USC vs San Jose State — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Aaron Ogawa / Daily Trojan
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Bennett Christofferson and Dillon Zamperin from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Matthew Diederich and Aaron Ogawa
No. 14 USC football handles San Jose State for 42-26 season-opening win
An opening kickoff temperature of 94 degrees coincided with a hot Trojan offense that earned its 10th straight season-opening victory on Saturday afternoon.
A rare Week 0 game for No. 14 USC (1-0) proved to be no trouble even with the heat, as the Trojans dismantled San Jose State (0-1) and the Spartans’ defense, 42-26.
As 51,144 of USC’s most loyal fans filed into Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Trojans put on a show, scoring a touchdown in each quarter and outscoring the Spartans by 16, though they led by as much as 32 late in the third quarter.
Further reading:
- Armed with a new-look coaching staff and the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, USC is in prime position to finally earn its first-ever College Football Playoff bid.
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is making several “enhancements” to the game day experience in 2026, including the replacement of longtime in-stadium host DJ Mal-Ski.
- Maiava has proven himself to be a talented quarterback — but can he handle the pressure of a must-win final season at USC?
- The Trojans’ season opener falls during Week 0, one of the most exciting parts of the college football season, according to Sports Editor Caleb Olguin.
3:10 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Despite a late surge by the Spartans, this game belongs to USC. The Trojans will leave Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a 42-26 victory, marking a strong start for a team looking to finally fulfill its College Football Playoff dreams.
3:08 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
A pass interference call brought San Jose State to the Trojans’ 7-yard line, and Weaver proceeded to run it in himself for the third Spartan touchdown of the quarter. A subsequent two-point conversion put the score at 42-26 — a far cry from USC’s 32-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
3:02 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Caught in a sea of Spartans, Williams tossed up a desperate pass that was intercepted by redshirt senior linebacker Naseri Danielson, giving possession back to San Jose State. USC’s offense has slowed in the second half, scoring on just two of its four drives after finding the end zone four times in the first half.
2:53 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
Weaver caps the 75-yard drive with a 3-yard pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jordan Anderson, bringing the Spartans slightly closer at 42-18. The Trojans have been outscored 18-14 in the second half, though with five minutes left on the clock, the win is still all but certain.
2:45 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
After the Trojans nearly snagged an interception on a blocked pass by Weaver, the Spartans recovered with a 24-yard rush by redshirt junior running back Viliami Teu to reach USC’s 30-yard line. San Jose State takes its first timeout of the half.
2:37 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Williams looked sharp in his first drive, completing 4-of-5 passes for 47 yards, but it was freshman running back Shahn Alston who ran the ball into the end zone to pad USC’s lead.
Chittenden’s sixth successful extra-point attempt brings the lead to 42-11 with under 10 minutes to play.
2:32 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
After a stellar three-quarter performance from Maiava, the Trojan starting quarterback will hit the bench as freshman backup Jonas Williams replaces him and enters his first game in college. Redshirt senior quarterback Sam Huard, the normal backup, was ruled out prior to game time, leaving the backup role to Williams.
2:28 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Touchdown Spartans.
Despite holding San Jose State out of the end zone for the first three quarters, the first play of the fourth quarter resulted in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Weaver to redshirt junior wide receiver Jerry McClure.
The Spartans cut the lead to 24 after Weaver found redshirt junior tight end Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole for a successful two-point conversion. USC still leads San Jose State 35-11.
2:26 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Trojans lead 35-3 heading into fourth quarter
With 15 minutes left to play, USC appears to be destined for victory over San Jose State, holding a 35-3 lead after the third quarter.
After prioritizing the run game in their first few drives, the Trojans have relied more on their young receivers as of late, with redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava putting up a stellar 25-for-29, 286-yard performance. Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley is making his name known in his collegiate debut, recording 118 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
San Jose State finally broke through with a field goal in the third quarter, but that’s all the Spartans have been able to muster as USC’s defense continues to dominate. The Trojans look to wrap this game up with a clean fourth quarter and start the season 1-0.
2:18 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
And just like that, Maiava finds Mosley for the former’s second touchdown of the game. Mosley is now up to 118 yards, putting up a Makai Lemon-like performance and earning his first touchdown in college. USC’s second drive of the second half was another impressive one, with 74 yards covered in nine plays.
