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Photo by: John McGillen
USC’s Makai Lemon Named Paul Hornung National Player of the Week
September 23, 2025 | Football
LOS ANGELES--USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was named the Paul Hornung National Player of the Week for his performance in USC's 45-31 victory over Michigan State in a battle of undefeated Big Ten teams. The Paul Hornung award is presented to the most versatile player in college football.
Lemon, one of the most versatile players in the nation, touched the ball 16 times in four different ways for 225 all-purpose yards and scored twice, once through the air and once on the ground.
Lemon's 225 all-purpose yards were the most this season by a Trojan and the third most of his career.
Lemon scored on a 40-yard reception in the second quarter, and then ran four yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. These two touchdowns marked the second time this season that Lemon has scored multiple touchdowns in a game.
He caught eight passes for 127 yards, carried the ball twice for 11 yards and accounted for five first downs from scrimmage, all on scoring drives. He also returned three kickoffs for 64 yards, returned one punt for 23 yards and fair caught two punts.
Per PFF, Lemon has the highest receiving grade among wide receivers in the Big Ten and the fourth highest in the Power Four (88.4). Lemon also has the most yards after catch among any Big Ten Receiver (254) and the second most in the Power Four.
Lemon, one of the most versatile players in the nation, touched the ball 16 times in four different ways for 225 all-purpose yards and scored twice, once through the air and once on the ground.
Lemon's 225 all-purpose yards were the most this season by a Trojan and the third most of his career.
Lemon scored on a 40-yard reception in the second quarter, and then ran four yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. These two touchdowns marked the second time this season that Lemon has scored multiple touchdowns in a game.
He caught eight passes for 127 yards, carried the ball twice for 11 yards and accounted for five first downs from scrimmage, all on scoring drives. He also returned three kickoffs for 64 yards, returned one punt for 23 yards and fair caught two punts.
Per PFF, Lemon has the highest receiving grade among wide receivers in the Big Ten and the fourth highest in the Power Four (88.4). Lemon also has the most yards after catch among any Big Ten Receiver (254) and the second most in the Power Four.
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