No. 14 USC loses starting center Kilian O'Connor to season-ending knee injury in practice

The Trojans are used to a carousel along the offensive line Aug 6, 2026 at 9:06 pm ET • 2 min read Getty Images A USC offense with big expectations has suffered a tough blow just weeks before the season-opener against San Jose State on Aug. 29. Starting center Kilian O'Connor suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice on Wednesday, Lincoln Riley announced.Riley described the incident as a "non-contact kind of freak injury" and confirmed that O'Connor won't take the field in 2026. The Trojans coach said it was a tough pill to swallow given O'Connor's journey from walk-on to starting center."Tough one for us I think more than anything from just an emotional standpoint," Riley said, per 247Sports. "Tremendous leader. Obviously well-versed on his track here as a walk-on into becoming a t