USC vs Michigan State — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Ethan Thai / Daily Trojan
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Bennett Christofferson & Fabián Gutiérrez from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Ana Hunter & Ethan Thai
Trojans hold on for 45-31 win against Michigan State
After witnessing two blowouts against Missouri State University and Georgia Southern University, USC football fans were due to get their money’s worth from a more compelling game. Saturday’s match against Michigan State was certainly more exciting — and, fortunately for the home crowd, still resulted in a Trojan win.
No. 25 USC (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) brought home its fourth straight win to remain undefeated, taking down the Spartans (3-1, 0-1) in a 45-31 victory at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. A third-quarter Michigan State rally threatened to hand the Trojans another late-game meltdown — reminiscent of the many blown leads that plagued their 2024 season. Still, they managed to hold on, taking the all-time series lead against the Spartans.
Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava continued his Heisman-worthy campaign to start the season, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-26 passing. Maiava showed off his run ability as well, rushing for 31 yards on just four attempts and picking up a touchdown on a brilliant fake pass.
We’re reporting live from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Refresh to see new updates.
Some further reading:
- In its second Big Ten showing, USC will seek to retain its newly-gained spot in the Associated Press Top 25, which it entered for the first time this year after a victory at Purdue.
- Career-first sacks and an electrifying pick-six brought life to the Trojan defensive line in the last game. USC is mixing experience and tenacity with fresh, new faces unafraid to show they’re ready.
- Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn will continue to lead USC’s resurgent defense amid rumors that he is being considered for UCLA’s head coach vacancy.
1:50 a.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Trojans hold on for 45-31 win against Michigan State
After witnessing two blowouts against Missouri State University and Georgia Southern University, USC football fans were due to get their money’s worth from a more compelling game. Saturday’s match against Michigan State was certainly more exciting — and, fortunately for the home crowd, still resulted in a Trojan win.
No. 25 USC (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) brought home its fourth straight win to remain undefeated, taking down the Spartans (3-1, 0-1) in a 45-31 victory at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. A third-quarter Michigan State rally threatened to hand the Trojans another late-game meltdown — reminiscent of the many blown leads that plagued their 2024 season. Still, they managed to hold on, taking the all-time series lead against the Spartans.
Redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava continued his Heisman-worthy campaign to start the season, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-26 passing. Maiava showed off his run ability as well, rushing for 31 yards on just four attempts and picking up a touchdown on a brilliant fake pass.
11:57 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
The Trojans rounded out a high-scoring affair that will move them to 4-0 with a 44-yard first punt of the night. USC’s rushing yards ended up nearly tripling Michigan State’s, 283-108, in yet another dominant running back display. Maiava added five scores of his own — two of them rushing touchdowns — to their second conference victory in a row.
11:51 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Jordan will see out the game averaging 8.7 yards per carry on his attempts tonight. Barring a miracle in the last two minutes, this will become his first game this season without a touchdown.
11:44 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
A play that would’ve meant a lot more earlier in the game nonetheless meant a score for the Spartans, as Chiles threw a rocket that Kelly caught for a 75-yard conversion that came in only the second play of the drive. The five-yard penalty on Connington’s kick attempt did little to prevent him from making it 45-31.
11:41 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Jordan crept back into the red zone, then flew right to the one-yard line before a timeout stopped play with just over three minutes left. This one is looking like another in the win column after Maiava took the keys himself once again and crept up the middle for his second rushing touchdown.
Sayeri’s calves must be sore by now, but not enough for him to miss, and he makes it 45-24.
11:31 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Maiava took the ball back into his hands sitting at 19-for-25, notching 232 yards and three passing scores on the night so far, alongside his early rushing touchdown.
11:29 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Thompkins and Fountain both hunted sophomore running back Brandon Tullis down on back-to-back plays, and a Shelby sack forced Michigan State to play on fourth down. It did not end well. Kelly could not bring in Chiles’ pass, and the Spartans turned the ball over on their own 27-yard line.
11:22 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Just in time to quell Trojan nerves, Lemon broke free on the left side of the end zone and darted in unopposed for his second touchdown of the night, on a four-yard rush of all ways to do it. Sayeri was flawless to make it 38-24.
11:18 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A red zone riot from the Spartans broke through to pressure Maiava enough to throw a dud, but a personal foul call on senior defensive back Ade Willie blessed the Trojans with an automatic first down at the four-yard line right before a Michigan State timeout.
11:15 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A series of rushes for little-to-no gain put the Trojan offense back against the wall, but a fourth-down gamble paid off for Maiava and Lemon, who connected for the eighth time today. The play seemingly energized Jordan to attempt leaping over a defender for the second time today, to no avail this time.
11:12 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
After retreating, spinning and running away from a stifling Michigan State line, Maiava ran for a 13-yard gain, bringing his rushing total to 30 tonight. A misguided pass from Maiava was fortunately caught by McRee and brought USC into Spartan territory.
