USC
Michigan State
No. 25 USC Football Hosts Michigan State For Big Ten Home Opener
September 16, 2025 | Football
FROM MYTH TO MATCHUP
*One of the greatest battles in all of Greek mythology involved two groups of fierce warriors – the Trojans and the Spartans.
*No. 25 USC hosts Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 20 for a nighttime clash of mythic proportions.
*The Trojan War has inspired storytellers for over 2,500 years. From ancient Greek theater to Hollywood blockbusters to popular modern video games, the legend of this battle transcends time.
*The Trojan War began when Paris of Troy took Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, from Sparta. After ten years of fierce fighting, the Spartans and the Greeks toppled the city of Troy with the ruse of the Trojan Horse.
*Though history crowned the Spartans victorious, the USC Trojans are aiming to flip the script on Saturday night.
*As the Trojans prepare for their own battle on the gridiron this week, they can draw strength from the words of the iconic Brad Pitt from the 2004 film "Troy" – yes, he was technically rallying the Greeks, but the inspiration still hits: "Let no man forget how menacing we are. Do you know what's there? Waiting beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours!"
THE B1G PREMIERE
*Speaking of the silver screen, USC is most certainly the pLAce to be when it comes to the intersection of Tinseltown and football.
*Paparazzi, lights, a red carpet and movie stars -- there's nothing like a Hollywood premiere in Los Angeles.
*This weekend will be the B1G Premiere as USC hosts its Big Ten Conference opener at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
WHEN TROY MEETS SPARTA
*USC and Michigan State have only played 8 times (USC is 4-4).
*This will be the teams' first meeting in 35 years (the last meeting was the 1990 John Hancock Bowl).
*This will be Michigan State's fourth visit to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with its most recent visit dating back to 1978.
*USC has won 11 national championships, Michigan State 6.
*USC has appeared in an unprecedented 33 Rose Bowls where it has a 25-8 mark (.758) (not including1 appearance and 1 loss later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 34 Rose Bowls, 25-9, .735). That is not only the most Rose Bowl wins of any team, but also the most wins by a school in a single bowl. Michigan State has been in the Rose Bowl 5 times and is 4-1.
*The Trojans claim 177 All-American first teamers, while the Spartans have 104.
*USC has 885 all-time wins with a .695 winning percentage, while Michigan State boasts 738 all-time wins with a .596 winning percentage. (Not including USC's 14 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 899, .697.)
PUTTING AWAY PURDUE
*Through three games, the Trojans have scored 165 points, outscoring their first three opponents by a combined 115 points.
*USC has put up double digit points in 10 of the 12 quarters it has played this season.
*USC head coach Lincoln Riley is undefeated (38-0) when his teams hold opponents to 20 points or fewer.
*USC's 755 total yards were the most in a single game for a Trojan team dating back to at least 1961 when such records are available.
*Through 3 games, 13 different Trojans have scored TDs.
*USC recorded 16 plays of 15+ yards against the Eagles.
*USC leads the nation in scoring averaging 66.0 points per game.
*In the first quarter, USC had 6 plays of 20+ yards.
*USC leads the nation in total offense (604.0).
*USC is No 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in scoring offense (55.0) and team passing efficiency (206.86).
*USC is No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing yards per completion (17.90).
*USC is No. 6 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in passing offense (364.0).
*USC ranks 5th in ESPN's College Football Power Index (a rating system that measures team strength and projects performance).
WEATHER DELAY
*USC experienced a three-hour weather delay to wait out lightning storms.
*The last time USC had a game delayed by weather was at halftime of the 2012 game versus Syracuse in Meadowlands (East Rutherford, N.J.). The game was delayed 70 minutes at halftime due to severe weather and lightning in the NYC area. USC won 42-29.
*This wasn't the first time that weather played a factor in a USC-Purdue game. It was 118 degrees on the field for the 1998 game at the Coliseum. USC won 27-17.
MAIAVA METRICS
*USC QB Jayden Maiava went 17-for-28 for 282 yards.
*He also rushed for 10 yards and 1 TD.
*This was Maiava's first four-quarter game this season.
*In just a little over 9 quarters of football, Maiava has put up 989 passing yards, 6 TDs. That is 160 more yards than any other Big Ten QB.
*He is averaging about 110 yards a quarter.
*Maiava has the No. 1 QBR in the nation (94.3), per ESPN.
*Maiava is No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency (215.5), passing yards per completion (20.60) and yards per pass attempt (14.13).
*Maiava is No. 5 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing yards (989) and passing yards per game (329.7).
