USC's New Faces Shine in Season-Opening Win, But Fourth-Quarter Slip Raises Questions
No. 14 USC opened its season with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State on Saturday, but the final score tells only part of the story. The Trojans built a commanding 35-3 lead through three quarters before backups allowed three late touchdowns, a lapse that coach Lincoln Riley said fell short of the team's standards.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score, going 25 for 29 as USC showcased a restocked roster with College Football Playoff aspirations. The game also introduced several promising newcomers, including wide receiver Trent Mosley, who caught seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in his debut.
Who stepped up for USC in the season opener?
Mosley, an Orange County product, led the team with nine targets from Maiava and showed the elusiveness that made him a recruiting prize for Riley. His longest catch went for 33 yards, and he added 52 yards after the catch, plus a 41-yard punt return that had teammates shouting from the sideline.
Other debutants made their mark too. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt caught a touchdown pass, while Riley Wormley and Shahn Alston each rushed for their first career scores. Six of the 10 Trojans who caught a pass were playing their first game for USC.
“He kind of just did what he does in practice,” Riley said of Mosley. “I don't think anybody here is very surprised. That's kind of what it looks like most days.”
Running back King Miller, the 2025 breakout star, added a touchdown run before halftime to push the lead to 28-0. Miller was equally impressed by Mosley's performance.
“That kid moves differently,” Miller said. “I mean, he's special. I love to see him play.”
What went wrong in the fourth quarter?
New defensive coordinator Gary Patterson's unit looked sharp for three quarters, but San Jose State quarterback Luke Weaver, a Hawaii transfer, led three late touchdown drives against USC's backup defenders. Weaver finished with 234 passing yards and touchdown throws to Jerry McClure and Jordan Anderson, adding a rushing score late.
Riley didn't sugarcoat the collapse.
“Fourth quarter, not up to our standards,” he said. “A bunch of guys got opportunities, and we had several that did not play the way that we anticipated. There will be a lot to learn and grow from.”
He added: “The way our starters played, that deserved to be a single-digit-score game.”
Who was missing from USC's lineup?
The Trojans played without several expected contributors due to apparent injuries. Star defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, presumptive starting receivers Tanook Hines, and NC State transfer Terrell Anderson were the most notable absences.
USC lost All-American receiver Makai Lemon and counterpart Ja'Kobi Lane to the NFL, but the replacements looked promising. Defensive end Luke Wafle, rated the top overall recruit in last year's class by some evaluators, also stood out. Freshman quarterback Jonas Williams, who may succeed Maiava next season, played the fourth quarter and passed for 55 yards with an interception.
What's next for both teams?
San Jose State visits Eastern Michigan on Friday, Sept. 4, while USC hosts Fresno State the same day. San Jose State coach Ken Niumatalolo found encouragement in his team's late surge against the Trojans' depth players.
“That's far and away the best football team they'll play all year, and our guys were able to get open,” Niumatalolo said. “We were able to protect against them, and so those things are encouraging.”
For USC, the win was a strong start, but the fourth-quarter lapses will give Riley and his staff plenty of teaching material before conference play begins.
USC vs San Jose State: frequently asked questions
What was the final score of the USC vs San Jose State game?
USC won 42-26. The Trojans led 35-3 after three quarters before San Jose State scored three late touchdowns against USC's backup defenders.
How did Jayden Maiava perform in the season opener?
Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, and added a rushing score on USC's opening drive. He accounted for three total touchdowns.
Who were the standout newcomers for USC?
Trent Mosley led the way with seven catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt caught a touchdown pass, and Riley Wormley and Shahn Alston each rushed for their first career scores.