USC safety Christian Pierce named National Defensive Back of the Week

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On Saturday, the USC football team defeated Rutgers 42-35 in Piscataway, New Jersey. With the victory, the Trojans improved to 4-0 on the season and opened Big Ten play 1-0.

One of the standouts from the game for USC was safety Christian Pierce. For his performance, Pierce was named the Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week.

Pierce led the Trojans with 11 total tackles against Rutgers. He also added an interception and two passes defended.

“Pierce intercepted QB Dylan Lonergan on Rutgers' second play of the game and returned it 16 yards to the Rutgers 24-yard line,” USC wrote in a press release. “USC scored two plays later, making Pierce's interception responsible for setting up the Trojans' first touchdown.

“Pierce led all tracked defensive backs nationally in tackles during Week 3. His physicality and steady presence provided a spark for the Trojans' secondary with his hard-hitting style setting the tone throughout the road win.”

USC is back in action this Saturday for a massive battle against Oregon at the Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. Pacific time on NBC.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC safety Christian Pierce named National Defensive Back of the Week

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