USC football battles UCLA on Saturday after beating Nebraska

USC secured a critical 28-20 victory over Nebraska last Saturday, improving to 5-5 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play, keeping their bowl eligibility hopes alive. The offense showed signs of revival under new quarterback Jayden Maiava, a dynamic transfer from UNLV. In his first start, Maiava completed 25 of 35 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing score. His ability to extend plays and execute in the run, pass, option (RPO) game added a new dimension to the Trojan attack.

Last Saturday sophomore wide receiver Duce Robinson had his best performance of the season, hauling in four receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Maiava connected on four passes of 20 yards or more, providing Head Coach Lincoln Riley with greater flexibility in play calling. Meanwhile, running back Woody Marks continued his stellar campaign, rushing 19 times for 146 yards, including a game-sealing 34-yard run late in the fourth quarter that set up a touchdown, and adding six receptions for 36 yards. Riley praised Marks' toughness, saying, "He comes to compete, and he's answered the bell for us all year long."

Despite the victory, USC's struggles were evident on both sides of the ball. The offense failed to reach 30 points again-a benchmark Riley's teams routinely hit at Oklahoma and early in his USC tenure. Maiava, while playing really good football most of the game, made costly mistakes, including a pick-six on the opening drive and a fumble deep in USC territory that led to a Nebraska field goal. Defensively, the Trojans stepped up in key moments but still showed vulnerabilities, leaving the team teetering on the edge of mediocrity.

Coach Riley acknowledged Maiava's growing pains while highlighting positives in the quarterback's performance. "His trust in giving guys opportunities to make plays. I think that was the thing he did best. He missed a few throws he normally makes, but for most of the game, he played very decisively," While not a full endorsement, his comments helped temper some of the criticism surrounding the quarterback position for now.

In the post-game press conference following the Nebraska game, Riley emphasized the importance of finishing strong. "To become the program we want to be, we need to play some of our best football down the stretch,"

Riley's tenure at USC is facing growing scrutiny. Before 2023, he had never lost more than two regular-season games in a single year. Now, for the second consecutive season, USC has suffered at least five losses. While Riley's substantial buyout secures his short-term job security, another disappointing campaign in 2025 could push the program's patience to its limit.

Looking ahead, USC's path to bowl eligibility hinges on its final two games: a rivalry showdown against UCLA on Saturday and a pivotal home matchup against 6th-ranked Notre Dame on November 30. Neither victory is guaranteed, and the pressure to secure at least one win is mounting. The Trojans' performance in these matchups could define their season and have a significant impact on Riley's future as USC's head coach.