*He is No. 7 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (337.7).
*Per PFF, Maiava ranks No. 2 in the Power Four and No. 1 in the Big Ten in NFL Passer Rating (139.9).
*Maiava has yet to commit a turnover through three games (just 1 of 11 QBs in the Power Four and 1 of 5 in the Big Ten) and has only been sacked once (just 1 of 8 QBs in the Power Four and 1 of 3 in the Big Ten to be sacked one or fewer times this season). USC is 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in Big Ten play.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MAIAVA
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Keep an eye on Jayden Maiava and the Heisman race. It's early but bookmark this...."
POLYNESIAN TRADITION AND APPLE TV COLLAB
*Including USC QB Jayden Maiava, USC's first-ever starting quarterback of Polynesian descent, USC has a rich tradition of Polynesian players that have been integral members of the football program.
*USC currently boasts 15 players of Polynesian decent on the roster: OL Micah Banuelos, OL Ratumana Bulabalavu, WR Makai Lemon, QB Jayden Maiava, OL Alani Noa, DT Kobe Pepe, OL Makai Saina, LB Matai Tagoa'i, OL Erwin Taomi, OL Justin Tauanuu, LB AJ Tuitele, TE Taniela Tupou, OL Elijah Vaikona, OL Willi Wascher and WR Zacharyus Williams.
*On Saturday, Aug. 30, Apple TV debuted a promo video collaboration with USC Football for its hit streaming series Chief of War starring Jason Momoa.
*In the video, centered around USC's Polynesian heritage, Momoa addresses QB Jayden Maiava and the Trojan football team.
WAYMO -- ALL YOU SEE IS TAILLIGHTS
*USC RB Waymond Jordan has become one of the nation's most exciting college football backs.
*Against Purdue, he recorded 77 rushing yards on 18 carries and 1 TD.
*Jordan is No. 14 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten in yards per carry.
*He is also No. 24 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (95.3).
*The PFF "Breakaway Percentage" shows which runners earn the highest (and lowest) % of their yardage on big plays (any designed runs of 15 yards or more). Among Power Four RBs with a minimum of 35 attempts, Jordan ranks No. 9 with 45.1%. He is No. 2 in the same stat among Big Ten RBs.
*USC's rushing offense is ranked No. 17 in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten (240.0).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT WAYMO
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Been hearing great things about Waymond Jordan all offseason. This kid is going to be special this year."
*Antonio Morales, The Athletic National Writer - "One of the things USC has done consistently well under Lincoln Riley is identify transfer running backs: Waymond Jordan is the latest gem. He just rushed for a 36-yard TD and is up to 132 yards today. Trojans lead 38-13 early in the third."
*Jeff Dubrof, Sports Anchor KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) - "Learn the name Waymond Jordan folks. He's gonna be one of the best running backs in America this year."
RBs RUNNING THE SHOW
*The speed of RB Eli Sanders and the explosiveness of RB King Miller will surely be on display under the Saturday night lights of the Coliseum.
*The PFF "Elusive Rating" distills the success and impact of a runner with the ball independently of the blocking in front of him by looking at how hard he was to bring down. Miller ranks No. 8 among Power Four RBs with a grade of 384.8 in this stat.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KING MILLER
*Gary Danielson, CBS Sports Analyst - "This guy (Miller) has made big plays. He's demanded and earned carries on this football team."
*Brad Nessler, CBS Sports Analyst - "King Miller has been sensational so far this year."
LEMON IN THE LIMELIGHT
*USC WR Makai Lemon continues to be one of the nation's most exciting college football players and a Biletnikoff contender.
*He tallied 5 receptions for 63 yards against the Boilermakers.
*Lemon ranks No. 10 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in receiving yards (311).
*He is also No. 12 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (103.7).
*Lemon, also a Paul Hornung candidate, ranks No. 20 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (131.0).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LEMON
*Kendell Hollowell, Reporter, USC Trojans on SI - "Just put the ball in Makai Lemon's hands and let him do the rest."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Lane and Lemon remind me of some guys I used to play with."
*Brad Nessler, CBS Sports Analyst – "Makai Lemon after the catch is so dangerous!"
LOOK OUT FOR LANE
*WR Ja'Kobi Lane is yet another Biletnikoff contender in the Trojan wide out room.
*Lane tallied 3 receptions for 115 yards.
*He recorded a career-long reception of 59-yards from Maiava against Purdue.
