Home / Sports / USC Star Lemon Stuns With Trick-Play TD Pass
USC Star Lemon Stuns With Trick-Play TD Pass
23 Nov
Summary
- Makai Lemon, a top receiver, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass.
- He completed the pass on a trick play against Oregon.
- This was Lemon's first career passing touchdown.
USC receiver Makai Lemon has emerged as a standout player for college football fans in 2025. In a Week 13 matchup against Oregon, Lemon showcased unexpected quarterbacking skills by completing a 24-yard touchdown pass on a trick play. This remarkable feat occurred despite his primary role as a receiver and no previous experience at quarterback.
Lemon, who entered the game as the third-leading receiver in the FBS with 1,090 yards, delivered a precise pass to freshman Tanook Hines. While Lemon also scored a receiving touchdown earlier in the game, his completion to Hines tied the score at 14 points. This marked the first passing touchdown of his career, building on a single completion from a similar play in 2024.
The creative offensive maneuver is indicative of USC's recent strategic shifts. Following considerable fan feedback, head coach Lincoln Riley has been more adventurous with his playcalling, incorporating various trick plays, including a notable fake punt in a previous game. Lemon's unexpected passing prowess has added a new dynamic to USC's strategy.
