USC vs Georgia Southern — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Mallory Snyder / Daily Trojan
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Sean Campbell & Fabián Gutiérrez from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Braden Dawson & Mallory Snyder
Big plays propel Trojans to dominant 59-20 win over Georgia Southern
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.
We’re reporting live from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Refresh to see new updates.
Some further reading:
- Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton is returning to the Coliseum four years after getting fired from USC as his former school hopes to beat his new squad.
- Football is still outside of the Associated Press and Coaches’ Top 25 polls despite the dominant 73-13 win over Missouri State last week.
- Redshirt freshman walk-on King Miller has made a name for himself in a crowded USC running back room after breaking for a long score last week.
9:20 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Big plays propel Trojans to dominant 59-20 win over Georgia Southern
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.
8:02 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A Longstreet hail mary on third down flew into no man’s land, and the fourth-and-seventeen situation was resolved by a 35-yard punt by the Trojans, USC’s third of the game.
7:58 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
More rushing yards in favor of the Trojans, added by freshman running back Harry Dalton III as well as Miller and Longstreet, make it an average of 9.4 yards per attempt on the night. The dominant rushing display is spearheaded, still, by Jordan’s soaring numbers.
7:52 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Redshirt junior quarterback Turner Helton entered the game for the Eagles but did not produce enough magic to prevent Georgia Southern’s seventh punt of the game.
7:46 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Redshirt freshman running back King Miller is back in the end zone. A darting run after a handoff from Longstreet gave him a 41-yard score. A kick, pushed 5 yards back due to a false start call, was up and good, putting USC one point shy of another 60-point game with just over 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
7:42 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Freshman quarterback Husan Longstreet took to the field for the first time tonight, relieving Maiava who had 412 yards on 16-for-24 attempts at the time of the change.
7:37 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
More misguided passes prove costly for Georgia Southern, and a long attempt meant for Brown does not connect on the Eagles’ third down try. Helton’s boys punt once again.
7:33 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Another big catch from Lyons added 36 yards to the Trojan attack and put Maiava and company in the red zone once again. The catch set up Sanders who ran five yards into the end zone for his second of the game and the third USC rushing touchdown of the second half. A good kick made it 52-20 in another high-scoring outing for the Trojans.
7:28 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Run game takes over to maintain big Trojan lead after three quarters
After redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava’s four-touchdown performance headlined the first half for USC, junior running back Waymond Jordan and redshirt senior running back Eli Sanders both scored touchdowns to put the Trojans up 45-20 with just one quarter to play.
Jordan had two rushes of at least 35 yards in the quarter, including the last play of the period. He is averaging 10.4 yards per carry with 167 total. Sanders has rushed for 46 yards on six attempts.
While the teams are only separated by one first down, big gains have propelled USC to a massive lead. USC’s 601 yards from scrimmage are more than double Georgia Southern’s 293.
7:27 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Once again, Jordan broke through the line and painted 35 yards cardinal and gold, wrapping up the third quarter on the Eagles’ 35-yard line. That makes it 215 rushing yards in 23 attempts for a set of running backs that continues to dominate the Eagles.
7:21 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Eagles.
Cobb reached up and grabbed a French pass for his second gain of at least 13 yards on the drive and the Eagles’ third score, despite having a defender on his tail. Freshman kicker Tripp Bryant made the extra point for Georgia Southern’s 20th point. USC now leads 45-20.
7:18 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Despite facing third-and-10 on their own 41-yard line, the Eagle offense surged thanks to efforts from senior wide receiver Dalen Cobb, junior running back David Mbadinga and Brown put them in the red zone with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.
7:05 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
A penalty on second-and-goal from the two-yard line gave the Trojans a fresh set of downs that set up Sanders to power through one yard for his first score of the game. Sayeri stays perfect on the night and makes it 45 for USC.
After four passing touchdowns in the first half, both of USC’s second-half scores have come on the ground.
