USC
Georgia Southern
Players Mentioned
USC Football Returns To Coliseum To Face First-Time Foe Georgia Southern
September 02, 2025 | Football
ONE GAME AT A TIME
*After a high-scoring game to open the 2025 season, the Trojans return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 6 to challenge another new opponent, Georgia Southern.
*The Eagles are led by former USC head coach Clay Helton, bringing him back to familiar territory.
SCOREBOARD SHATTERED
*USC defeated Missouri State 73-13 to open the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30.
*The Trojans' 73 points were the most points scored in all of college football last weekend.
*USC's 73 points were also the most scored by the Trojans since USC defeated California 74-0 on Nov. 8, 1930.
*Additionally, USC's 73 points were the most points scored in a season opener by the Trojans since USC defeated UCLA 76-0 in the 1929 season opener.
*USC's 42 points in the first half were the most since scoring 49 points in the first half versus Stanford on Sept. 9, 2023.
*The Trojans begin their 2025 campaign 1-0. USC now has 9 straight season opening wins, and USC head coach Lincoln Riley remains undefeated in season openers as a head coach.
*USC had 9 different players score a TD versus the Bears, the most for a Trojan team in program history.
*USC's 10 TDs in the game were the most for the Trojans since Oct. 18, 2008 versus Washington State (69-0, 10 TDs with 1 blocked PAT). Against Missouri State, USC recorded 3 TD scoring plays of more than 60 yards, and 4 of more than 30 yards.
*As a team, USC ranks No. 1 in the nation in completion percentage (.889) and No. 1 in the nation in scoring offense (73.0).
*USC ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 2 in the nation in third down conversion percentage (.857).
*The Trojans rank No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 10 in the nation in passing offense (364.0) and No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 7 in the nation in total offense (597.0).
*USC also ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the nation in passing yards per completion (15.17).
MAIAVA MASTERCLASS
*USC redshirt junior QB Jayden Maiava earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after leading the Trojans to a 73-13 victory over Missouri State.
*This is the first Big Ten weekly honor for Maiava
*Washington RB Jonah Coleman was also named a Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
*Maiava accounted for over 300 yards in just one half of football.
*He went 15-of-18 (.833) with 2 TDs for 295 yards with a long of 73 yards.
*He also rushed for 9 yards and scored a TD on a 3-yard quarterback keeper into the end zone.
*His 295 passing yards matched his second-highest passing total last season (295 yards versus Texas A&M on Dec. 27, 2024). Maiava's season high in 2024 was 360 passing yards versus Notre Dame on Nov. 30.
*Additionally, Maiava's 295 passing yards in the first half versus Missouri State were the most by a Trojan in a first half since former USC QB Kedon Slovis' 347 first-half yards versus Arizona State on Nov. 9, 2019. Former USC QB Cody Kessler also had 295 first-half yards against Arizona State on Sept. 26, 2015.
*Maiava was in complete command of the Trojan offense the entire first half. Throughout the offseason, Riley and his teammates discussed his confidence and leadership development. It was displayed on Saturday through his poise as well as his support of his teammates. Maiava was always the first person to celebrate with his teammates – offense, defense or special teams.
MAIAVA METRICS
*After competing in just one half of Saturday's game, Maiava currently leads the nation in multiple statistical categories.
*He ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency (257.7), No. 1 in the nation in passing yards per completion (19.67) and No. 1 in the nation in yards per pass attempt (16.39).
*Maiava ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 5 in the nation in completion percentage (.833).
*He is ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 21 in the nation in passing yards (295), No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 15 in the nation in passing yards per game (295) and No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 20 in the nation in total offense (304.0).
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.
*Last Saturday, 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. Check it out here!
WAYMO -- ALL YOU SEE IS TAILLIGHTS
*Although he only touched the ball on six plays throughout the game, JUCO product RB Waymond Jordan's electric performance was enough to ignite the excitement among the Trojan faithful.
*On USC's first offensive series, Jordan received the hand off on second-and-4. He juked left, shimmied right and scattered 26-yards down the field to get inside 10 with an explosion from the crowd.
*On the subsequent play, Jordan got the ball again and slipped into the end zone, making it look easy, to put the first points on the board for the Trojans.
*Jordan, the No. 1 JUCO running back in the nation and 2024 the JUCOWeekly Trophy winner (presented to The Best JUCO Player in America -- junior college's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy), expressed his immense gratitude for the opportunity to play at USC during his post-game media availability.
