University Southern California Trojans
USC
Indiana
November 10, 2026 | Football
STRANGER THINGS AHEAD
* Halloween night may be over, but the Trojans head to Indiana—the home state of Hawkins, the fictional town at the center of Stranger Things, and the Upside Down.
* After an epic showdown with Ohio State beneath the Coliseum lights, USC now turns its attention to the Hoosiers.
* Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. ET) on CBS. USC will look to close the gate on the Upside Down and leave Bloomington with a win.
OHIO STATE RECAP
* USC head football coach Lincoln Riley was named Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Week and the CBS Sports Big Ten Coach of the Week following the Trojans' 30-18 victory over No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday (Oct. 31).
* The victory marked USC's highest win over a ranked team since it defeated No. 2 Oklahoma in the 2004 season (Jan. 5, 2005).
* It was also USC's first home victory over an Associated Press top-five opponent since 2015.
* It was USC's 17th all-time win versus an AP top-two team which is third-most all time, and USC snapped Ohio State's 22 road game win streak against unranked opponents.
* USC scored more points against Ohio State's defense than any opponent had in the Buckeyes' previous 31 games.
* The Trojans also held the Buckeyes to their lowest point total of the 2026 season.
* The Trojans built a 20-9 halftime lead and extended their advantage to 27-9 in the third quarter before a rain-soaked Coliseum crowd stormed the field following the victory.
* Ohio State entered the game with one of only two FBS defenses that had not allowed a 40+ yard play. It's allowed a 69-yard touchdown pass and another 70-yard reception to USC.
* USC's defense kept Ohio State out of the end zone until 2:12 remained, holding the Buckeyes to three field goals on their first five possessions.
* Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith averaged 8.3 yards per reception against USC, his lowest of the season.
* USC improves to 7-2, 4-2, and the Trojans now hold a 14-10-1 record over Ohio State.
* The game was the most-watched Big Ten Saturday Night game in 2026, averaging 7.1 million viewers on NBC and Peacock.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE USC OFFENSE
* Brock Vereen, 97.1 The Fan - "USC has more depth offensively than anyone else in the country."
MAIAVA MAGIC
* The USC quarterback is a position unlike any other.
* This young man becomes a household name, an annual Heisman contender and is under the brightest spotlight. They are in a league of their own and comprise a historic fraternity of some of the best collegiate players in history.
* USC is led by one of the nation's best quarterbacks in redshirt senior Jayden Maiava.
* Maiava completed 15 of 22 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown without an interception against the Buckeyes.
* Maiava leads the Big Ten in completions per game (22.0), passing touchdowns (20) and passing yards (2,524).
* He has accounted for 22 touchdowns through 9 games, throwing 20 and rushing for 2 with just 5 interceptions.
* Maiava's opening nine-game stretch compares favorably with the greatest quarterbacks in USC history. Through nine games, Maiava's 66.9 completion percentage is the best among the group, while his 20 passing TDs are 8 fewer than Williams, 2 fewer than Palmer and the same number Leinart recorded during their respective nine-game starts.
| Quarterback | Season | Record | Comp.-Att. | Pct. | Pass Yards | YPA | Pass TD | INT | Efficiency |
| Jayden Maiava | 2026 | 7-2 | 198-296 | 66.9 | 2,525 | 8.5 | 20 | 5 | 157.5 |
| Caleb Williams | 2022 | 8-1 | 204-316 | 64.6 | 2,742 | 8.7 | 28 | 1 | 166.1 |
| Matt Leinart | 2004 | 9-0 | 176-274 | 64.2 | 2,068 | 7.5 | 20 | 5 | 148.1 |
| Carson Palmer | 2002 | 7-2 | 217-346 | 62.7 | 2,746 | 7.9 | 22 | 8 | 145.7 |
* Maiava makes his throws count. He is tied for second among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 8.6 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams sits at No. 1 with 9.2 yards per attempt, tied with Matt Leinart at second with 8.6 and Sam Darnold holds the No. 3 spot with 8.5 yards per attempt.