7:04 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC’s 415 first-half yards are the most in a half since October 2016 and more than double Georgia Southern’s tally, helping them to a 45-13 lead around halfway through the third quarter. Since the start of the second half, the Trojan ground game has taken over with both Jordan and Sanders scoring touchdowns. Maiava is now 14-for-21 with 377 yards.
7:02 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
After a 61-yard pass reception from sophomore wide receiver Zacharyus Williams put the Trojans in the red zone and redshirt senior running back Eli Sanders crept another 6 yards, Helton used his first timeout of the second half.
6:56 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
French, now 14-for-24, was unable to find a receiver on the Eagles’ third-down try, leading to Georgia Southern’s second punt in as many drives this half. While the Eagles have held the ball for roughly two minutes longer than USC thus far, their 212 yards from scrimmage are less than half of the Trojans’ 486.
6:52 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Back-to-back Jordan carries lead to another USC touchdown, this one for 36 yards. Jordan has 132 yards on 15 rushes, averaging 8.8 yards per carry. Sayeri’s extra point attempt was good once again and the Trojans soared to a 37-13 lead.
6:46 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Georgia Southern started the second half from the 25-yard line but failed to move the chains despite French completing two passes. The Trojan offense will take over on their own 29-yard line after junior punter Alex Smith sent the ball 37 yards.
6:25 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Maiava’s four first-half touchdowns the difference in still-close game
While Maiava has slowed down since he completed his first seven passes for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns, the Trojans have still consistently broken out for big plays en route to a 31-13 lead at halftime. Maiava is now 12-for-18 with 304 yards and four touchdown passes.
USC’s 415 first-half yards are the most in a half since October 2016 and more than double Georgia Southern’s tally.
Lemon has caught four passes for 158 yards, including two touchdown catches of more than 62 yards. Lane has caught three passes, including a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab and a 53-yard catch.
While the deep running back room led the charge against Missouri State University, it has been mostly Jordan today. Jordan had 73 yards on 11 attempts but also lost a fumble that led to an Eagle touchdown.
The defensive line has put the pressure on French, combining for four sacks, two of which came from Lucas.
6:16 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
A near interception from redshirt senior Dorrian Smith looked like it would set the Eagles up to score in the final minute of the half before officially getting called incomplete. The incompletion still forced the Trojans into their second punt of the game as Georgia Southern will get the ball at their own 19-yard line hoping to make something happen.
6:14 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Another sack on French, this time by sophomore defensive end Kameryn Fountain, pushed the Eagles back into their own territory. Lucas piled on the pressure and took the Georgia Southern quarterback down for the second time in three plays and all but wrapped up the defense’s first half.
6:04 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Sophomore tight end Walker Lyons caught a Maiava feed and powered into the end zone, followed by another Sayeri conversion to raise the Trojan lead to 18.
Lyons’ touchdown was the third for a USC tight end this season just a year after no tight ends reached the end zone last season.
6:01 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The Trojan offense looks to be back in form near the end of the first half after securing three straight first downs. Redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee got it started by catching his first pass of the game for a 22-yard gain, followed by a 26-yard catch for Lane and a 15-yard run from redshirt senior Eli Sanders. Maiava is now 11-for-15 with 290 yards.
5:56 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Helton’s Eagles lost out in a fourth-and-two situation after senior running back OJ Arnold dropped a pass in the flat that looked like it may have gone for a first down. USC will take over on their own 23-yard line after stopping a 52-yard Georgia Southern drive.
5:46 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
A 26-yard field goal attempt from Sayeri was good. The Trojans now lead 24-13 with just under 9 minutes left in the half.
5:44 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Lane turned around mid run and pulled in 53-yard completion despite an Eagle defender earning a pass interference call on the play. The third-down catch was the second time the Trojans moved the chains since Lemon’s 74-yard touchdown near the end of the first quarter. Maiava has cooled off as of late, and is now 9-for-13 as USC settled for a field goal try in the red zone.
5:38 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Eagles.