*Lane is No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in yards per reception 26.56).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LANE
*Cody Kessler, former USC QB and CFB & NFL Analyst - "Ja'Kobi Lane is a walking highlight reel!! 8 does it again, there's just no way you can even guard that!!"
*Matt Zenitz, CBS National College Football Senior Reporter - "Stuff like this is why USC staffers have compared Ja'Kobi Lane to players like A.J. Green and Drake London."
*Jalen McKenzie, former USC and NFL offensive lineman - "Young bull Ja'Kobi Lane upholding USC as WRU."
*Greg McElroy, Always College Football - "Ja'Kobi Lane is NOT HUMAN"
*Former USC WR and current Altana Falcons star Drake London was asked if Lane reminds him of himself. He said, "No, he's much more smooth. He makes catches that I don't see in the NFL that much."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Lane and Lemon remind me of some guys I used to play with."
COMPOSED & CONFIDENT
*Veteran TE Lake McRee continues to show leadership and composure on the field as a steady presence at tight end.
*He tallied 3 receptions for 67 yards. He had two big-time plays: a 26-yard reception in the first quarter and another 29-yard reception in the third.
*McRee ranked No. 14 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten in yards per reception (24.71).
*Per PFF, McRee has the No. 3 offensive grade in the Big Ten and the No. 12 in the Power Four (83.3).
*Among all Big Ten TE's, MCRee has recorded the most yards per catch (24.7) and the No. 2 highest yards after catch per reception (12.4).
D'ANTON'S DYNAMIC DEFENSE
*Under defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, the Trojan defense continues to make SportsCenter- worthy plays and climb the statistical charts.
*USC is tied for No. 1 in the nation in defensive TD with 2.
*USC is No. 2 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in passes intercepted with 6.
*USC is No. 2 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in red zone defense (0.429).
*USC is No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in team sacks (4.67).
*USC is No. 2 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in team tackles for loss (10.3).
*USC is No. 6 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in turnovers gained (7).
THICK-SIX
*USC DT Jamaal Jarrett, a 6-5, 360 pound defensive tackle intercepted Purdue QB Ryan Browne and ran the ball back 70 yards to score his first ever pick-six.
*S Kamari Ramsey made the play to pressure Browne, the ball popped out and Jarrett made the grab.
*This play came at a clutch moment late in the third quarter and allowed the Trojans to extend their lead to 30-10.
*Jarrett is the largest player in USC history to score a touchdown.
*He reached speeds of 15.79 mph.
*At 360 pounds, that is a lot of momentum. •• By comparison, in order to reach the same momentum (which is defined as mass times velocity), NFL great Ray Lewis, who played at 240 pounds, would need to be moving at 23 mph to generate the same momentum.
*This play earned the No. 3 spot on ESPN's College Football Final.
*USC is tied for No. 1 in the nation in defensive TDs (2).
BLESSED BY BISHOP
*USC S Bishop Fitzgerald continues to prove why he is one of the nation's top safeties.
*He made two critical interceptions versus the Boilermakers
*His final stat line included 5 tackles (tied for second-most on the team) and 2 INTs returned for 33 yards.
*Per PFF, among all safeties with a minimum of 125 snaps, Fitzgerald is the Power Four's top-ranked defensive back (counting both safeties and cornerbacks) with the top defensive grade of 93.4 and the top coverage grade of 92.4.
*Fitzgerald has the most INTs among all Power Four safeties with 3.
*Fitzgerald is tied for No. 1 in the nation in interceptions per game (1) and total INTs (3).
*He ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten for passes defended (1.33).
*Among safeties with a minimum of 125 snaps, per PFF, Fitzgerald ranks No. 3 with a 78.3 run defense grade.
GAME-CHANGING GENTRY
*LB Eric Gentry, one the nation's most unique players had a game full of personal bests against Purdue.
*His final stat line was 8 tackles (all solo), including 3 for loss of 19 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 11 yards). He also tallied 2 forced fumbles.
*He tallied three single-game career bests: 3 TFLs, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
*On ESPN's College Football Final, he earned a "helmet sticker" from the hosts for being one of the top performers in the country on Saturday.
GAME BALLS
*After the game, USC head coach Lincoln Riley presented game balls to DT Floyd Boucard, S Bishop Fitzgerald, LB Eric Gentry, DT Jamaal Jarrett and TE Lake McRee.
RANKINGS
*USC cracked the Top 25 his week and is officially No. 25 in the AP Poll. Michigan State is not ranked.
IN SEPTEMBER
*USC has a 201-56-8 (.774) all-time record while playing in the month of September (does not include 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 204-56-8, .776).
