Jayden Maiava fuels USC's 42-26 opener vs San José State
Jayden Maiava threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score as No. 14 USC opened its season with a 42-26 win over San José State on Aug. 29, 2026, at the Coliseum, building a 35-3 cushion before a late Spartans surge.
Key Takeaways
- Maiava went 25-for-29 for 286 yards and two scores, plus a rushing touchdown on the opening drive.
- USC led 28-0 at halftime and 35-3 entering the fourth before San José State scored 23 points against reserves.
- Trent Mosley debuted with seven catches for 118 yards and a touchdown; six of 10 Trojan receivers were first-time USC catchers.
- New coordinator Gary Patterson’s defense blanked the Spartans in the first half, then faded as Luke Weaver threw for 234 yards.
How did Jayden Maiava steer the Trojans’ opener?
In his third season as USC’s starter, Maiava set the tone immediately with a rushing touchdown on the opening drive, per ESPN’s game recap. He finished 25 of 29 for 286 yards and two passing touchdowns while the Trojans controlled three quarters at the Coliseum.
Freshman Trent Mosley led the receiving corps with seven catches for 118 yards and a score. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt added a short scoring slant in his debut, while Riley Wormley and Shahn Alston each rushed for their first touchdowns. King Miller’s run made it 28-0 just before halftime.
Lincoln Riley praised the early dominance and the newcomers’ big plays. Six of the 10 Trojans who caught a pass were making their USC debuts, a sign the restocked offense around Maiava can still create explosive moments after NFL departures at receiver.
Why did the fourth quarter worry playoff watchers?
USC’s defense, under new coordinator Gary Patterson, posted a first-half shutout and produced standout snaps such as Jide Abasiri’s fourth-and-one stop near the goal line. Then the Trojans were outscored 23-7 in the fourth quarter, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver went 21-for-32 for 234 yards, including late touchdown throws to Jerry McClure and Jordan Anderson before a rushing score. San José State finished with 336 total yards. Riley said the fourth quarter was “not up to our standards” after backups failed to respond.
The Times framed the late collapse as another early clue that Riley-era defenses may still lag playoff standards, even after a first-half blanking and flashes from freshman end Luke Wafle.
What else shaped USC’s season-opening win?
USC won without several expected contributors, including defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart and receivers Tanook Hines and Terrell Anderson. Participation tracking from 247Sports showed the Trojans used 68 players, with 23 making collegiate debuts and nobody leaving injured mid-game.
Freshman quarterback Jonas Williams played the fourth quarter, passing for 55 yards with an interception. Next up, USC hosts Fresno State on Friday, Sept. 4, while San José State visits Eastern Michigan the same day. For more desk coverage, see Future Tech & AI Wonders.