason report card grade for the USC Trojans special team unit after the first 7 weeks of college football:
The USC Trojans special teams have been an up-and-down unit. I think the group is slightly above average. I think the fair grade for this unit as a whole is a B. Starting with the kicking game, veteran kicker Ryon Sayeri is limited. He missed a 56-yard field goal against Penn State, and there are times when Lincoln Riley has more trust in the offense than Sayeri to knock down a field goal. Sayeri is 7-for-9 on extra points this season. Last season, he was a weapon for the Trojans; this season, he has not been looked at as that same guy. When in doubt, I still believe Lincoln Riley has trust in him to make a game-winning field goal.
In kickoff and punt coverage, the Trojans are really solid. One standout player is RJ Sermons; he shines every week on special teams. The Trojans do a good job of not giving up great field position to their opponent.
The area where the Trojans are the best, I believe, is in the return game. That notion should improve even more now with Trent Mosley back in the fold. To start the season, it felt like every return he had a chance to take it back for a touchdown. He is a dynamic threat, and I hope Riley and this staff allow him to continue to be the return man. Getting great field position on a consistent basis could be the advantage the Trojans need to pull off an upset in the coming weeks.
The Trojans' special teams will not lose them football games and instead will be the reason why a game can swing in the Trojans favor. There could be more consistency in this unit, but right now, after 7 weeks, Lincoln Riley should feel confident in this group.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Midseason report card grade for USC football special teams