#14 USC Trojans cruise past the San Jose State Spartans 42-26
USC Trojans’ #15 Jonas Williams (QB) replace quarterback Jayden Maiava late in the second half against the San Jose State Spartans. This photo is by Jevone Moore August 29, 2026.
LOS ANGELES, CA - #14 USC Trojans, led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, who threw for 286 yards while completing 25 of his 29 passes and two touchdowns, wide receiver Trent Mosley with 7 catches, 118 yards, and one touchdown, and King Miller with 15 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown, had no problem beating the San Jose Spartans 42-26.
On their first possession, USC drove down the field for 77 yards, and Jayden Maiava scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. The Spartans' defense came up big against the Trojans on 4th down and four yards to go for a touchdown, stopping Maiava short of the goal line.
USC took a 14-0 with a five-yard touchdown run by Riley Wormley (RB), capping off 43 yards on 8 plays.
The Trojans would increase their lead to 21-0 in the second quarter after Maiava threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (WR) with 2:46 left before halftime. USC scored again and led 28-0 before halftime with a 4-yard touchdown run by King Miller.
Late in the third quarter, USC added to its point total, 35-3, after Maiava hit Trent Mosley with a 14-yard touchdown pass after going 79 yards on the drive.
The Spartans trailed 35-11 after Luke Weaver connected with Jerry McClure on a 28-yard touchdown reception with 2:22 left in the third quarter.
"Really dominated the game there through three quarters," Riley said. "A lot of exciting ball. (Had) a lot of guys (in) their first games as Trojans make a lot of big plays out there."
In the fourth quarter, San Jose State trailed 42-11 when Trojans' Shahn Alston scored on a 1-yard touchdown run after the offense went 75 yards on 10 plays.
The Spartans still had some fight left and responded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Weaver to Jordan Anderson, making the score 42-18.
The final score would be 42-26 after Weaver scrambled to the right side of the field and scored on a 7-yard touchdown run.
"Fourth quarter, not up to our standards," Riley 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. ... The way our starters played, that deserved to be a single-digit-score game."
Weaver completed 21 of his 32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, and carried the ball 8 times for 43 yards and one touchdown, and McClure had 6 catches for 68 yards and one touchdown.