* He is currently eighth on USC's career total offense leader board with 7,568 total yards of offense as a Trojan. Maiava also ranks 13th on USC's single season passing leader board with 265 completions in the 2025 season.
* He has been named to the Johnny Unitas Award Top 10, the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List and he was one of 12 total players from the Big Ten Conference to be named to the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list.
* Maiava was also named a nominee for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, the Allstate AFCA Goodworks Team and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron.
* With another year under offensive coordinator Luke Huard and Riley, who is the only head coach to tutor three Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks, have 3 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft and has the most No. 1 overall draft selections in the common draft era, Maiava is expected to continue to make large strides.
MAIAVA MAKES A DIFFERENCE
* As USC's quarterback and a household name under one of football's most prominent spotlights, Maiava remains deeply grounded in service, humility and community.
* Originally from Honolulu's Pālolo Valley, Maiava never forgot where he came from or the struggles he overcame growing up. His experiences shaped an incredible servant's heart and a genuine passion for mentoring children and uplifting underserved communities, especially his deep commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape him.
* Maiava consistently uses his platform to inspire hope, connection and opportunity for others. He embodies the spirit of 'ohana: the value of family, connection and community.
* In June of 2026, he returned to Honolulu's Pālolo Valley where he hosted a free youth football clinic for more than 350 local children ages 6 to 14, transforming a day of football instruction into a meaningful event centered on mentorship, inspiration and opportunity.
* Throughout the clinic, Maiava taught football fundamentals while emphasizing teamwork, perseverance and the importance of believing in yourself despite adversity, drawing from his own journey from the Pālolo Valley to the highest levels of the sport.
* Extending his impact beyond the field, proceeds from event t-shirt sales were donated to Aloha 1st Athletics, a local nonprofit dedicated to leadership, character development and mental health support through sports, reinforcing his commitment to investing in the next generation and strengthening the community that shaped him.
* Above all, Maiava encouraged attendees to lead with integrity, make a positive impact on those around them and pursue excellence in football, academics, faith and everyday life.
* On this same trip, Maiava continued his commitment to giving back by returning to his former high school, Kaimukī High, where he spoke to students not only as the USC quarterback but as someone who once walked the same halls with the same aspirations.
* Reflecting on his journey from serving as a Bulldogs ball boy and water boy to achieving his dream of wearing the Kaimukī jersey and competing at the highest level, Maiava shared an honest message about overcoming adversity, embracing opportunity and trusting God's plan.
* He encouraged students to approach life with a "Fight On" mentality, emphasizing resilience, discipline, faith, accountability and the importance of supporting others through difficult times.
* Crediting his mother as his greatest inspiration, he also stressed the value of education and the life lessons football has taught him about leadership, perseverance and character.
* Maiava's outreach continued at Jarrett Middle School, where he inspired more than 400 students through an interactive discussion focused on perseverance, personal responsibility and making positive choices, sharing his own experiences growing up in Pālolo Housing and encouraging students to embrace discipline over regret as they pursue their goals.
* He also visited Pālolo Elementary School, where he read with students, sang songs and created an engaging, uplifting environment that reflected his genuine commitment to mentorship and community.
* Together, these visits underscored Maiava's dedication to empowering Hawaii's youth through education, faith, service and authentic leadership, reinforcing his mission to invest in the communities that helped shape him.
* Beyond his work in Hawaii, Maiava has consistently dedicated his time to serving communities throughout Los Angeles, partnering with organizations focused on food insecurity, youth development and community outreach.
* He has volunteered multiple times with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, helping sort and pack thousands of pounds of fresh produce for families in need, including supporting relief efforts for residents displaced by the January 2025 wildfires.
* Maiava has also demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing food insecurity through his service at the Dream Center and The Midnight Mission.
* Across three volunteer shifts at the Dream Center, he helped prepare and serve more than 1,300 meals for individuals experiencing food insecurity, while at The Midnight Mission he worked alongside staff to prepare and distribute meals to individuals and families seeking support, reflecting his hands-on approach to serving those most in need.