Chittenden adds another extra point to give the Trojans a 35-3 lead.
2:14 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Maiava brought his A-game today, having converted 14 pass attempts in a row before finally missing on a heave to Mosley near the end zone. The veteran quarterback has racked up 269 yards on 23-of-27 passing — numbers boosted by the impressive performance of Mosley, who now has over 100 yards on six receptions.
2:07 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Field goal Spartans.
The Trojan defense clamps down at their 6-yard line, preventing the Spartans from getting a touchdown, but junior kicker Trajan Sinatra converts the game’s first field goal attempt to finally get San Jose State on the board. USC still leads 28-3.
2:03 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Weaver connects with Spartan freshman wide receiver Carson Clark for a massive 42-yard reception, suddenly putting San Jose State at the Trojans’ 21-yard line. The Spartans have a prime opportunity to put their first points of the day on the board.
1:58 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
The Trojans suffered a three-and-out of their own after redshirt freshman offensive lineman Willi Wascher was called for holding, forcing them to punt for the first time today. A subsequent penalty for illegal substitution granted the Spartans an extra 5 yards, bringing them to their 25-yard line to start the next drive.
1:53 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
The halftime break didn’t seem to help the Spartans much, as they managed just 6 yards on the first drive of the second half before punting. USC will take over at its 27-yard line in the hopes of extending its substantial 28-0 lead.
1:30 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Trojans cruise to a 28-0 lead at halftime
It took a bit for the offense to get going, but USC is firing on all cylinders now at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Three touchdowns in the second quarter put the Trojans up 28-0 over San Jose State heading into the second half.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava is enjoying a strong start to his final season at USC, throwing for over 200 yards in the first half alone on an efficient 17-for-20 mark.
USC’s true freshman wide receivers have been putting on a show, headlined by Trent Mosley, who has 86 yards on just four receptions in his first collegiate game. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Tron Baker are getting in on the fun as well, each recording over 20 yards on three catches.
Meanwhile, the Trojan defense has been an immovable object to the Spartans’ very stoppable offense, allowing 102 yards — less than a third of USC’s total — and keeping them scoreless in the first half. Head Coach Lincoln Riley and company seem primed to take home an easy win in their first matchup of the season.
1:28 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
After a breakout season in 2025, Miller finds his way back into the end zone and records his first touchdown of the 2026 season on a 4-yard rush. A huge grab by Mosley for 33 yards helped the Trojans get back into the red zone as Maiava led the offense down the field in just six plays. Miller’s touchdown on the ground marks the third different scorer to record a rushing touchdown in just the first half of the game.
Chittenden makes the extra point and gives USC a comfortable four-touchdown cushion, as the Trojans stay on top of the Spartans 28-0.
1:18 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
The Trojan defense stays hot, limiting the Spartans to just four plays and forcing San Jose State to punt. Maiava and the rest of the USC offense get the ball back with all three timeouts and less than two minutes to go.
1:15 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Maiava threw for 75 yards on that drive, including four passes of double-digit yards, after combining for just 63 across the Trojans’ first three drives.
Riley seems to be placing more confidence in his young receivers as the game goes on, and it’s paying dividends, with true freshmen Dixon-Wyatt and Mosley combining for 63 yards on five receptions so far.
1:05 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Maiava finds Dixon-Wyatt in the end zone for Maiava’s first passing touchdown of the season and true freshman Dixon-Wyatt’s first college touchdown. The 9-yard pass capped off a 91-yard, 12-play drive with success coming on the ground and in the air.
Chittenden kicks another successful extra point as USC is now up 21-0 on San Jose State.
1:03 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Though the run game is as strong as ever, Maiava is slowly getting more into the action, tossing 16- and 20-yard passes to Mosley to get the Trojans back in Spartan territory. Maiava has targeted seven different players on 11 total receptions, racking up 103 yards in the process.
12:59 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
On a decisive fourth-and-1, the Spartans handed the ball off to redshirt junior running back Isaiah Carlson, who was immediately wrapped up by junior defensive tackle Jide Abasiri for a two-yard loss, giving the ball back to USC and keeping San Jose State off the scoreboard.
12:54 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
San Jose State is showing its first signs of life on offense, marching down the field and reaching USC’s 7-yard line before taking its second timeout of the half.