11:08 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Trojans clinging onto 31-24 lead after third quarter
After Maiava’s third touchdown pass of the game gave USC a 31-10 lead early in the quarter, it looked like the Trojans would once again be cruising to a win at home. However, back-to-back Spartan touchdowns — with a brutally timed USC fumble in the middle — brought the game back within one score. The Trojans head into the fourth quarter hoping to add to their dwindling lead and avoid a late-game meltdown reminiscent of the 2024 squad.
11:07 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
With the clock winding down to mark the end of the third quarter, Lemon energized the Trojans just enough to come into the final 15 minutes with hope of holding on to what would be its second conference win so far. Lemon now has 120 yards, between receptions and rushes, in tonight’s game.
11:00 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
Chiles pushed his way up just enough to earn a Spartan first-and-goal, and Frazier at his best continued to be elusive for the Trojan defense. Senior tight end Jack Velling just barely snuck into the end zone, to the dismay of a home crowd that yelled in surprise at the score’s replay. Connington’s aim was true yet again, and Michigan State made the score 31-24.
10:53 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
The first play of the Trojans’ drive immediately gave possession back to the Spartans, with senior defensive lineman Grady Kelly recovering a Lemon fumble forced by senior defensive back Armorion Smith. Michigan State now finds itself on USC’s 32-yard line with a chance to make this a one-score game with under five minutes left in the third quarter.
10:49 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
Once again, the life of the Michigan State offense was Chiles, who spun off the horde of defenders gathering on the goal line to walk himself to his first score of the game. Connington’s kick is sound, and the Spartans inch closer with a new score of 31-17.
10:45 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Frazier earned 36 yards on four carries, all part of this most recent Michigan State drive that led them to the red zone. The Spartans sit four yards from the end zone after another penalty, now on redshirt senior defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver, as USC takes a timeout to regroup.
10:42 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Three flags in four plays, the latest a pass interference penalty on redshirt senior cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson that pushed the Spartans forward another 15 yards, breathed life into their offense and has Michigan State threatening to score for the first time this half.
10:37 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
The Trojan defense continues to pile the pressure on Chiles, whose inquisitive runs and long-range passes may tire him out before Michigan State finds any other way out. A near-completion meant for McCray almost stifled the Spartans’ drive, but an illegal substitution call gifted them a lifeline first down.
10:31 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
This time, Maiava found sophomore tight end Walker Lyons, who dove right into the end zone’s right corner for his second touchdown of the season so far on a 10-yard reception. Tight ends continue to change last year’s tune for their position, from which no Trojan scores came at all in 2024.
Sayeri’s kick is good, and USC now leads 31-10.
10:26 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Jordan broke for a long run yet again, this time picking up 40 yards to get the Trojans inside the red zone. The junior running back now has 125 yards on 10 carries so far today.
10:25 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Sophomore defensive end Kameryn Fountain and senior defensive end Anthony Lucas backed Chiles into a corner on back-to-back plays and halted the first Spartan drive of the half at their own 23-yard line. The first Michigan State punt of the third quarter was returned for 22 yards by none other than Lemon, starting USC’s drive on its 43-yard line.
10:01 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Trojans hold 24-10 lead over Spartans at halftime
Michigan State is posing more of a challenge than the Trojans’ first two opponents at home — who they outscored by a combined 99 points — but USC still finds itself with a 14-point lead after the first half.
Maiava is once again showing out for the Trojans, finishing the first half with 191 yards on 14-of-20 passing. With Lane absent from today’s game, Lemon has been Maiava’s main target, picking up 113 yards on just six receptions.
Sanders and Jordan continue to dominate the run game, with each rushing for more than 65 yards, and USC has 164 total rushing yards to Michigan State’s 36.
10:00 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A series of slithery runs and weaves from Chiles gave the Trojan defense a few scares in a 0:37 second, 37-yard drive, but the Spartans were limited to a stifled Connington kick from 56 that was low and wide to end the half.
9:54 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
On the first play after a lengthy delay, Maiava found freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines in the end zone for the Trojans’ third touchdown of the game. Sayeri improved to 22-for-22 on his career in extra point attempts, and USC leads 24-10 with just 37 seconds to play in the first half.
9:47 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
The game has come to a halt. Trojan players on the field and the sideline have taken a knee in solidarity, and Michigan State has congregated around Matthews. The lineman is being stretchered off the game after his second tackle of the night.
9:43 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Senior linebacker Wayne Matthews III went down after stopping a Jordan run and is being tended to on the field during a Michigan State timeout.
9:38 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A 17-yard pass out left from Maiava to Lemon bailed out the Trojans from a shaky third-down situation. The play right after, Jordan hurdled a defender and won another first down to put USC within 24 yards of the end zone with a minute left in the half.
9:33 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
The Trojans have five tackles for loss so far, having forced Michigan State back a combined 14 yards, as well as a sack that pushed Chiles back another six. The Spartans are yet to record either.
9:25 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Field goal Spartans.
McCray was a side-step and a stretch away from his second receiving touchdown of the night, but Chiles’ pass could not find him. Freshman kicker Martin Connington’s 29-yard attempt was good and cut the Trojan lead to 17-10.
