USC Football: Trojans Gave Kicker Scholarship Monday

Denis Lynch has been perfect on field goals this season — not that he's had to attempt too many. 

Hitting two field goals from 30-39 yards and one over 50 yards, Lynch's leg should be pretty fresh considering the number of touchdowns his offense, led by 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams, has been scoring.

Lynch has already kicked 28 extra points in the Trojans' first four games.

On Monday, the sophomore Lynch was rewarded for his hard work with a scholarship, according to Head Coach Lincoln Riley. 

"Denis has been consistent really since the day I walked into the door, and now his confidence is really starting to grow in being able to take what he does from the practice field to the game field. I think that's been the biggest change in year two," Riley said. "And by the way, we put Denis on scholarship today, which was a cool moment; the team just erupted."

In his freshman season with the Trojans, Lynch hit 15-of-22 of his field goals last season, including going eight-for-eight from 40-49 yards. He didn't make any of his two attempts from over 50 yards.

That changed during Saturday's win over the Arizona State Sun Devils. 

With the Trojans up 21-13 at the beginning of the second half, the special teams unit lined up at the ASU 37-yard line to try to put the game away. Lynch's 53-yarder was good and (temporarily) gave the Trojans a bit more of a cushion.

With an offense that can move the ball quickly, having a strong field goal kicker will be vital if the Trojans are to make a run at their first College Football Playoff appearance.