LOS ANGELES, CA — No. 14 USC closed out its nonconference schedule with another victory, but the Trojans had to withstand a stronger-than-expected challenge from Louisiana before pulling away for a 49-30 win Saturday night at the Coliseum.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 261 yards and five touchdowns, while running back King Miller powered the ground game with 128 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Tight end Mark Bowman emerged as one of the night’s biggest offensive weapons, catching six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley continued his remarkable start to the season in spectacular fashion. In addition to catching a touchdown pass, Mosley broke loose for an 86-yard punt return for a score, providing USC with the momentum it needed to separate from the Ragin’ Cajuns.
The victory improved USC to 3-0 and extended the Trojans’ home winning streak to 10 games dating back to the 2024 season.
More importantly, USC now turns its attention to the Big Ten.
And the timing couldn’t be more intriguing.
Earlier Saturday, Ohio State surrendered a 20-point fourth-quarter lead in a stunning loss to Texas, while Oregon was upset by Oklahoma State. With two of the conference’s nationally prominent programs taking unexpected losses, USC suddenly enters league play with an opportunity to make an early statement.
Mosley Continues to Make His Mark
For much of the night, Mosley looked like a player who has been doing this far longer than three games.
The freshman’s biggest moment came late in the second quarter when Louisiana punted to him near the USC 15-yard line. Mosley caught the ball, found a crease and accelerated through the coverage.
One defender couldn’t bring him down. Then another missed.
Suddenly, Mosley was in the open field.
He sprinted 86 yards for the touchdown, sending the Coliseum crowd into a frenzy and giving USC another explosive play from a player who has quickly become one of the most exciting young talents on the roster.
The touchdown was his fourth of the season at that point. He wasn’t finished.
Mosley later added a receiving touchdown, giving him five scores through USC’s first three games.
His emergence has been one of the most encouraging developments of the young season for coach Lincoln Riley.
Maiava Finds His Rhythm
Maiava’s final numbers were impressive, even though the quarterback didn’t believe he played his best game.
He completed 19 of 29 passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns. The five touchdown passes matched a career high.
The night began unevenly, however.
Maiava missed his first three throws, and his third attempt was intercepted by a Louisiana defensive back. The turnover resulted in a field goal and gave the Ragin’ Cajuns their first lead of the season.
It was also the first time USC had trailed in 2026.
The Trojans responded immediately.
USC put together a 12-play scoring drive, with Maiava finding Bowman for a five-yard touchdown. The offense followed with another extended possession, and Maiava connected with Bowman again for another score.
The Trojans continued moving the ball efficiently, eventually producing three consecutive drives of at least 10 plays.
Maiava’s touchdown pass to freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt extended USC’s advantage and demonstrated the depth of young playmakers emerging around him.
Bowman Provides Breakout Performance
Bowman’s performance may have been the most significant offensive development outside of Mosley’s continued brilliance.
The tight end caught six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, all of his touchdowns coming in the first half.
One of his catches was particularly impressive as Bowman hurdled two Louisiana defenders to turn a routine reception into a highlight-reel play.
With USC entering the Big Ten portion of its schedule, Bowman’s emergence gives Maiava another reliable target in the passing game.
The Trojans also continued to show promise on the ground, rushing for 214 yards. Nearly half of those yards came during the fourth quarter after USC had already established control of the game.
Miller accounted for 128 of those rushing yards and added a touchdown.
Defense Gives USC Something to Fix
Although USC’s offense produced 49 points, the defensive performance was considerably less convincing.
The Trojans entered the game coming off a shutout of Fresno State, but Louisiana consistently found ways to create big plays. The Ragin’ Cajuns averaged 7.6 yards per play and scored 20 points after halftime.
Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield caused problems with his legs, rushing for 91 yards and keeping the USC defense from completely settling into the game.
USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri acknowledged afterward that the defense must learn to maintain its intensity throughout four quarters.
The Trojans appeared to lose some of their edge as the game progressed, allowing Louisiana to remain within striking distance deeper into the second half than expected.
That is an issue Riley knows must be corrected quickly.
The Real Test Begins Now
Riley described the overall performance as “up and down,” but USC accomplished its most important objective: entering Big Ten play undefeated.
The Trojans finished their nonconference schedule 3-0 and now face a dramatically more difficult stretch.
USC’s next three games are against Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State, a stretch that will provide a much clearer indication of whether the Trojans are legitimate contenders in their new conference.
USC has already shown flashes of what it can become.
Maiava has produced big numbers. Miller has given the offense balance. Bowman has emerged as a dangerous weapon. And Mosley has quickly established himself as one of the team’s most dynamic players.
Now comes the difficult part.
The Trojans won’t have the luxury of easing into Big Ten competition.
“We’ve been getting adjusted to this,” Mosley said. “But now we go on the road, so that’ll be a new adjustment.”
USC is undefeated.
The conference schedule is about to tell everyone just how good these Trojans really are.
