In the latest kickoff time for USC’s season-opening three-game stint at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Trojans took care of business and defeated the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, 49-30. 

Last week’s shutout against Fresno State University (1-1) could have foreshadowed a similar ending Saturday night, but that was not the case: The Ragin’ Cajuns (1-1) continuously clawed back into the match, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to keep them alive, but to no avail. 

No. 14 USC (3-0) still managed to defeat Louisiana by 19 points despite redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava throwing an interception in the first drive of the game. Multiple freshmen rose to the occasion, as every single touchdown before the fourth quarter was scored by a trio of tip-top Trojan freshmen.

Louisiana was first on the board in Saturday’s showdown thanks to a field goal from redshirt senior kicker Tony Sterner. However, the Trojans quickly bounced back with Maiava throwing a 5-yard touchdown to freshman tight end Mark Bowman, giving him his first career touchdown. 

In the final minute of the first quarter, Bowman completed a 35-yard pass from Maiava, complete with a hurdle over Louisiana’s defense to give the Trojans a first down heading into the second quarter. 

USC went on to dominate the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns to Louisiana’s one. 

Bowman’s back-to-back touchdowns set the tone for other freshmen to tap into the touchdown game. Maiava found freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, giving him his second career touchdown, before throwing one to freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley. Mosley already had three scores to his name before Saturday’s game, now notching two more in the touchdown column. 

Maiava threw a career-high five passing touchdowns on the evening despite completing 66% of his throws, a step down from his highly efficient performances in USC’s first two games. 

Each touchdown put the Trojans’ offensive chemistry on display under Maiava, making way for freshman quarterback Jonas Williams to get in on the action in the fourth quarter. However, it was redshirt sophomore King Miller who scored the final touchdown of the night for USC after rushing for 128 total yards. 

Late in the fourth quarter, Louisiana found slight cracks in the USC defense. The Cajuns scored two touchdowns, narrowing USC’s lead, but their efforts were too little too late, as the Trojans finished the game up 19 points. 

USC will travel to Piscataway, New Jersey, to play Rutgers (0-2) to open conference play Saturday at 12:30 p.m.