TV OUTLETS
*USC has appeared live on 35 different television broadcasting outlets. The Trojans have won on the air on all but 3 of those outlets (KTLA, Innovative and a local Memphis station). USC has appeared on live national, regional or local telecasts 595 times.
USC • MICHIGAN STATE CONNECTIONS
*USC has 3 players from the state of Michigan (CB Alex Graham, LB Desman Stephens II and LB Jadyn Walker), while Michigan State has 5 players from the state of California.
*USC SNP Hank Pepper played at Michigan State from 2021-2023. He started for a total of 22 games over his three years there, tallying 9 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.
*USC DT Kash Amos, Michigan State WR Alante Brown and Michigan State DL Mikeshun Beeler are all from Chicago, Ill.
*USC WR Jay Fair and Michigan State WR Omari Kelly were teammates at Auburn together in 2022 and 2023.
*USC S Isaiah Rubin, USC OL Travis Leonard, USC DT Kobe Pepe, Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles and Michigan State QB Leo Hannan are all from Long Beach, Calif.
*USC RB Bryan Jackson and Michigan State RB Makhi Frazier are both from McKinney, Texas and prepped together at McKinney HS.
*USC CB Alex Graham, Michigan State WR Nick Marsh, Michigan State DL Jalen Thomas, Michigan State DB Armorion Smith, Michigan State DB Dorian Davis and Michigan State OL Antonio Johnson are all from Detroit, Mich.
*USC WR Romero Ison and Michigan State DB Ade Willie are both from Baltimore, Md.
*USC WR Tanook Hines, USC CB Braylon Conley, USC OL J'Onre Reed, USC DE Jadyn Ramos and Michigan State DB Joshua Eaton are all from Houston, Texas.
*USC WR Jay Fair, USC QB Gage Roy and Michigan State RB Brandon Tullis are all from Dallas, Texas.
*USC DT Floyd Boucard and Michigan State DB Malcolm Bell are both from Montreal, Quebec.
*USC LB Eric Gentry and Michigan State LB Semaj Bridgeman are both from Philadelphia, Pa.
*USC LB Desman Stephens II and Michigan State OL Cole Dellinger are both from Clarkston, Mich. and prepped together at Clarkston HS.
*USC Director of Cinematography & Post Production Eric Michael worked as the assistant director of creative video at Florida in 2022, overlapping with the time that current Michigan State Assistant Director of Football Technology Kyle Ransom was a video assistant for the Gators.
MICHIGAN STATE SCOUTING REPORT
*Michigan State defeated Youngstown State 41-24 at home on Saturday, Sept. 13.
*Michigan State's game versus USC will be its first road test as well as first Big Ten Conference game.
*Against the Penguins, junior QB Aidan Chiles completed 22-of-29 passes for 270 yards and 1 TD, while running 8 times for 76 yards.
*This season, Chiles has rushed 30 times for 123 yards.
*RB Makhi Frazier had become the Spartans' featured back through three games. He produced 22 yards on 12 carries amidst struggles from the offensive line.
*Redshirt senior RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver had 4 carries for 37 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and sophomore RB Brandon Tullus had 4 carries for 31 yards and a TD.
*Spartan TE Jack Velling tied a career high with 6 catches, tallying 70 yards.
*The Spartans gave up seven plays of 19 yards or more to Youngstown State
*Defensively, LB Jordan Hall leads the Spartans with 27 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 10 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 8 yards), 1 fumble recovery and 1 QBH.
*LB Wayne Matthews III also poses a threat with 24 tackles, including 1 for loss of 3 yards and 1 INT.
*The injury bug has bitten the Spartans.
*WR Nick Marsh, the Spartans' top receiver with 16 receptions for 194 yards (12.1 avg.) and 3 TDs left the game in the first half against the Penguins. In the first half, he tallied 6 catches for 94 yards.
*After the game, Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith said that the extent of Marsh's injury was "inconclusive" at halftime and that Marsh wasn't fit to go in the second half.
*MSU also lost at least three other players Saturday — kickoff return and special teams standout, WR Alante Brown to an apparent injury in pregame warmups, OL Luka Vincic, who went down after being rolled into in the first half, and starting RB Makhi Frazier, who suffered what appeared to be a left leg injury. He was helped off, putting no pressure on his left leg, and spotted with a boot on his leg later on.
*Before the game, MSU announced that two players are going to miss the remainder of the season: sophomore DB Andrew Brinson IV and special teams star and fellow DB Caleb Gash.