*"I kind of want to cry a little bit being here for the first time. Honestly, you dream of playing somewhere like here as a kid." – RB Waymond Jordan
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."
BACKFIELD BONANZA
*In addition to Jordan, every Trojan running back that played in Saturday's game scored a TD.
*Earlier last week, USC head coach Lincoln Riley said, ""I'm pretty excited about the room. I'll put it this way, I'll be disappointed if it's not the best room we've had since we've been at 'SC."
*With 25 seconds left in the first half, RB Eli Sanders showcased his incredible speed by galloping down the field on a 73-yard strike for a TD.
*Sanders finished the game with 5 carries for 33 yards and 1 reception for 73 yards and a TD. He also recorded 1 kickoff return for 19 yards.
*Sanders, a transfer from New Mexico and a Southern California prep prospect, shared a similar notion to Jordan regarding the incredible opportunity to play at USC.
*"This is my dream school. I always wanted to play here. I bet on myself, and now I'm here." – RB Eli Sanders
*The bulldozing back, RB Bryan Jackson, made his presence known by scoring at the end of the first quarter to increase USC's lead to 14-3.
*With a beautiful block from RG Alani Noa on not one, but two defenders, he was able to pave the way for Jackson to find the clear path to blast through the line and into the end zone on a 3-yard rush.
*Jackson finished the game with 5 carries for 11 yards and 1 TD.
*In his first game as a Trojan, redshirt freshman RB King Miller scored on a 75-yard rushing play with 5:30 left in the third quarter.
*It was the longest rushing TD for a Trojan since former USC RB Quinton Joyner scored on a 75-yard rush versus Penn State on Oct. 12, 2024.
*Also notably, his twin brother, OL Kaylon Miller was on the field for the Trojans on the offensive line blocking for his brother.
*Miller currently ranks No. 11 in the Big Ten in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (80).
*Miller finished the game as USC's leading rusher with 4 carries for 80 yards and 1 TD.
*USC had two scoring plays of more than 70 yards in the game: RB Eli Sanders' 73-yard TD reception and RB King Miller's 75-yard TD rush. The last time the Trojans had two scoring plays of more than 70 yards was Nov. 7, 2015 versus Arizona: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster's 72-yard TD reception and RB Ronald Jones' 74-yard TD run.
BIG TARGETS, BIGGER PLAYS
*The Trojan tight end game was a focal point of Saturday's game as redshirt senior TE Lake McRee and redshirt junior TE Carson Tabaracci both scored TDs for USC.
*McRee's TD in the second quarter increased USC's lead to 21-3. The Bears blitzed, McRee faked the block and then took off, nabbing a 64-yard reception from QB Maiava. The big man took off down the field, and no one was stopping him until he found the end zone.
*This reception was not only his career-long, but it was the longest reception by a USC tight end since Kori Dickerson had a 66-yard reception against UCLA on Nov. 17, 2001.
*To close out the game, Tabaracci put an exclamation point on the night with a 9-yard TD reception.
LEMON IN THE LIMELIGHT
*Against Missouri State, junior WR Makai Lemon was USC's leading receiver with 7 receptions for 90 yards.
*Over the last 9 games, Lemon has recorded 85.8 receiving yards a game.
*He also recorded 2 kickoff returns for 43 yards with a long of 24. LOOK OUT FOR LANE
*While it was one of his quieter games statistically, don't sleep on junior WR Ja'Kobi Lane.
*He finished the game with 3 receptions for 33 yards.
*What may be under the radar was Lane's unselfish game.
*During RB Eli Sander's epic 73-yard TD play, Lane made a crucial block that allowed Sanders to take it to the house.
*Lane has been vocal about his offseason development in the areas of maturity and discipline.
*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."
HOMEGROWN AND DOMINANT
*All strings on the Trojan offensive line impressed throughout the entire game.
*All five starters on USC's offensive line were recruited by Riley out of high school and have been developed in our program.
BLESSED BY BISHOP
*With some pressure up from the Trojan defensive line – a twist, a stunt and some epic physicality, Mo. State's QB Jacob Clark felt the heat and USC S Bishop Fitzgerald was reading him like a book. He locked in, snatched the INT and took it all the way to the house.
*Fitzgerald's 39-yard INT return for a TD in the second quarter was the first Trojan pick-six since Mason Cobb picked off a 55-yard INT return versus Wisconsin on Sept. 28, 2024.
*His INT was USC's first pick-six in a season opener since USC recorded three pick-sixes versus Rice on Sept. 3, 2022.
