In USC’s regular-season finale last year, Caleb Williams put on a show.
He ran circles around Notre Dame defenders, rushing for three touchdowns. He played to the sold-out Coliseum crowd, announcing to Hollywood that the Trojans were back in the mix as a college football power.
It was a Heisman-worthy display, a rivalry-game performance that all but clinched the trophy for No. 13.
It was also, statistically, just another game for the QB.
Williams threw for 232 yards against the Irish. His season average was 324.
He rushed for 35 yards that night. His season average was 27.
The difference was the audience: 6.68 million viewers tuned in to watch the game on ABC, more than three times the Trojans’ regular-season average of 2.07 million viewers per contest.
On Saturday, Williams will begin his Heisman Trophy defense as the Trojans host San Jose State in a Week Zero game.
The game kicks at 8 p.m. ET, normally a prime window for national viewership.
The game is also on the Pac-12 Network, meaning much of the country won’t be able to see it.
