USC football running back King Miller has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Miller, a second-year freshman walk-on, rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown in USC’s 31-13 win over Michigan Saturday. Miller saw an increased workload due to Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders getting hurt in the first half, and the freshman made the most of it. Miller had runs of 49 and 47 yards to go along with a 15-yard touchdown.
Miller was also honored as the Burlsworth Trophy walk-on of the week, the Paul Hornung National player of the week and the Shaun Alexander freshman player of the week for his efforts against the Wolverines. The Burlsworth Trophy was created to honor the achievements and successes of the walk-on athlete. It is presented annually to the most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. The Paul Hornung award is presented to the most versatile player in college football. Miller also returned kicks against Michigan picking up 45 yards on two returns. The Shaun Alexander Freshman player of the year award is an honor given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football.
“King was huge,” Lincoln Riley said Saturday night. “He stepped up and made big plays. That was obviously really important for us with the way it went down. This is just what he does in practice. He’s a hard worker. He’s a humble guy. He cares about this team a lot. And honestly, hell, we didn’t have anyone else. But he was awesome. The moment certainly wasn’t too big for him
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Miller’s 158 rushing yards were more than any team had rushed against Michigan all year. Additionally, his rushing total is believed to be the most by a Trojan walk-on since at least the 1970s, and is the most by a USC running back versus a ranked opponent since 2017 (Ronald Jones II, 194 versus No. 23 Arizona).
“It was a dream come true,” Miller said of his performance. “My opportunity came today, and I’m just so grateful.”
In Week 7, Miller led the Big Ten in yards per attempt (8.8) and yards after contact (98).
Miller will likely be featured heavily once again Saturday when USC travels to play No. 13 Notre Dame. Jordan is out four to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury against Michigan, and Sanders is out for the season after injuring his knee Saturday. That leaves USC with two healthy running backs with experience, Miller and second-year freshman Bryan Jackson. Jackson has been dealing with a turf toe injury and originally wasn’t supposed to play against Michigan, but he suited up in the second half and rushed for a 29-yard touchdown.
True freshmen Harry Dalton III and Riley Wormley, USC’s other two scholarship running backs, have both been injured as well. Dalton has an undisclosed injury, and Wormley is still working his way back from a knee injury he suffered in high school last fall.