MICHIGAN TROJANS
*In USC's history, just 7 football lettermen claim Michigan as their hometown and attended school in the state before coming to Troy: CB Bruce Dyer, 1970-71 (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Riverside); current Trojan CB Alex Graham (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical); ILB Dennis Johnson, 1977-79 (Flint, Mich./Northwestern); DE Nick Perry, 2009-11 (Detroit, Mich/King); OG-C Bill Redding, 1973-75 (Grosse Ile, Mich./Grosse Ile/Orange Coast College); current Trojan LB Desman Stephens II (Clarkston, Mich./ Clarkston) and current Trojan LB Jadyn Walker (Portage, Mich./Portage Northern).
HOLLYWOOD TROJANS
*To go with the "premiere" theme...
*Among the USC footballers who gained fame on the silver screen are:
*John Wayne (tackle in 1925-26 under his real name, Marion Morrison)
*Ward Bond (1928-30 letterman best known for his role in "Wagon Train")
*Mike Henry (1956-58 tackle played Tarzan)
*Marlin and Mike McKeever (1959 All-American twins were in several movies)
*Tim Rossovich (1967 All-American defensive end was in various movies)
*O.J. Simpson (1968 Heisman Trophy winner starred in TV and movies)
*Anthony Davis (1974 All-American tailback was in movies)
*Patrick Muldoon (mid-1980s walk-on tight end starred in soaps, including "Melrose Place," and films, including "Starship Trooper")
*Brian Turk (lineman in the late 1980s appeared in various TV sitcoms and commercials)
*Mazio Royster (1990-91 tailback was in TV commercials and shows)
*Shane Foley (1989-90 quarterback was in TV commercials)
*Matt Willig (1988-91 lineman has been in TV, movies and commercials)
*Nick Pappas (ex-USC player, assistant coach and assistant athletic director doubled for Pat O'Brien as Knute Rockne in the football scenes of "Knute Rockne — All-American")
*John Walker (2002-05 cornerback appeared on such TV shows as "E.R." and "7th Heaven" as a child)
*Cyrus Hobbi (2012-15 TE/C/OG) has appeared in the film "Babylon" and the TV shows "Ballers" and "General Hospital"
*Ceyair Wright (2021-23 cornerback, an actor and model since a youngster, has appeared in movies, television shows such as "2 Broke Girls," "Training Day," "Life in Pieces", "Instant Mom" and was a series regular on "Grown-ish", commercials and music videos, and played the son of LeBron James in the 2021 movie, "Space Jam: A New Legacy").
*Also, Irvine "Cotton" Warburton (1933 All-American back) won an Oscar for film editing on "Mary Poppins"
*Aaron Rosenberg (2-time All-American guard in 1932-33) was a well-known TV and movie producer, Jess Hibbs (2-time All-American tackle in 1927-28) was a prominent film and TV director
*Nate Barragar (1929 All-American lineman) and Russ Saunders (1927-28-29 fullback) were assistant directors
*Mickey McCardle (halfback in the 1940s) was a TV and movie director
*Ken Del Conte (halfback in the early 1960s) was a producer
*Allan Graf (offensive guard in the early 1970s) is a stunt man and second unit director
*Scott (Starr) Felix (2012-15 linebacker) is a director and writer known as Scotty Felix.
*Cody Gifford (2011 wide receiver) is a film producer, including on "Requiem for a Running Back."
*Producer Hilton Green was a team manager and producer Barney Rosenzweig was a Yell Leader.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
*Staying on the theme of the entertainment industry, many films and TV shows have used the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as a filming location including Old School, Jerry McGuire, Rocky II, Almost Famous, D2: The Might Ducks, Money Charlie's Angles, The Amazing Race, Emergency!, The Biggest Loser, 24, Hell's Kitchen and Catching Kelce (yes...that Travis Kelce on his former dating show).
USC SCHOOL OF CINEMATIC ARTS PARTNERSHIP
*USC is never in a shortage of talent among its students. USC students from the School of Cinematic Arts have been working with the football creative team in a variety of capacities including photography, videography, music and even helping to create last year's intro video, "Arrival of the Trojan".
*Over the summer, "Arrival of the Trojan" won a Los Angeles Area Emmy for Best Sports Short Promo.
*Said head coach Lincoln Riley, "Here at USC, we have the best cinema school in the nation just 50 yards from our practice field. USC SCA students have a unique opportunity to partner with our creative team to collaborate and promote our program's national brand on the brightest stage. We've been thrilled with the partnership, and we're excited to see the work that will continue to be produced. This is just another example of how USC is different than any other place in the country."
