TCU cornerback Channing Canada seemed pretty sure he had just successfully defended USC wide receiver Jaden Richardson. Then the field judge gave him the bad news.
On an end zone heave from Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava seemingly destined to bounce out-of-bounds, Richardson delivered a late contender for catch of the year honors with a one-handed snag in the Alamo Bowl. It was the first touchdown of his two-year career at USC.
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In fairness to Canada, who confidently delivered the incomplete gesture, it sure looked like the pass was incomplete. The official, however, saw Richardson get his left foot down just as the ball arrived.
The result was a go-ahead touchdown for USC, who entered the game 9-3 and looking for reasons for optimism after a second year in the Big Ten.
Richardson, a redshirt senior, joined the program as a transfer from Tufts in 2024 and entered bowl season seventh on the team in receiving yards with 117. He was a secondary part of the Trojans’ offense at best for most of the season, but Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon and No. 2 receiver J’Kobi Lane opted to skip the Alamo Bowl, leaving behind plenty of targets.
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Richardson certainly made the most of what he got, as did true freshman Tanook Hines, who had 163 receiving yards on six catches.
Unfortunately, one group that did not step up was the USC defense, which blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter then allowed TCU’s game-winning score in a 30-27 overtime loss.
