University Southern California Trojans
USC Kicker Caden Chittenden and Running Back Riley Wormley Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
September 21, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC kicker Caden Chittenden and running back Riley Wormley have been named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week, respectively, for their performances in USC's 42-35 victory over Rutgers on Saturday (Sept. 19). This is the first Big Ten weekly honor for both Chittenden and Wormley in their Trojan careers. Â
USC redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden was perfect in converting both field-goal attempts and all four PATs for the Trojans. He accounted for 10 points, the second-most by any USC player in the game and the most he's scored as a Trojan.Â
He opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal, giving USC a lead it never relinquished. After Rutgers pulled within three points late in the first half, Chittenden capped USC's 61-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining, sending the Trojans into halftime with a 20-14 advantage.
The two field goals were Chittenden's first as a Trojan and came in his first game handling USC's place-kicking duties. His flawless performance was especially meaningful after he missed the entire 2025 season because of a season-ending injury suffered during fall camp. Chittenden's 10 points proved critical in a game decided by seven, helping USC win its Big Ten opener, improve to 4-0 and complete its first East Coast road trip since 2014 with a victory. A former Lou Groza Award semifinalist and a First Team True Freshman All-American by 247Sports, Chittenden displayed the same reliability that made him one of the nation's premier kickers as a freshman at UNLV, where he led all FBS kickers with 133 points in 2024.Â
USC redshirt freshman running back Riley Wormley scored a career-high two touchdowns in the road victory over Rutgers. He produced 54 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on just 4 touches, rushing three times for a career-high 52 yards and catching a 2-yard touchdown pass, the first touchdown reception of his career.Â
He averaged an explosive 17.3 yards per carry, with each of his three rushing attempts gaining at least 12 yards and producing a first down or touchdown. Wormley accounted for both of USC's offensive touchdowns in the second half.
After Rutgers cut USC's advantage to 27-21, Wormley sparked the ensuing possession with a career-long 27-yard run and finished the 75-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown rush. With Rutgers again within seven points in the fourth quarter, Wormley gained 13 yards to set up first-and-goal before catching a 2-yard touchdown pass on third down to restore USC's two-score lead.
Head coach Lincoln Riley praised Wormley as one of USC's strongest competitors.Â
"I think they (Wormley and Corey Simms) are two of our stronger competitors on the team," Riley said. "Two guys who I never have to worry about their effort or physicality or competitiveness. I think because of that they both were able to stay on the field."
No. 12 USC welcomes No. 20 Oregon to the Coliseum for its Big Ten home opener. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 26. The game will air live on NBC.Â
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USC redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden was perfect in converting both field-goal attempts and all four PATs for the Trojans. He accounted for 10 points, the second-most by any USC player in the game and the most he's scored as a Trojan.Â
He opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal, giving USC a lead it never relinquished. After Rutgers pulled within three points late in the first half, Chittenden capped USC's 61-yard drive with a 32-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining, sending the Trojans into halftime with a 20-14 advantage.
The two field goals were Chittenden's first as a Trojan and came in his first game handling USC's place-kicking duties. His flawless performance was especially meaningful after he missed the entire 2025 season because of a season-ending injury suffered during fall camp. Chittenden's 10 points proved critical in a game decided by seven, helping USC win its Big Ten opener, improve to 4-0 and complete its first East Coast road trip since 2014 with a victory. A former Lou Groza Award semifinalist and a First Team True Freshman All-American by 247Sports, Chittenden displayed the same reliability that made him one of the nation's premier kickers as a freshman at UNLV, where he led all FBS kickers with 133 points in 2024.Â
USC redshirt freshman running back Riley Wormley scored a career-high two touchdowns in the road victory over Rutgers. He produced 54 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on just 4 touches, rushing three times for a career-high 52 yards and catching a 2-yard touchdown pass, the first touchdown reception of his career.Â
He averaged an explosive 17.3 yards per carry, with each of his three rushing attempts gaining at least 12 yards and producing a first down or touchdown. Wormley accounted for both of USC's offensive touchdowns in the second half.
After Rutgers cut USC's advantage to 27-21, Wormley sparked the ensuing possession with a career-long 27-yard run and finished the 75-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown rush. With Rutgers again within seven points in the fourth quarter, Wormley gained 13 yards to set up first-and-goal before catching a 2-yard touchdown pass on third down to restore USC's two-score lead.
Head coach Lincoln Riley praised Wormley as one of USC's strongest competitors.Â
"I think they (Wormley and Corey Simms) are two of our stronger competitors on the team," Riley said. "Two guys who I never have to worry about their effort or physicality or competitiveness. I think because of that they both were able to stay on the field."
No. 12 USC welcomes No. 20 Oregon to the Coliseum for its Big Ten home opener. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 26. The game will air live on NBC.Â
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Players Mentioned
Thursday, September 24
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Wednesday, September 23