* In addition to his volunteer service, Maiava has invested in mentoring and empowering young people through organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, Angel City Sports' Youth Weekend and The Young Shakespeareans.
* Whether coaching and encouraging local youth, participating in adaptive sports alongside children with physical disabilities or celebrating students' achievements in the arts, he has consistently used his platform to promote inclusion, confidence, education and personal growth while building meaningful connections throughout the community.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MAIAVA
* Ken Niumatalolo, San José State Head Coach - "Jayden [Maiava] is a Heisman Trophy candidate."
* Matt Entz, Fresno State Head Coach - "You see why their quarterback is a Heisman contender. He's tremendously talented, has great understanding and great awareness of what's going on."
* Matt Leinart, Former USC Heisman Winning Quarterback and CBF Analyst - "He looks like a first round talent. He looks like a Heisman Trophy candidate."
* Jake Butt, Big Ten Network Analyst - "It's time to kinda put some fuel back in the tank for the Maiava Heisman conversations cause he's been outstanding."
* Colin Cowherd, Host of the Herd - "Looks like a first round talent."
* John Frascella, NFL Insider - "I'm a big Jayden Maiava guy. I just think he has natural quarterbacking instincts. Very fluid."
MOSLEY MANIA
* Freshman WR Trent Mosley has been one of the most thrilling athletes in college football in 2026.
* Through just six games, he has produced 32 catches for 512 yards (16.0 avg.), a team-leading 6 touchdowns and has 212 yards on 8 punt returns (26.5 avg.), including an 86-yard return for a touchdown against Louisiana.
* After missing three games with an injury, Mosley, a Midseason True Freshman All-American as named by The Athletic, returned against Penn State to shine for the Trojan offense earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for recording 9 receptions for 111 yards (12.3 avg.) and a touchdown against the Nittany Lions.
* His momentum has not slowed down.
* Mosley opened USC's scoring with a career-long 69-yard touchdown reception on USC's second offensive play, marking the Trojans' earliest touchdown since Marqise Lee's opening-play score against Oregon State in 2013.
* He continued to create opportunities with a 44-yard punt return into Ohio State territory that helped set up USC's second touchdown.
* Later, his 12-yard reception on third-and-4 extended a drive that ended in a field goal before halftime.
* Mosley's combined receiving, rushing and punt-return production are a team-leading 741 yards and 7 scores, averaging 123.5 yards per game.
* He has recorded 100+ receiving yards in four of his six games, and he has scored a touchdown in every game he has played in at the Coliseum.
* Mosley's four 100-yard receiving games are the most by a freshman since Marqise Lee in 2011.
* Mosley is the highest graded true freshman wide receiver in the FBS with an 84.3 grade per PFF.
* He was named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
* Mosley was selected as the 247Sports True Freshman of the Week and as a On3 Week 9 True Freshmen Standout for his performance against Ohio State.
* Mosley is No. 9 on ESPN's Top 40 Freshmen List.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT TRENT MOSLEY
* Brock Vereen, 97.1 The Fan – "Hear me very clearly. I have never been more certain in my life that a player is going to win a Heisman one day. He is that impressive, and he has not even sniffed his full potential."
* Ryan Dyrud, LA Football Network - "Trent Mosley is ELECTRIC. What a game-changer"
* Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times – "Trent Mosley has been absolutely electric so far today. Pretty clear why he's been considered a likely starter for so long"
* Ryan Abraham, USCFootball.com – "Trent Mosley is a dude."
* Benjamin Rover, OC Register – "Trent Mosley is going to be playing on Sundays for a long, long time."
* Chris Trevino, WeAreSC.com – "Trent Mosley is inevitable"
* Kendell Hollowell, USC Trojans on SI – "Trent Mosley is not a star in the making, he is a STAR. The next great USC wide receiver."
* Adam Rittenberg, ESPN – "Trent Mosley is a problem."
