Jaden Maiava’s stellar performance helped No. 25 USC defeat Michigan State 45-31. Los Angeles – No. 25-ranked Southern California (USC) posted a commanding 45-31 victory over Michigan State on Saturday night. Quarterback Jade Maiava was exceptional in the win, throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for two. Makai Lemon also caught a 40-yard touchdown and ran for another score, helping USC further strengthen its position in the Big Ten Conference
Match Summary
USC (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) recorded its best start since 2022 under coach lincoln Riley With the win Maiava’s 236 Passing yards and waymod jordan’s 157 rushing yards powered the trojans’ offensive strategy makai lemon also contributed 127 yards leading USC to its foruth consecutive comfortable victory
Key Moments
- First Half: Michigan State took an early lead with Chrishon McCaffrey’s 42-yard touchdown catch, but Maiava quickly responded with a 15-yard touchdown run. Tanuk Hines then caught a 7-yard touchdown catch 37 seconds before halftime, giving USC a 24-10 lead.
- Second Half: Walker Lyons’ touchdown catch put USC ahead 31-10. Michigan State attempted a comeback with a short touchdown catch by Jack Welling and a fumble recovered by Grady Kelly, but USC’s defense stopped them at crucial moments.
- Makai Lemon’s Impact: Lemon scored on a jet sweep with 8:20 remaining at the end of a 13-play drive, virtually sealing the victory for USC.
- Final Moments: Michigan State’s Omari Kelly caught a 75-yard touchdown pass in the final 2:39 minutes of the game, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Injuries and Controversy
Michigan State also had a difficult night due to injuries. Linebacker Wayne Matthews was injured while tackling Jordan and left the field on a cart 42 seconds before halftime. He gave his teammates a thumbs-up sign, demonstrating his courage. Furthermore, Jordan Hall was ejected for targeting, forcing the Spartans to play the second half without him.
USC was also not immune to injuries. Starting receiver Jacoby Lane and left tackle Elijah Paige missed the game due to injuries.
Takeaway
Michigan State
Matthews’ injury made the night difficult for the Spartans, but their second-half performance reflected the progress of coach Jonathan Smith’s rebuilding project. With a 3-1 start, the Spartans have demonstrated their potential this season, but their defense needs further improvement.
USC
The Trojans’ offense has been unstoppable so far this season. With 517 yards, USC achieved this feat for the fourth consecutive game, having surpassed 460 yards only once in the final nine games of last season. Coach Lincoln Riley’s second season has been impressive so far, but the upcoming matchup against Illinois could be his biggest challenge.
Statistics
- USC: 517 total yards (236 passing, 281 rushing), 3 touchdown passes, 2 rushing touchdowns.
- Michigan State: 3 touchdown passes, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 fumble recovery.
- Key Players:
- Jaden Maiava (USC): 236 passing yards, 3 TD passes, 2 rushing TDs.
- Makai Lemon (USC): 127 yards, 1 TD catch, 1 rushing TD.
- Waymond Jordan (USC): 157 rushing yards.
- Aidan Chiles (Michigan State): 3 TD passes, 1 rushing TD.
The Road Ahead
Michigan State: The Spartans will have a bye week before their next game against Nebraska on October 4th, giving them a chance to further refine their strategy.
USC: The Trojans will visit Illinois on September 27th, where their offensive prowess will be truly tested.
Led by Jaden Maiava and Makai Lemon, USC scored an impressive victory against Michigan State, demonstrating their strong position in the Big Ten Conference. Michigan State, on the other hand, held firm despite injuries and showed progress in their rebuilding project. Both teams will now prepare for their next matchups, where their abilities will be further tested.
