Why USC Linebacker Eric Gentry Deserves MVP in Trojans' Win Over Purdue

The USC Trojans defense was led by linebacker Eric Gentry in their 33-17 win over Purdue. Gentry led the USC defense in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. He had eight tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. 

Gentry nearly caused a turnover on Purdue’s double-pass touchdown trick play, but he couldn’t squeeze on to the ball. The ball fell to the ground and was picked up by Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne’s hands, who ran it the distance for a touchdown. If Gentry snagged the ball, it would have potentially gone the other way for six. 

It was still a great performance for Gentry, who missed a majority of the 2024 season for USC with a concussion. So far this season, he is showing that the Trojans were missing a major piece of their defense. 

D’Anton Lynn’s Defense Leads the Way

The first thing that comes to mind for most when thinking about the USC Trojans under coach Lincoln Riley is the offense. However, USC’s defense is proving that they are a force to be reckoned with defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

Lynn was hired by USC prior to the 2024 season to be their defensive coordinator. Lynn took over a defense that had averaged giving up 34 points per game in 2023 and cut 10 points off that average in 2024; USC’s defense gave up 24 points per game in 2024. 

Against Purdue, Lynn’s defense came to play. USC did not let Purdue in the end zone until the broken trick play that Browne ran in a touchdown for in the middle of the third quarter. USC’s defense also forced three turnovers; all interceptions thrown by Ryan Browne. 

The Trojans players that secured these interceptions were safety Bishop Fitzgerald and defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett. Fitzgerald had two of them. Both of which were while Purdue was in the Trojans’ red zone.

Jamaal Jarrett’s interception was the most memorable play from this USC’s Big Ten conference win. The 6-5, 360 pound Jarrett caught a deflected Browne pass and took it 70 yards to the end zone for a pick-six. 

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jayden Maiava had a clean game and went 17/28 passing for 282 yards. Wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane hauled in three catches for 115 yards and the running back duo of Waymond Jordna and Eli Sanders combined for 152 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.