USC only had two more first downs than Georgia Southern University and hardly ever had a lead in possession in Saturday’s game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. While those are signs that would typically point to a close game, on Saturday it pointed to quite the opposite.

The Trojans (2-0) never needed first downs or possession time in their 59-20 blowout win over the Eagles (0-2) because they consistently broke for massive gains, dismantling the Georgia Southern defense en route to their second straight high-scoring game to start the season. USC’s 415 first-half yards were the most in a half since October 2016.

Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava started off hot, completing his first seven passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He would add his fourth and final touchdown in the second quarter before getting relieved by freshman quarterback Husan Longstreet midway through the fourth quarter. Maiava finished with a career-high 412 yards and another serious bid for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, which he won last week despite only playing the first half. 

Maiava showcased his connection with junior wide receiver Makai Lemon yet again as they connected for two touchdowns of more than 62 yards early on. Lemon finished with 158 yards and now has more than 250 on the season after just two games.

Junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane and sophomore tight end Walker Lyons also contributed touchdowns — Lane’s coming on a spectacular, one-handed grab in the second quarter. Lyons’s touchdown was the third for a USC tight end this season after none reached the end zone in 2024.

While it was Maiava and the dynamic receiving corps that put the Trojans up early, it was the running back room, led by junior running back Waymond Jordan, that brought them home. All four of USC’s second-half touchdowns came from running backs as they took it to a Georgia Southern defense that previously surrendered 351 rushing yards in its week one loss to Fresno State University (2-1).

Jordan led the charge for the talented running back room, despite losing a fumble on USC’s third play of the game, going for a monstrous 167 yards on 16 attempts, an average of 10.4 yards per carry, including a 36-yard touchdown. Redshirt senior running back Eli Sanders punched in two short touchdowns and finished the game with 52 yards. Redshirt freshman King Miller made the most of his playing time late in the game, scoring a 41-yard touchdown on one of his three carries.

USC’s defensive line consistently put pressure on redshirt junior quarterback JC French IV, sacking him four times and forcing numerous throwaways contributing to their seven punts. Senior defensive end Anthony Lucas sacked French twice while redshirt senior linebacker Eric Gentry got to the quarterback for one of his team-high 10 tackles. Redshirt senior cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson shut down early comeback momentum for the Eagles with an interception near the end of the first quarter.

The Trojans will begin Big Ten play Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Purdue (2-0) in West Lafayette, Indiana.