USC vs Louisiana-Lafayette — as it happened
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Scoring plays
Win probability
Ruofei Zhu / Daily Trojan
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Vanya Arakelian and Dillon Zamperin from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; photos by Matthew Diederich and Ruofei Zhu
Trojans fend off Ragin’ Cajuns for 49-30 win
Despite multiple attempts at a comeback for Louisiana, USC was too powerful and defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns 49-30 in a high-scoring affair. The two teams scored 11 touchdowns in the game, with USC taking the 19-point victory.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava had a career night after an opening drive interception. Maiava threw five touchdown passes and added over 250 yards in the air.
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman was one of the best receivers, totaling two touchdowns on 84 yards. Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley also continued his historic start to the year, adding another two touchdowns for a total of five on the year.
Further reading:
- Trent Mosley has become one of the Trojans’ premier players this season but almost didn’t go to USC. With offers from rival schools UCLA and Notre Dame, the wide receiver was heavily pursued out of high school.
- With USC’s final nonconference game tonight, the Trojans will look to take down the Ragin’ Cajuns to improve to 2-0. Upsets have swept through college football as a win is never guaranteed, even as the favorite.
- Jayden Maiava thrived in USC’s Week 0 and 1 wins, 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.
11:15 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Trojans fend off Ragin’ Cajuns for 49-30 win
Despite multiple attempts at a comeback for Louisiana, USC was too powerful and defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns 49-30 in a high-scoring affair. The two teams scored 11 touchdowns in the game, with USC taking the 19-point victory.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava had a career night after an opening drive interception. Maiava threw five touchdown passes and added over 250 yards in the air.
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman was one of the best receivers, totaling two touchdowns on 84 yards. Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley also continued his historic start to the year, adding another two touchdowns for a total of five on the year.
11:05 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Touchdown Ragin’ Cajuns.
Another 4th-quarter touchdown for Louisiana narrows the score, but USC still leads by 19 points. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Russell Babineaux caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Winfield as the Ragin’ Cajuns marched downfield.
Redshirt senior Tony Sterner kicks the extra point to make the score 49-30 with less than three minutes to go.
10:55 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Quietly anchoring the offense all night has been redshirt sophomore running back King Miller, but the work finally pays off with a 7-yard touchdown run. Head Coach Lincoln Riley opted to go back to Miller after using redshirt senior running back Waymond Jordan in the previous two plays, as Miller had recorded 43 yards in the first three plays of the drive.
Chittenden knocks in the extra point as USC extends its lead to 49-23.
10:50 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Maiava’s night is officially over as freshman quarterback Jonas Williams enters the game. Maiava started the game slow but ended the night throwing a career-high five touchdowns on 261 yards. He completed 19 of his 29 passes for a completion percentage of 66%.
10:44 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Touchdown Ragin’ Cajuns.
A quick turnaround for Louisiana as redshirt junior quarterback Lunch Winfield runs the ball in for a 32-yard rushing touchdown. The drive lasted just under three minutes as the Ragin’ Cajuns try to stay in the game.
A failed 2-point conversion pass puts Louisiana down by 19 points, as USC remains up 42-23.
10:38 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Redshirt sophomore Zacharyus Williams records his first career touchdown on a 44-yard pass from redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava. Maiava is now up to five passing touchdowns on the night, setting a career record for the most in a game.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden puts up the extra point as USC leads 42-17.
10:34 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Trojans up 35-17 heading into the fourth quarter
USC adds another touchdown thanks to a 21-yard catch from freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley to extend the Trojan lead.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava has been on fire since his interception in the first quarter, throwing four touchdown passes and over 200 yards.
Even with letting up the most points this season, USC’s defense is still staying strong and keeping the Trojans in the game. Freshman defensive end Luke Wafle has totaled seven tackles in a strong game for the youngster.
10:30 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Despite the Trojans’ punt, USC’s defense forced another three-and-out and got the ball back with 33 seconds to go in the third quarter. The Trojan offense will be 45 yards away from the end zone.
10:26 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
For the first time since the first Trojan drive, USC fails to score a touchdown and is forced to punt the ball.
Sophomore punter Lachlan Carrigan punts it for 50 yards as time dwindles in the third quarter.
10:14 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Touchdown Ragin’ Cajuns.
After a missed field goal attempt that was called back for roughing the kicker, Louisiana capitalized on the Trojan mistake with redshirt junior quarterback Lunch Winfield rushing in the 1-yard touchdown.
Redshirt senior Tony Sterner knocks in the extra point as the Ragin’ Cajuns claw back, but remain down 35-17.
10:03 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Mosley does it again. The freshman wide receiver jumped and secured a 21-yard touchdown pass from redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava for Mosley’s second touchdown of the night and Maiava’s fourth passing touchdown.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden adds another extra point to put USC up 35-10 with less than 10 minutes to go in the third quarter.