Georgia Southern’s Brown caught his second touchdown pass of the game, this time via French. Junior defensive end Braylan Shelby conceded a personal foul earlier in the drive that put the Eagles in range for the score.
5:33 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC started off the second quarter with its first punt of the game after Maiava threw his first two incompletions in three plays to close the opening period. After earning two first downs, the Eagles have the ball in USC territory.
5:27 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
USC has convincing lead despite first-drive fumble
A fumble from Jordan on USC’s third play of the game set Georgia Southern University up for an early 6-0 lead, but it has been all USC since.
Two touchdowns of 62 or more yards from Lemon, as well as a consistent attack from Jordan, have the Trojans up 21-6. After three drives, Maiava was a perfect 7-for-7 with 194 yards and three touchdowns.
The Trojan defense has held up well against the Eagles, forcing multiple punts and intercepting French late in the quarter.
5:25 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Redshirt senior cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson managed to pick off French’s attempt and get USC’s first interception of the game with 1:15 left in the first quarter. The Trojans start back up at their own 15-yard line.
5:22 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Another Maiava pass leads to Lemon’s second long touchdown of the game, this one a 74-yard reception. The receiver bolted unopposed down the left side of the field and Sayeri made it a 21-6 lead for USC as the first quarter wound down.
5:16 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Senior defensive end Anthony Lucas took down French on the Eagles’ third down try, concluding an already tenuous drive for Georgia Southern. The sack, USC’s first of the game, pushed Georgia Southern clearly out of field-goal range.
USC took over on their own 15-yard line.
5:13 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Sophomore cornerback Chasen Johnson was called for pass interference after a deep third-down pass from French was incomplete, giving the Eagles a new set of downs at USC’s 35-yard line.
5:09 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
After shedding two tackles and evading multiple defenders, junior wide receiver Makai Lemon ran for 53 yards after the catch for a 62-yard Trojan touchdown, scoring USC’s second touchdown in three drives. The score was Lemon’s first touchdown of the season.
Sayeri converted again and the Trojans now lead 14-6.
5:06 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
The USC defense brought the pressure to redshirt junior quarterback JC French IV as his pass on third-and-5 fell out of bounds, forcing the first punt of the game for either side. The Trojans will start with the ball on their own 20-yard line.
5:00 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Two drives in, Jordan is already exploiting the Eagle run defense that surrendered 351 yards in its loss to Fresno State University last week. He already has seven carries for 51 yards, including two runs of 13 or more yards.
4:57 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane stretched in the air, pulling in a spectacular one-handed catch for a 12-yard touchdown from redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri made the point after to give the Trojans a one-point lead with just under 9 minutes to play in the first quarter.
4:52 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Despite fumbling on the Trojans’ opening drive, Jordan is still clearly the top option for USC. He carried the ball on two of USC’s first three plays of its second drive, including a 13-yard first-down run.
4:46 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Eagles.
With a Trojan defender in his face, Georgia Southern senior wide receiver Camden Brown caught a 32-yard touchdown pass on third down. The Eagles declined a USC pass interference call on the play.
The Eagles failed a two-point try and now lead 6-0.
4:41 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Junior running back Waymond Jordan lost a fumble after a five-yard gain that would’ve given USC its second first down of the opening drive. Georgia Southern took over on USC’s 41-yard line with a good opportunity to score but is now facing third-and-6 on the 37-yard line.
4:35 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Redshirt sophomore Micah Banuelos will make his first start of the season at right guard, USC announced just ahead of kickoff.
4:33 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
The Trojans won the coin toss and elected to receive. USC’s offense will take the field first in game two.
4:31 p.m.
Sean Campbell, Sports Editor
Former USC wide receiver Deontay Burnett led the Trojans out of the tunnel about four minutes before they face off against former Head Coach Clay Helton’s Georgia Southern team. Helton was the head coach during two of Burnett’s three years at USC.
USC also announced Georgia Southern was led by Helton during Georgia Southern’s run out, which is not a standard procedure.
4:00 p.m.
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