One other enormous halftime lead.
Extra loopy effectivity from quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Additional fodder for Trent Mosley’s case as the highest freshman receiver within the nation.
The one vital distinction between No. 14 USC’s 39-0 blowout of Fresno State on Friday on the Coliseum and its season opener six days earlier?
The ending.
After the Trojans repeatedly stumbled defensively within the fourth quarter in opposition to San Jose State, they held agency early and late in opposition to the Bulldogs.
Fresno State couldn’t get a lot of something going at any level, ending with a measly 116 yards of offense. When the Bulldogs threatened within the remaining minute, dealing with a fourth-and-goal on the USC eight-yard line, reserve defensive finish Jadyn Ramos surged into the backfield for a sack.
It was big-time redemption for a gaggle of defensive backups who had been bullied on the identical area. This time, they helped the Trojans (2-0) full their first shutout since a 48-0 victory over Utah State in September 2024.
There was additionally a barely higher present of help to see an oddity — a nonconference recreation in opposition to a Pac-12 opponent now that the Trojans are within the Large Ten.
The introduced crowd of 53,014 on a cool, snug night was about 2,000 greater than the turnout final weekend within the sweltering warmth.
Followers who confirmed up Friday had been handled to a virtually flawless efficiency from Maiava. Exhibiting a lot sharper contact than he did final week, the veteran quarterback accomplished 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns with out an interception earlier than giving method to backup Jonas Williams late within the third quarter.
By two video games, Maiava has accomplished 48 of 54 passes — an absurd 88.9 p.c completion charge.
His favourite goal may warrant dueling Heisman Trophy campaigns. Every week after he topped 100 yards in his collegiate debut, Mosley reached triple figures — earlier than halftime.
Curiously, Fresno State (0-1) let Mosley run vast open on one route early within the second quarter and paid dearly. After catching a go contained in the Bulldogs’ 40-yard line, Mosley juked a defender across the 20 and ran for a 68-yard landing.
Mosley added a 9-yard landing later within the second quarter after making a catch on the 5 and eluding a defender earlier than stretching the ball throughout the purpose line. Mosley completed with 4 catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
Fellow freshman vast receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt additionally starred with six catches for 102 yards.
Maiava benefited from the return of a well-recognized goal.
USC vast receiver Tanook Hines, who missed the season opener whereas rounding into kind from an unspecified harm, hauled in an 8-yard landing go on the opening drive after operating open into the best nook of the top zone.
If there was something to nitpick, it was the Trojans’ slippery palms. They fumbled 3 times, shedding the ball twice.
It didn’t price them in opposition to a group that couldn’t persistently transfer the ball or block for quarterback Jayden Mandal, who was consistently underneath strain and took two safeties.
One sequence within the second quarter illustrated the Trojans’ dominance on protection.
On first down, defensive again Alex Graham and defensive deal with Jide Abasiri stuffed operating again Rayshon Luke for a 2-yard loss. On second down, Abasiri was credited with a sack after pressuring Mandal into throwing the ball away for an intentional grounding penalty. On third down, defensive again Kennedy Urlacher knocked Mandal out of the again of the top zone for a security.
Issues by no means bought any higher for Mandal or the Bulldogs offense.
The Trojans have another tuneup, in opposition to Louisiana — effectively, two, actually, should you noticed what occurred to Rutgers this week — earlier than issues get actual in opposition to Oregon on Sept. 26 on the Coliseum.
Maiava and Mosley seem prepared, and possibly now the Trojans’ protection does too.