9:59 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
A clutch fourth-down reception by redshirt junior tight end Tucker Ashcraft keeps the current Trojan drive going as USC is inching closer to the red zone.
9:56 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
A 10-yard penalty pushes Louisiana back and forces the Ragin’ Cajuns to punt on the first drive of the second half.
Freshman punter Mason Golding’s punt was partially deflected by USC’s redshirt freshman safety Alex Graham, only going 18 yards and giving USC the ball at Louisiana’s 41-yard line.
9:30 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
Trojans lead Ragin’ Cajuns 28-10 at halftime
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman has had a career night, catching two touchdown passes and totaling 83 receiving yards on six catches all in the first half. Alongside Bowman, freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt added a touchdown as the pair now total two career touchdowns each.
Perhaps the highlight of the first half, though, was freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley’s 86-yard punt return to the house. Mosley is now up to four touchdowns on the season as the freshman continues to cement his name in college football.
Following an interception on USC’s first drive, redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava has found his stride, throwing for over 150 yards and three touchdown passes.
Despite allowing a touchdown to the Ragin’ Cajuns, USC’s defense has been strong, holding Louisiana to just 121 yards of offense. The Trojans, meanwhile, have racked up nearly 300 yards of offense as they head into halftime.
9:22 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
The Trojan defense forces a punt, and freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley makes the Ragin’ Cajuns pay. With time winding down in the second quarter, Mosley broke free on the punt return, juking four Louisiana defenders and into the end zone for an 86-yard touchdown.
Chittenden records the extra point as USC takes a 28-10 lead.
9:10 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Freshman wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt catches a bobbled interception for his first touchdown of the night. The 19-yard pass from redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava marks Dixon-Wyatt’s second career touchdown.
Chittenden’s extra point is good as the Trojans are now up 21-10.
8:59 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
Touchdown Ragin’ Cajuns.
Despite the drama, the Ragin’ Cajuns get their first touchdown on the board, closing the gap to the Trojans, 14-10.
Redshirt sophomore running back Stephen Blanco Jr. recorded the 1-yard rushing touchdown, with redshirt senior Tony Sterner kicking the extra point.
8:56 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
Drama in the second quarter, with Louisiana Head Coach Michael Desormeaux receiving a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. This moves the Ragin’ Cajuns back 15 yards.
8:51 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Another touchdown for freshman tight end Mark Bowman; a 9-yard catch extends the lead for the Trojans. This season, he has received 45 yards but no touchdowns in his two games.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden knocks in another extra point, bringing the Trojans up 14-3 early in the second quarter.
8:42 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
USC football leads Louisiana-Lafayette 7-3 at the end of the first quarter
Another slow first quarter in which the Trojans only scored one touchdown has been a constant all season. However, USC still holds a four-point lead over the Ragin’ Cajuns following freshman wide receiver Mark Bowman’s first career touchdown.
USC’s defense has been on point, only allowing a field goal on just 18 total yards. The Trojans forced a three-and-out to prevent Louisiana from getting downfield in its second drive.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava did not complete his first three passes, with one going to the Ragin’ Cajuns for his first interception of the season, but has cleaned it up since then, throwing for 87 yards.
8:38 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
Bowman leaps over the Louisiana defense to notch a 35-yard catch to end the first quarter. The Trojans will start the second quarter at Louisiana’s 21-yard line.
8:31 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
After allowing a field goal to start the game, USC’s defense forces a three-and-out and gets the ball back on its own 23-yard line.
A 3rd-down, 11-yard pass was under review to see if Louisiana’s freshman wide receiver Kristion Brooks stayed in bounds, but despite Head Coach Lincoln Riley’s challenge, the call was upheld. Nonetheless, it was not enough as the Trojans got the ball back on a punt.
8:22 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
TOUCHDOWN TROJANS.
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman runs into the end zone to give USC the lead. Maiava threw a three-yard touchdown to Bowman for the tight end’s first career touchdown.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Caden Chittenden knocks in the extra point to put USC up 7-3.
8:11 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
Field goal Ragin’ Cajuns.
Louisiana is on the board first with a field goal. Redshirt senior Tony Sterner kicked the 47-yarder to put Louisiana up 3-0.
8:06 p.m.
Vanya Arakelian, Assistant Sports Editor
Redshirt sophomore cornerback Avery Demery intercepts redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava’s pass at USC’s 39-yard line. The Ragin’ Cajuns get the ball just 40 yards out as Maiava throws his first interception of the season.
8:00 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
USC wins the coin toss and elects to receive the ball first. Kickoff is just minutes away.
7:50 p.m.
Dillon Zamperin, Sports Editor
We’re about 10 minutes away from kickoff, as both teams head back to the locker room. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is slowly starting to fill in for the late 8 p.m. game.
