LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jayden Maiava and the Southern California offense gave the impression to be rolling to a different snug victory when a scary damage for Michigan State and a sequence of huge errors by the Trojans tightened up their late-night assembly as soon as once more.
The No. 25 Trojans shook all of it off and comfortably completed off the largest problem but to their unbeaten begin.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) gestures through the first half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Southern California, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles warms up earlier than an NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Southern California, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Michigan State place kicker Martin Connington, proper, and Ryan Eckley (96) have fun after an additional level through the second half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Southern California, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Michigan State working again Makhi Frazier (5) runs the ball as Southern California defensive deal with Jide Abasiri (97) makes an attempt to make a deal with through the second half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) prepares to throw the ball through the first half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs the ball into the tip zone for a landing through the first half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California extensive receiver Tanook Hines (16) and extensive receiver Makai Lemon (6) have fun after a landing by Hines as tight finish Lake McRee, left, runs and Michigan State defensive again Jeremiah Hughes, proper, appears to be like on through the first half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Michigan State linebacker Wayne Matthews III exits the sport on a cart with medical workers after an damage through the first half of NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Southern California, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Southern California and Michigan State gamers and workers kneel after an NCAA faculty soccer recreation, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jessie Alcheh)
Maiava threw three landing passes and rushed for 2 extra scores, and Makai Lemon made a 40-yard TD catch and ran for an additional rating in USC’s 45-31 victory on Saturday night time.
Maiava handed for 236 yards, Waymond Jordan rushed for 157 yards and Lemon had 127 yards receiving in a fourth straight snug victory for USC (4-0, 2-0 Huge Ten), which is off to its greatest begin since coach Lincoln Riley’s first season in 2022.
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Tanook Hines and Walker Lyons additionally caught TD passes because the Trojans surged away close to halftime and capably dealt with a late rally by the Spartans (3-1, 0-1) to win the brand new convention rivals’ first assembly since 1990.
“That was a game that had some unique twists and turns,” Riley stated. “I thought we were controlling the game, (and then) obviously we had a couple of errors there in the third quarter with the penalties … and the turnover that allowed them to come back and capture some momentum. But I thought our team responded and separated back in a really good way. A lot to learn from. A lot that’s got to continue to get better, but if you’re learning lessons as you win, it’s hard not to be excited.”
The sport additionally stopped for greater than 10 minutes whereas Michigan State linebacker Wayne Matthews left the sector, was stabilized and transported on a cart after he received damage whereas tackling Jordan 42 seconds earlier than halftime. Matthews gave a thumbs-up to his teammates earlier than being pushed away.
“What I was just told quickly is that we’re going through all the thorough evaluations,” Spartans coach Jonathan Smith said. “Took him over to the hospital. Positive signs, but they were looking for confirmations on tests and things.”
The Spartans additionally performed the second half with out beginning linebacker Jordan Corridor, who was ejected for focusing on.
Lengthy Seashore native Aidan Chiles threw three landing passes and rushed for an additional rating for the Spartans, who fell wanting solely their second 4-0 begin previously decade. Chiles accounted for 243 of the Spartans’ 333 complete yards.
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Whereas USC’s offense marched up and down the sector and didn’t punt till the ultimate minute, the protection made repeated errors in protection and in self-discipline, accounting for a lot of the Trojans’ 10 penalties.
“Coming into the game, we thought we would be better from that standpoint (of containing Chiles),” USC defensive lineman Devan Thompkins stated. “We’ve got to continue to improve, but I feel like we did what we could today.”
Chrishon McCray slipped behind the Trojans’ secondary for an untouched 42-yard TD catch on Michigan State’s first drive, however USC scored touchdowns on 4 of its subsequent 5 drives. Lyons’ TD catch put USC forward 31-10 proper after halftime.
“I mean, we knew coming into this they were a great offense,” Michigan State defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren stated. “What are they, the best offense statistically in the country? We knew that they were a big, explosive operation, and we needed to come out and start fast. And we necessarily didn’t do that.”
After Chiles rushed for a rating to finish a drive prolonged by 4 USC penalties, Grady Kelly recovered a fumble on the Trojans’ subsequent snap and Michigan State drove for Jack Velling’s brief TD catch.
However Lemon scored on a jet sweep with 8:20 left to cap a 13-play drive, and Maiava added his second TD run.
Omari Kelly caught a 75-yard TD move for Michigan State with 2:39 to play.
Accidents
USC performed with out beginning receiver Ja’Kobi Lane because of an undisclosed damage that would hold him out subsequent week, Riley stated. Left deal with Elijah Paige missed the second half with an damage.
Takeaways
Michigan St.: Matthews’ sobering damage forged a pall over the night time, however the Spartans confirmed character in responding with a powerful second half. The rebuilding venture by Smith, a local of close by Glendora, California, has proven progress all through this 3-1 begin.
USC: The Trojans’ offense remained spectacular in its hardest check but, racking up 517 yards — topping 460 for the fourth consecutive recreation after hitting that mark simply as soon as in final season’s remaining 9 video games. Riley’s program hasn’t had this a lot momentum since his second season, however a troublesome journey to Illinois is looming.
Up subsequent
Michigan State has a bye earlier than visiting Nebraska on Oct. 4.
USC visits the Illini on Sept. 27.