*Fitzgerald, who transferred from NC State prior to this season, had 5 INTs in two years with the Wolfpack. Saturday's pick-six was the first of his career.
*Per PFF, Fitzgerald ranks No. 1 among all Big Ten defenders, No. 1 among all FBS defensive backs and No. 3 among all FBS defenders with a 96.5 defensive grade. Fitzgerald ranks No. 3 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in INTs per game (1). He also ranks No. 12 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten in passes defended (2.0).
*Prior to playing in junior college, Fitzgerald was a quarterback. He credits his knowledge of the game from the offensive side of the ball to successfully get into the mind of the QB and make reads.
*Fellow safety, Christian Pierce was notably excited about Fitzgerald's INT. Fitzgerald credits Pierce for helping him learn the USC defense after transferring from NC State. Pierce's unselfishness showed his strong character in the transfer portal era, when many would be wary of a new player joining their position room. It speaks to the camaraderie of this Trojan team.
D'ANTON'S DYNAMIC DEFENSE
*Shocking Effort. Obnoxious Communication. Attack. USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn's three defensive pillars were on full display on Saturday evening as the Trojan defenders continued to find their way into the backfield and log 13 TFLs for minus 47 yards, the most in the nation over the weekend.
*The Trojans also collected 5 sacks for minus 25 yards. In 2024, USC's defense, the most improved in the nation, logged 21 sacks.
*DE Braylan Shelby led the team with 4 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 13 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 11 yards). He told the Los Angeles media that his goal was 10 sacks on the season, and he's certainly on his way there.
*DE Kameryn Fountain was an absolute menace reeking havoc and was disruptive the entire game. He collected 2 tackles, including 2 for loss of 6 yards (with 1 sack for minus 4 yards).
*DT Devan Thompkins, a leader on the Trojan defense, tallied 2 tackles, including 1 for loss of 3 yards.
*Prior to arriving at USC in 2022, Thompkins, now a starter on the Trojan defensive line, had not played football since the sixth grade, and instead concentrated on basketball. He picked football back up as senior in high school, and the rest is history.
*DT Jide Abasiri notched the first sack of his career against the Bears.
*USC logged a second INT against the Bears. Redshirt sophomore CB Kevin Longstreet jumped up to tip a Mo. State pass and redshirt junior DE Garrett Pomerantz, playing in his first ever game, caught the tipped pass and returned it for 37 yards.
FRESHMEN DEBUT
*Many young Trojans made their Coliseum debut last Saturday.
*Freshman QB Husan Longstreet started the second half of the game and allowed the Trojan Family a glimpse into the future.
*His unique athleticism was on full display as he went 9-for-9 for 69 yards and 1 TD, as well as rushed for 54 yards on 8 carries and ran in 2 TDs himself.
*Freshman WR Tanook Hines also saw significant playing time and recorded 1 reception for 11 yards.
*Freshman LB Matai Tagoa'i made a big play on a strip sack and redshirt freshman S Isaiah Rubin came up with the recovery.
UNIVERSITY OF SHARK CENTRAL
*Did you hear the Jaw's theme song playing on defensive third downs in the Coliseum?
*USC's "sharks" patrol the defense, circling the opponent's offense and striking with relentless precision. On third downs, the Jaws theme blasts through the Coliseum—a warning that the sharks are in the water and there's no easy escape.
STEADY SPECIAL TEAMS
*While USC didn't punt the entire game, USC K Ryon Sayeri was consistent and steady leading the Trojan special teams unit.
*Sayeri scored 11 points for the Trojans going 8-of-8 on extra point attempts and nailing a 32-yard field goal.
*USC was 10-of-10 on extra points in the game (with backup kicker William Weisberg scoring on the final two PATs), matching a program singlegame record. USC also made 10 extra points in 2005 versus Arkansas and in 1921 versus Cal Tech.
GAME BALLS
*After the game, USC head coach Lincoln Riley presented game balls to S Bishop Fitzgerlad, DE Garrett Pomerantz, TE Carson Tabaracci, LB Matai Tagoa'i, RB King Miller, OL Kaylon Miller and K Ryon Sayeri.
RANKINGS
*Due to college football games being played through Monday evening, the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll will come out on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
*Last week, neither USC nor Georgia Southern were ranked.
SERIES
*USC and Georgia Southern have not previously played.
VERSUS THE SUN BELT
*USC is 1-0 against teams from the Sun Belt Conference. USC defeated Arkansas State 55-6 in 2015 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
IN SEPTEMBER
*USC has a 199-56-8 (.772) all-time record while playing in the month of September (does not include 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 202-56-8, .774).
