USC Football: Trojans pull away from over-matched UNLV

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Jocquez Kalili #26 of the UNLV Rebels breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for wide receiver Tyler Vaughns #21 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive back Jocquez Kalili #26 of the UNLV Rebels breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for wide receiver Tyler Vaughns #21 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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USC football worked through a slow start, leaning on its defense to pull away from the UNLV Rebels at home. What did we learn about the Trojans?

It doesn’t get better than 1-0. There were moments early on when the USC Trojans trailed the UNLV Rebels, but the game never seemed out of reach. Once the Trojans were able to iron out some of their butterflies they pulled away from their less talented opponent with relative ease.

On a weekend in which other teams struggled, USC proved they’re a step ahead of the game. Here’s what we learned from USC in their Week 1 win:

1. Amon Ra St. Brown is the real deal

USC is no stranger to 5-star playmakers and Amon Ra St. Brown appears to be the next in a long line of star wideouts. The freshman receiver has already become the favorite target of his freshman quarterback, grabbing seven receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown.

It was St. Brown’s touchdown that put any doubts concerning the outcome of this game to bed. The 43-yard strike from quarterback JT Daniels gave the Trojans their first two-score lead of the day and the offense rolled the rest of the way.