LOS ANGELES, CA — Under the bright lights of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday night, No. 19 ranked USC powered past Northwestern 38–17, improving to 7–2 overall and 5–1 in Big Ten play.
The Trojans’ defense set the tone once again, limiting the Wildcats to just 280 yards of total offense. It marked the second consecutive game and third time this season that USC has held an opponent under 300 yards, following dominant outings against Missouri State on August 30 and Nebraska on November 1.
USC improved to 7–2 overall and 5–1 in Big Ten play with their Friday night 38-17 win over Northwestern – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
“Awesome, awesome win,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said in the postgame. “This was a challenging turnaround — flying back from Lincoln, playing again on a short week, and facing a good team off a bye. But our guys dove into the preparation, met the challenge head-on, and I think you saw that tonight.”
Sophomore receiver Makai Lemon was electric, hauling in 11 catches for a career-high 161 yards, including a four-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. His versatility continues to stretch defenses thin and give quarterback Jayden Maiava the freedom to create.
Leading the Trojans down the field all night long, Jayden Maiava made for a threat on the ground (10 rushing yards) and in the air (299 passing yards) – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
“Lem’s a good route runner and understands defenses,” Riley said of Lemon. “He knows what we’re trying to accomplish, not just his route. That awareness makes him really tough to defend.”
Maiava once again displayed poise and dual-threat ability, tossing two touchdowns while rushing for another. This is his third game this season with both a passing and rushing score. But it was a defensive-style play that had the crowd of 67,179 on their feet.
67,179 fans filled Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday night to catch USC host Northwestern – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
After a turnover late in the half, Maiava sprinted across the field to make a touchdown-saving tackle on Northwestern defensive lineman Najee Story, a moment that set the tone for the rest of the game.
“I just thought I should go out there and sacrifice my body for my brothers,” Maiava said. “For sure, I knew I was gonna make that tackle.”
Riley praised his quarterback’s toughness and leadership:
“When your quarterback plays like that—never gives up, always fights—it permeates throughout the whole team.”
The Hawaiian born junior quarterback, Maiava, has 17 touchdown passes on the season, matching his single-season career high from his 2023 campaign at UNLV.
Ja’Kobi Lane secured seven receptions from USC QB Jayden Maiava in Friday night’s win over Northwestern, with one coming in the end zone for a touchdown – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
USC’s defense clamped down once again, holding Northwestern to just three points in the second half—the second straight week they’ve done so—and limiting the Wildcats to 280 total yards.
Riley also dialed up some creativity, calling the team’s first fake punt of the year early in the second quarter. Backup QB Sam Huard connected with WR Tanook Hines for a first down, a play that caught Northwestern flat-footed.
“It’s been in there for three weeks,” Riley laughed. “We’ve got some creative guys on staff—and it came at the perfect time.”
With three more regular season games to go for No. 19 ranked USC (7-2), Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have already tied their win mark from the 2024 season, which was 7-6 – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
Running back King Miller continued his mid-season surge with 127 rushing yards, highlighted by a 55-yard burst late in the second quarter—his fifth run of 40 yards or more this season.
The energy inside the Coliseum was electric, with USC great Keyshawn Johnson, a former three-time NFL Pro Bowler, leading the team out of the tunnel.
With two home games left and the Big Ten race tightening, Riley urged his team to stay locked in.
USC’s next time out is Saturday, November 15, vs. No. 20 ranked Iowa, who sits 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten Play – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports
“We’re trying to control what we can control,” he said. “Just get better every week, no regrets. We’re gonna keep battling and showing up on Saturdays ready to play.”
For now, USC sits in a “fun position,” as Riley called it—back in the Coliseum groove, playing inspired football, and proving that in November, the Trojans are far from done making noise.
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