12:49 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
The Trojan rushing game is firing on all cylinders as redshirt freshman running back Riley Wormley takes it in for five yards and his first college touchdown. A 43-yard drive ends with another score as USC’s offense looks to continue its rhythm.
Chittenden knocks in the extra point as USC is now up 14-0.
12:40 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Trojans up 7-0 after first quarter
Though the score is closer than it could have been — USC came just one yard short of a touchdown on its second drive — the Trojans are still in the driver’s seat after 15 minutes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
With two of USC’s top receiver options out with injuries, Head Coach Lincoln Riley has heavily relied on his dynamic running back duo, redshirt senior Waymond Jordan and redshirt sophomore King Miller. The two have combined for 78 yards on 15 carries, with redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava running it in himself for the Trojans’ lone touchdown so far.
Defensive coordinator Gary Patterson’s defense has looked sharp against the Spartans, allowing just 11 total yards in their first two drives. USC will look to carry that momentum through the rest of the game and cruise to victory to start the season.
12:38 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
The Trojans go for it on fourth down for the second straight drive; this time, they convert it, thanks to a 3-yard rush by Miller. The former walk-on has 36 yards on nine carries so far today, working in tandem with Jordan, who has 42 yards on six carries.
12:30 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
Patterson’s defense is getting it done early on, forcing a second straight three-and-out from the Spartans. San Jose State has mustered just 11 yards through its first two drives.
Mosley makes another nice return to get USC to the Spartans’ 43-yard line, where the offense will take over and look for better results than the previous drive.
12:25 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Despite starting the drive 22 yards away from the end zone, Maiava and the Trojans fail to score, even while going for it on fourth and goal, 7 yards out. The first turnover of the season in the red zone is not something Riley or the offense was looking for after tremendous field position from Mosley’s return.
12:20 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
The Spartans’ punt was received and taken upfield for 41 yards by Mosley. While the punt returner position has yet to be revealed, Mosley certainly made a strong name for himself in the first opportunity he got.
A 15-yard penalty by San Jose State puts USC two yards out of the red zone, and the Trojans will look to add on to their lead.
12:16 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
San Jose State had a chance for a massive gain on a heave by redshirt senior quarterback Luke Weaver, but it was just out of reach of his target. Instead, it’s three-and-out for the Spartans on their first drive of the season as USC quickly regains possession.
12:10 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
The Trojan rushing game was on point throughout their first drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown by Maiava. USC rushed for 57 yards, almost split perfectly between Jordan and redshirt sophomore King Miller. The touchdown marks the first of the season for USC in a near six-minute drive.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden recorded the extra point in his first game since the 2024 season to put the Trojans on top 7-0.
12:05 p.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
With the lack of experienced receivers on the field, Riley is opting to rely on veteran redshirt senior running back Waymond Jordan early on, to great effect. Two rushes for a total of 20 yards — along with the first career reception from freshman tight end Mark Bowman — have the Trojans in Spartan territory as San Jose State takes an early timeout.
12:00 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
USC wins the coin toss and elects to receive on the west side of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Maiava and a new-look offense will take the field first in a few minutes.
11:57 a.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
2018 Super Bowl champion and former USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor leads the Trojans out of the tunnel as USC takes the field for the first time in the 2026 season.
11:56 a.m.
Bennett Christofferson, Managing Editor
The new-look receiving core will look even newer Saturday, as sophomore wide receiver Tanook Hines and junior wide receiver Terrell Anderson will not be taking the field. Hines’ status for the season opener had been in question, as he missed much of fall camp with an undisclosed injury, while Anderson seems to be dealing with an injury of his own.
In their place, sophomore Corey Simms, freshman Trent Mosley and freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt will likely start. Simms made one reception for six yards in 2025, while Mosley and Dixon-Wyatt will be making their collegiate debuts.
11:41 a.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
We’re about 20 minutes away from No. 14 USC’s first football game of the 2026 season. A rare Week 0 game against San Jose State will look to be a season-defining game for a Trojan squad that has high expectations entering the season.
Head Coach Lincoln Riley is now in his fifth season with USC and holds a 35-18 record but has yet to make it to the College Football Playoff. Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava enters his third season as USC’s starting quarterback and will lead a young offensive receiving core. Meanwhile, the offseason hire of former Hall of Fame Head Coach and now current defensive coordinator Gary Patterson will tout a newly revamped defense.
