Trojans face scrutiny after uneven season opener
USC opened the 2026 season with a convincing win over San José State, but the final score only tells part of the story. The Trojans built a commanding lead before the game took an unexpected turn late, putting several aspects of their performance under the spotlight.
With expectations high entering the season, USC’s opener has already sparked plenty of discussion. Here’s a closer look at what happened and what stood out.
Maiava delivered an efficient start
Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown, giving him three total scores in the opener.
Maiava was entering his second full season as USC’s starting quarterback after producing 3,711 passing yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2025 season. He also recorded six rushing scores.
The offense reached 500 yards
USC produced 505 total yards on 76 offensive plays against San José State. The Trojans gained 341 passing yards and 164 rushing yards, averaging 6.6 yards per play.
USC also converted 9 of 13 third-down attempts, and 6 of its drives ended with touchdowns. The Trojans did not lose a fumble, but backup quarterback Jonas Williams threw an interception late in the fourth quarter.
New receivers made immediate impacts
Trent Mosley led USC with seven receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in his first game for the Trojans. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt also caught a touchdown pass during the second quarter.
USC finished with 341 passing yards, and Maiava completed passes to multiple receivers while working with several new offensive contributors in the opener. Mosley also scored his first USC touchdown.
USC used several rushing options
USC rushed for 164 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns against San José State. King Miller led the Trojans with 63 rushing yards, while Riley Wormley and Shahn Alston each scored rushing touchdowns.
The Trojans also received a rushing score from Maiava, giving the offense four different players with rushing touchdowns during the season opener.
The defense controlled the opening half
USC’s defense held San José State scoreless during the first two quarters. The Spartans managed 66 yards on a 14-play second-quarter drive before USC stopped them on fourth down at the Trojans’ 9-yard line.
San José State finished with 102 rushing yards and 234 passing yards, totaling 336 yards for the game against USC. The Spartans did not score until the third quarter.
The fourth quarter changed the score
San José State scored 23 points in the fourth quarter after entering the period behind 35-3. Quarterback Luke Weaver threw 2 fourth-quarter touchdown passes and added a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
The Spartans produced 119 yards during the final quarter, while USC scored once in the period to secure a 42-26 victory at home. USC’s largest lead was 32 points.
USC’s backup defense faced pressure
USC used multiple defensive players during the fourth quarter, when San José State mounted its comeback. Coach Lincoln Riley said afterward that several players receiving opportunities did not perform as expected and that the team needs its depth.
The Spartans completed 3 consecutive touchdown drives late, making the final margin smaller than the earlier score suggested. USC’s defense recorded no takeaways, while San José State made the game’s only interception against backup quarterback Jonas Williams.
Interesting fact: The Coliseum has been USC’s football home since 1923. The Trojans played the first varsity football game at the stadium and have remained closely tied to the historic Los Angeles venue for more than a century.
Weaver kept San José State competitive
San José State quarterback Luke Weaver completed 21 of 32 passes for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards and scored once, while throwing no interceptions.
The Spartans finished with 336 total yards, converted 5 of 11 third downs, and committed no turnovers against USC during the season opener. Weaver passed for 74 yards in the fourth quarter.
Interesting fact: USC has produced eight Heisman Trophy winners, with the most recent being Caleb Williams in 2022. The program’s first Heisman winner was Mike Garrett in 1965.
USC entered with major expectations
USC began the season ranked No. 14 in the Associated Press Top 25 and returned an FBS-high 15 starters. The Trojans finished 9-4 overall and 7-2 in Big Ten play during 2025, placing fourth in the conference.
USC is seeking its first College Football Playoff appearance after joining the Big Ten in 2024. The program has not reached the playoff since its creation.
Attendance became another storyline
USC announced attendance of 51,144 for the San José State game, the lowest figure for a home game during Lincoln Riley’s tenure. Temperatures reached 94 degrees at kickoff, with the heat index exceeding 100 degrees.
USC later called for increased attendance at future games, while the school said extreme heat contributed to the sparse crowd. The previous opener drew 62,841 fans.
The defense faces an early test
USC introduced Gary Patterson as its new defensive coordinator for the 2026 season. The Trojans recorded 1 sack and no takeaways against San José State while allowing 336 total yards.
The Spartans’ 23-point fourth quarter gives USC an early area to address before Friday’s game against Fresno State. Patterson served as TCU’s head coach from 2000 through 2021.
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Fresno State is next
USC will host Fresno State on Friday, Sept. 4, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Fresno State will be playing its season opener after USC’s Week 0 game, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Pacific time on FOX.
The game gives USC another home contest before its Big Ten schedule begins, with the Trojans carrying a 1-0 record into the matchup.
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What did you think of USC’s Week 0 performance against San José State? Like this slideshow if you’re following the Trojans this season, and comment with your thoughts on the team’s start and what you expect from USC’s next game.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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