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.

As has often been the case during USC’s hot start, the Trojans’ running backs dominated the field, with junior Waymond Jordan and redshirt senior Eli Sanders combining for 241 yards on 31 carries. Jordan picked up triple-digit yards for the second time this season, highlighted by two rushes of 35 or more yards.

The absence of junior wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who averaged 26.6 yards on nine receptions across USC’s first three games, could have spelled disaster if not for the presence of junior wide receiver Makai Lemon.

Lemon’s 127 receiving yards on eight receptions during the game were far and away the most of any Trojan, with no other player receiving the ball more than twice. His 4-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter — following a 40-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter — stopped a 14-0 run by the Spartans to provide USC a bit of insurance.

Toward the end of the second quarter, Michigan State senior linebacker Wayne Matthews III went down with an injury, delaying the game for several minutes. Trojans and Spartans alike knelt on the field while Matthews was being tended to — a brief moment of unity in an otherwise aggressive match. The Trojans hardly seemed fazed by the pause, however, with Maiava finding freshman wide receiver Tanook Hines in the end zone on the very next play to bring the lead to 24-10.

Despite allowing its highest number of points in a game so far this season, USC’s defense held down Michigan State junior quarterback Aiden Chiles well enough to secure the victory, with junior defensive end Braylan Shelby picking up one and a half sacks on the Spartans’ frontman. The defensive line limited Michigan State to just 3.5 yards per rush, less than half of USC’s 7.6.

Redshirt freshman kicker Ryon Sayeri continued his impressive start to his first full year with USC, notching a field goal and making all six of his extra point attempts to reach 25-for-25 this season.

Next up, the Trojans will hit the road once more as they face off against No. 9 Illinois (3-1, 0-1) on Saturday at 9 a.m. in Champaign, Ill.