USC Football Struggles in 2024: Reggie Bush Blames Lack of Dual-Threat Quarterback

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The 2024 USC football season was marked by inconsistency and underperformance, despite notable victories over SEC opponents. Former USC star Reggie Bush has pinpointed a key issue: the lack of a dual-threat quarterback.

“One of the things that we didn’t see this year from the quarterback was that dual-threat component,” Bush said in an interview with FanSided. “The quarterback has got to start running. I’m not saying the current guys can’t do it, but they’ve got to start running because that opens up everything. That needs to be a message to the quarterback room. You guys aren’t just here to throw the football.”

Bush highlighted the decline in scoring production under head coach Lincoln Riley, whose offenses are typically among the nation’s highest-scoring. After averaging 41 points per game in 2022 and 2023, the Trojans dropped to 30 points per game in 2024.

Questions about quarterback Miller Moss‘s mobility persisted throughout the season, exacerbated by USC’s struggles in pass protection early on. Former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava eventually took over as the starter, partly due to his more dynamic skill set. However, Maiava also failed to utilize his running ability as much as fans and analysts, including Bush, had hoped.

Designed runs for Maiava were rare, despite their effectiveness when executed. He carried the ball just four times against Nebraska and Notre Dame, and only twice against UCLA and Texas A&M. In contrast, former USC quarterback Caleb Williams averaged eight carries per game during his two seasons with the Trojans.

Williams’s willingness to use his legs was a key factor in USC’s offensive success during his tenure. Bush emphasized that Maiava must demonstrate similar confidence in his running ability if he retains the starting job in 2025. Similarly, Riley must show greater trust in his quarterback’s ability to run.

Bush’s comments came as part of his collaboration with Modelo, the official beer sponsor of college football. Earlier in the season, Bush and Modelo launched a campaign to recruit the ultimate group of dedicated fans, who will attend Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Atlanta. These fans will also participate in a pre-game discussion with Bush to share their insights on the 2024 season.

Meanwhile, USC continues to recruit top talent for the future. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, a highly sought-after prospect, recently visited one elite college football program and is set to visit another this week.