USC vs Fresno State — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Aaron Ogawa / Daily Trojan
📌 PINNED
Caleb Olguin and Dillon Zamperin from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Luis Ochea and Cristiana Vladescu
No. 14 USC football dominates Fresno State in 39-0 victory
Fresh off a convincing Week 0 win against San Jose State University, USC football came into a rare Friday-night kickoff on short rest, looking to continue its momentum in Week 1.
The Trojans (2-0) faced a familiar foe on Fresno State University’s (0-1) sideline, as Bulldog Head Coach Matt Entz is a former USC assistant coach for defense and linebackers.
While the Trojans started relatively slowly, only scoring one touchdown and fumbling in the first quarter, their 23-point second quarter put the game out of reach en route to a 39-0 victory over Fresno State.
Further reading:
- USC and its fans were criticized for their lack of attendance during last week’s game. Riley isn’t concerned with it, though, as he dismisses the social media buzz.
- The Trojans have historically had success against the Bulldogs, but will Fresno State be able to change that in their first game as a member of the Pac-12? USC has room to improve from last week’s victory and will look to do so on Friday.
- While USC dominated on Saturday, Riley stated he wanted the team’s intensity to last the entire game. The Trojans will look to play a full four quarters of quality football tonight.
- Maiava thrived in USC’s Week 0 win, but can he still perform when the lights are brightest? Sports Editor Dillon Zamperin is skeptical, but knows he has the talent to do so.
9:07 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Redshirt freshman defensive end Jaydn Ramos wraps up Fresno State’s junior quarterback Jayden Mandal for a sack on fourth down in the red zone to secure the Trojan win.
8:55 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
USC piles on to its lead with a 6-yard rushing touchdown from freshman running back Deshonne Redeaux. The 79-yard drive took up nearly seven minutes as time continues to wind down on Friday night’s game.
Williams has looked comparable to Maiava since entering the game, completing all six of his passes thus far for 63 yards.
Chittenden adds an extra point to give the Trojans a 39-0 lead.
8:45 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Sophomore wide receiver Corey Simms breaks loose on a 34-yard catch-and-run, moving the ball into Fresno State’s territory. USC is threatening to add to its already monstrous lead.
8:40 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
The Trojans’ defense is doing something it didn’t do in Saturday’s game against San Jose State: Keeping pressure on the quarterback and keeping the opponent off the scoreboard.
USC’s defense is doing that and more, only allowing 56 yards of offense by the Bulldogs. Another three-and-out gives the Trojans the ball back yet again as Fresno State has yet to record even one point.
8:19 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
In one of the most efficient games of his career, Jayden Maiava will now hit the bench as freshman quarterback Jonas Williams takes the field.
Maiava will end the night with 349 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, a completion percentage of 92% and a high quarterback rating of 248.9.
The Heisman hopeful continues to stamp his name in voters’ minds, following an absolutely dominant performance.
8:11 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
SAFETY TROJANS.
USC records its second safety of the game, this time thanks to redshirt freshman safety Alex Graham’s sack. The Trojans add to their 32-point lead and will get the ball back.
8:10 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
A promising USC drive ends in a red zone fumble from Dixon-Wyatt just seven yards away from the end zone. The Trojans have now recorded two fumbles on offense.
Fresno State gets the ball with nearly an entire field to go.
8:02 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Maiava connects with freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for a 30-yard dart, pushing Maiava over 300 passing yards in the game.
7:59 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
The first drive of the second half for Fresno State ends in three plays as USC’s defense continues to stuff Mandal.
A 48-yard punt from the Bulldog junior punter Clay Lawrence and a penalty from redshirt sophomore linebacker Jaydn Walker put the ball at USC’s own 10-yard line.
7:29 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Jordan rushes in for a two-yard touchdown, recording his first score of the season and capitalizing on great field position. This marks Jordan’s first touchdown since his injury-plagued 2025 season.
Chittenden hits the extra point once again, putting the Trojans up 30-0 in USC’s final drive of the first half.
7:21 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
Urlacher makes another big play, strip-sacking Mandal. Sophomore defensive tackle Floyd Boucard recovered the fumble as USC takes over in Fresno State territory.
The Trojans are 29 yards out from the end zone with two minutes left in the first half.
7:15 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Maiava finds Mosley on the right side for a nine-yard touchdown. Mosley records his second score, while Maiava throws for his third touchdown of the night, completing the Trojans’ 65-yard scoring drive.
Chittenden converts his third extra point of the night, putting USC up 23-0 nearing the end of the first half.
7:10 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
SAFETY TROJANS.
Junior safety Kennedy Urlacher forces a safety as Mandal is forced out of the back of the end zone.
USC leads 16-0 as it gets the ball back on its own 35-yard line.
7:07 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
Maiava gets stopped short on the fourth-down quarterback sneak. The Trojans turn the ball over on downs in the red zone, giving Fresno State the ball at their own 13-yard line.
6:58 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
The Trojan defense forces a three-and-out for the first time tonight. Mosley returns the ball for 19 yards as USC begins the drive at its own 45-yard line.
6:49 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Maiava finds freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley open for a 68-yard touchdown. Maiava now has two touchdown passes on the night and nearly 200 passing yards.
Chittenden knocks in the extra point, putting the Trojans up 14-0 partway through the second quarter.
6:45 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
USC’s defense prevents Fresno State from entering the red zone once again, forcing a 25-yard punt. The Trojans get the ball back once again after Jordan’s fumble cut the last drive short.
6:30 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
Redshirt senior running back Waymond Jordan fumbles the ball on Fresno State’s 43-yard line as the Bulldogs take the ball back.
6:22 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
Redshirt senior Prophet Brown picks off Fresno State’s junior quarterback Jayden Mandal for USC’s first interception of the season. The Trojans will take over at their own 15-yard line.
6:13 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Maiava finds Hines wide open in the end zone, completing an eight-yard pass in Hines’ season debut. Maiava threw for 82 yards on the Trojans’ first drive.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Cayden Chittenden converts on the extra point to make it 7-0 Trojans.
6:08 p.m.
Caleb Olguin, Sports Editor
Maiava completes a pass to freshman wide receiver Tron Baker for a gain of 27 yards down the right sideline to put the ball in Fresno State’s territory.
6:05 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Fresno State won the coin toss, deferring the ball until the second half, meaning the Trojans will receive the kickoff to start Friday night’s game.