IN THE COLISEUM
*USC is 471-151-27 (.747) in the Coliseum, not including 6 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 6-0 in 2005 and 477-151-27, .749 in the Coliseum).
*USC began play in Coliseum during 1923 season, going 4-1 there that season.
COUNTING AT THE COLI
*USC's 655 games played in the Coliseum (including 6 wins vacated by NCAA penalty) are the third most that any school has played in its home stadium, behind Georgia Tech's 729 in Bobby Dodd Stadium and Tennessee's 657 in Neyland Stadium. 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 593 times.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN CONNECTIONS
*USC has 7 player from the state of Georgia (WR Asante Das, CB James Johnson, LB Garrison Madden, TE Walter Matthews, S Steve Miller, OL Alex Payne and S Kendarius Reddick), while Georgia Southern has 1 player from the state of California.
*USC DE Kameryn Fountain and Georgia Southern DL Kwon McGinney are both from Mobile, Ala.
*USC LB Garrison Madden and Georgia Southern OL Colin Alexander both prepped at Dutchtown HS in Hampton, Ga.
*USC CB James Johnson, Georgia Southern LB Braxtin McLester and Georgia Southern DL Korey Jordan all are from Douglas, Ga. and prepped at Douglas Country HS.
*USC OL Alex Payne and Georgia Southern WR Jeremiah Ware both are from Gainesville, Ga. and prepped at Gainesville HS.
*USC P Sam Johnson and Georgia Southern TE Henry Gregory are both from Birmingham, Ala.
*USC WR Asante Das, Georgia Southern LB Holden Trice and Georgia Southern DB Phillip Gladney are from Kennesaw, Ga.
*USC WR Jay Fair and Georgia Southern WR Camden Brown were teammates at Auburn in 2022 and 2023.
*Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton was the head coach at USC from 2015-2021. Prior to that, he was USC's quarterbacks coach beginning in 2010 under former USC head coach Lane Kiffin's tenure, and then took over the role of offensive coordinator in 2013. As a head coach, he went 46-24 (.657) and won the 2017 Rose Bowl with the Trojans during the 2016 season.
*USC Secondary Coach Doug Belk spent 5 seasons (2019-23) at Houston. From 2019-20, he was a co-defensive coordinator, and from 2021-23, he served as associate head coach/defensive coordinator. Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton played quarterback at Houston from 1993-94, under his father, former Houston head coach, Kim Helton.
*USC Running Backs Coach / Run Game Coordinator Anthony Jones Jr. was previously the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Memphis from 2018-21, and Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton spent 10 seasons at Memphis. He served as the running backs coach for three seasons, then coached the Tigers' receivers for the next four seasons, before becoming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the final three years.
*USC Assistant Head Coach for Defense / Linebackers Coach Rob Ryan was previously a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky in 1987, where Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton's brother, Tyson Helton, is now the head coach. Tyson was also the quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator at USC from 2016-17.
*USC Offensive Analyst Grayson Reed was a member of the Texas A&M football team (2017- 20), while Georgia Southern Defensive Coordinator / Safeties Coach Brandon Bailey was a Graduate Assistant and Defensive Analyst for the team in 2019-2020.
*USC Associate Director of Football Sports Performance Lonnie Maddox served as an assistant strength coach at Kansas State in 2024, while Georgia Southern Director of Recruiting Operations, Riley Galpin, also worked at K-State for the football program as the Assistant Director of On-Campus Recruiting.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN SCOUTING REPORT
*Georgia Southern fell to Fresno State in their season opener last Saturday 14-42.
*It was a tango of former Trojans as former USC head coach Clay Helton (now GSU's HC) dueled with former USC assistant head coach for defense / linebackers Coach Matt Entz (now Fresno State's HC).
*Fresno State's defense limited the GCU offense to 242 total yards – 158 passing (5.6 yards per pass) and just 84 yards rushing on 21 attempts (4.0 yards per rush).
*QB JC French IV went 17-of-28 for 158 yards and 2 TDs with 1 INT.
*WR Camden Brown was GSU's top receiver notching 4 receptions for 55 yards and 1 TD.
*The ground game was led by RB OJ Arnold who tallied 9 carries for 41 yards.
*The Eagles were 4-of-11 on third down conversions
*Georgia Southern ran just 49 plays in the game as Fresno State controlled the ball for 38:01 in the game.
*Fresno State finished with 527 total yards, including 351 yards rushing — its most since totaling 389 on Sept. 20, 2014.