9:23 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A scrambled snap picked up by senior wide receiver Omari Kelly led to his unlikely 13-yard find of junior tight end Michael Masunas. Kelly once again attempted a pass, but his incompletion puts him at one for two.
9:18 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Lemon is unable to shake the Spartan defense, and senior defensive back Malcolm Bell produces a turnover on downs for USC — the first failed fourth-down attempt of the Trojans’ season so far. Michigan State picks it up at its own 45-yard line.
9:15 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
After a quiet start to the night — for his standards, at least — Jordan broke out for a 35-yard run on the Trojans’ first play of the drive.
9:10 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Michigan State is three and out, thanks to freshman defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart bringing down Chiles for a loss of three yards, and yet another stop by Gentry. Michigan State will be forced to punt for the second straight possession.
9:04 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
A targeting call for a hard hit on redshirt senior tight end Lake McRee, a 15-yard penalty and a disqualification for junior linebacker Jordan Hall put USC closer to the end zone, but Maiava and Lemon’s 40-yard combination is still an impressive way to get the Trojan lead up to 10, after another good Sayeri kick makes the score 17-7.
9:00 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A single 27-yard reception from Lemon flips the script on the receiving yard difference so far. Despite this surge, he is still one yard shy of McCray’s total, the bulk of which comes from Michigan State’s lone scoring play.
8:56 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Redshirt senior linebacker Eric Gentry had his second stop for loss of yards in the game so far, and the game’s first sack from redshirt junior defensive tackle Devan Thompkins and junior defensive end Braylan Shelby forced a Spartan punt for the first time today.
8:52 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Trojans lead 10-7 after a tight first quarter
A brilliant rushing touchdown from Maiava is the difference between both teams so far, but a surging Chiles is still perfect on 5-for-5 passing, and his Spartans have more receiving yards overall. Each possession has ended in a score, and Michigan State is threatening to continue that trend as we head into the second quarter.
8:50 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Chiles threw what would’ve been his first incomplete pass of the game, but a 10-yard holding penalty on redshirt freshman cornerback Marcelles Williams still gave Michigan State their fifth first down, to USC’s nine, as the first quarter wound down.
8:42 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Maiava fooled the whole Coliseum with a fake handoff to Jordan, whose dummy run left the right side of the field wide open for the quarterback’s third rushing touchdown of the year. Maiava is also 5 for 7 on completions so far tonight; along with Sayeri‘s 20th straight extra point kick, the two give USC a 10-7 lead with less than three minutes left in the first quarter.
8:39 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Sanders appears to be the preferred rushing option so far tonight, picking up two runs of 12 or more yards to give the Trojans back-to-back first downs. A 20-yard pass to Lemon puts USC in the red zone once again.
8:30 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
Chiles is starting off hot, hitting junior wide receiver Chrishon McCray for a long and wide-open 42-yard touchdown pass. Michigan State found the end zone before the Trojans in almost half as much possession time and now leads 7-3.
8:22 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
FIELD GOAL TROJANS.
Despite making it as close as Michigan State’s 3-yard line, USC will settle for a field goal as redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava’s pass into the end zone on third down is deflected by a Spartan defender. Nevertheless, the Trojans struck first on a successful kick by redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri, taking a 3-0 lead six minutes into the game.
8:18 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
The running back room continues to dominate opposing offenses; Junior running back Eli Sanders already has 20 rushing yards, with 18 of them coming in his latest carry.
Junior running back Waymond Jordan put the Trojans in the red zone with a 20-yard carry of his own, where they remain even after penalties from both teams.
8:15 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A 15-yard Lemon return had the Trojans start at their own 20-yard line. Three handoffs followed by an 11-yard pass gave USC back-to-back first downs to start the drive.
8:11 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Junior wide receiver Prince Strachan will feature for his second game this year after missing the last two weeks. Last time he played at the Coliseum, he had one 25-yard reception against Missouri State University, and he will hope to add to this total in place of the sidelined Lane.
8:08 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Sports Editor
Former Heisman winner and national champion Matt Leinart announced the Trojans’ entrance out of the tunnel as we get ready for kickoff at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Trojans’ offense will take the field to start the game.
8:02 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Like USC, the Spartans are coming off three wins in a row to start the season. They have put up over 40 points in two of those encounters, thanks in large part to sophomore running back Makhi Frazier as well as Long Beach native junior quarterback Aidan Chiles, who has the second-most total rushing yards this season for Michigan State.
Sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh had 94 yards in the Spartans’ last outing against Youngstown State University, adding to their attacking options.
7:41 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
Junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane will not feature in tonight’s game, per Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times. Lane has the highest average yards per reception of any Trojan so far this season, and is second in total receiving yards only to junior wide receiver Makai Lemon.
7:35 p.m.
Fabián Gutiérrez, Associate Managing Editor
A cloudy night in Exposition Park will rain in on the thus-far unbeaten Trojans when they kick off in about 30 minutes against the Michigan State Spartans for their first Big Ten home game of 2025.
The two teams will face each other for the first time in 34 years to settle a long-tied historic record of 4-4.
