USC Runs Away From Fresno State, 39-0, to Move to 2-0
USC Trojans’ #14 Jayden Maiava (QB) threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns against the Fresno State Bulldogs secondary. This photo is by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 September 4, 2026.
LOS ANGELES - Fresh off being named the Associated Press National Player of the Week for his performance last week against San Jose State, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava picked up right where he left off, going 23-of-25 for 349 yards, and had a 92 percent completion rate, to lead the Trojans to a dominant 39-0 shutout of Fresno State and move USC to 2-0 on the season.
When asked about where he got his confidence from, Maiava said, "I have a lot of trust in these guys and the relationships I have with these guys: coach Riley and coach Huard. Those guys allow me to go out there and play ball.”
Wide receiver Trent Mosley also put in a strong performance, finishing with 104 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard bomb.
USC Trojans #17 Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (WR) was wide open and broke free down field for a 32-yard reception against the Fresno State Bulldogs’ secondary. This photo is by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 September 4, 2026.
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USC wasted little time getting the offense rolling. Tron Baker hauled in a 27-yard completion to move the chains, and Maiava followed it up by connecting with Kayden Dixon-Wyatt on a 32-yard pass that pushed the Trojans into the red zone.
The Bulldogs' defense stiffened near the goal line, forcing a three-yard loss on the ensuing snap, but USC broke through anyway. Tanook Hines punched in a touchdown from 14 yards out at the 9:27 mark to make it 7-0.
The Trojans' defense set the tone right alongside the offense. Safety Prophet Brown picked off a pass at the USC 15-yard line to snuff out a Fresno State drive. USC's only hiccup of the quarter came on a fumble, but the Bulldogs couldn't capitalize. USC led 7-0 after one.
The scoring started slowly in the second quarter before Maiava broke the game open, connecting with Mosley on a 68-yard touchdown strike to put USC up 14-0.
Maiava continued to look sharp throughout the quarter as the Trojans' pass rush also got in on the fun when a sack from Kennedy Urchlacher helped keep the Bulldogs' offense off schedule.
Urchlacher, then delivered a safety, sacking the Fresno State quarterback in the end zone to make it 16-0. Maiava and Mosley connected again shortly after, extending the lead to 23-0. Urchlacher was all over the field, also forcing a Fresno State fumble that gave USC's offense a fresh set of downs at 1st-and-10.
USC Trojans #2 Jordan Waymond (RB) had eleven carries for 71 yards and one touchdown against the Fresno State Bulldogs’ defense. This photo is by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 September 4, 2026.
USC kept the foot on the gas before halftime, as Jordan Waymond punched in a rushing touchdown up the middle late in the quarter, putting the Trojans up 30-0 at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, USC's defense continued to dominate. Alex Graham capped the frame by having a safety on the Fresno State quarterback as time expired on the clock, keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard entirely.
“I don’t know, as long as I've been a coach, if I’ve ever had two [safeties] in a game, so that was pretty cool,” said head coach Lincoln Riley.
USC led 32-0 heading into the fourth.
The Trojans closed things out in style in the fourth quarter, with Deshonne Redeaux scoring another touchdown to widen the lead. The extra point was good, putting the finishing touches on a 39-0 shutout win for USC.
“I’m excited about the win. I’m really excited about the shutout. Obviously that’s hard to do and doesn’t happen very often in college football these days,” said Riley
The Trojans' next game is Saturday, Sept. 12, against Louisiana-Lafayette at the LA Coliseum.