* Paolo Uggetti, ESPN – "Trent Mosley is #good"
* Jake Butt, Big Ten Network CFB Analyst – "He's going to be a weapon for years to come."
* Bryan Fischer, Sports Illustrated – "Trent Mosley is the next one in cardinal and gold. Impressive start to the season after a great camp."
* John Fanta, NBC Sports Broadcaster – "If you are not on the Trent Mosley bus, get on it before it's too late. Just an insanely talented player."
* Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times – "Trent Mosley might actually be superhuman. Will try to confirm."
* Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times – "If Trent Mosley's unbelievable 86-yard punt return for a touchdown doesn't make him a Heisman candidate as a freshman, what else do you want?"
* Su'a Cravens, former USC & NFL Safety and College Football Analyst – "Having Trent Mosley back is so vital to this offense. Looks like a 5th year Senior out there."
* Tim Prangley, LA Football Network – "Trent Mosley showing off ELITE ball skills. This freshman is out of this world good."
* Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times - "Get the ball to Trent Mosley and big things happen."
* Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI - "Don't kick to Trent Mosley because he's going to do something exciting with the ball in his hands."
* Nicole Auerbach, NBC analyst - "Trent Mosley is so good."
* John Fanta, NBC - "Trent Mosley is a game wrecker for USC."
* Daniel Jeremiah, ESPN/NFL Network - "Mosley is such a stud for USC"
* Ryan Dyrud, LAFB Network - "Trent Mosley is incredible. Just an absolute game changer"
MAKING HIS MARK
* USC freshman TE Mark Bowman made one of the most incredible plays of the 2026 college football season against Ohio State.
* His career-long 70-yard catch in the third quarter was the longest play of the game, taking USC from its own 27-yard line to the Ohio State 3.
* Bowman said, "Get out of my way!" as he hurdled Ohio State defensive back Jaylen McClain. He ran through tackle attempts by safety Earl Little Jr. and cornerback Dominick Kelly and threw a shoulder into Ohio State linebacker Riley Pettijohn before running out of bounds.
* Bowman's catch set up a 1-yard touchdown run by USC running back King Miller that gave the Trojans a 27-9 lead.
* Bowman finished the game recording three catches for 79 yards and averaging 26.3 yards per reception.
* Bowman was selected as a On3 Week 9 True Freshmen Standout for his performance against Ohio State.
* Bowman, the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder leads all FBS freshman tight ends in targets (31), receptions (24) and yards receiving (283), while ranking second in touchdown catches (2), despite missing three games this season.
* Bowman is the highest graded true freshman tight end in the FBS with an 81.5 grade per PFF.
* Bowman is No. 3 on the team with 24 receptions for 283 yards (16.4 avg.).
* His 283 receiving yards are the most by a freshman tight end in Trojan history.
* Bowman is No. 24 on ESPN's Top 40 Freshmen List.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MARK BOWMAN
* David Pollack, College Football Analyst - "Had an SEC coach tell me he is the closest thing to Brock Bowers he has seen in recruiting. Mark Bowman. Get to know that name America!"
* Max Chadwick, College Football Analyst - "If Mark Bowman can block like this, he can be SPECIAL. His route-running ability is some of the best I've seen for a true freshman."
* Ted Nguyen, The Athletic Senior Writer - "This Mark Bowman is a freak."
* Ryan Dyrud, LAFB Network - "Maybe the play of the year from Mark Bowman. Wow!"
* Paolo Uggetti, ESPN - "Mark Bowman -- I don't believe what I just saw."
* Pat Forde, Sports Illustrated - "Why was Mark Bowman the No. 1 TE recruit in the country? Because of THAT. My goodness."
* Antonio Morales, The Athletic - "Oh my goodness Mark Bowman. I can't believe that run I just saw."
* Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI - "MARK BOWMAN. YOU ARE INSANE."
* Campus Rundown CFB - "Mark Bowman is such a key part of this USC offense. Clear difference with him back in there."
* Josh Pate, College Football Analyst - "Mark Bowman is an alien"
* Ian Miller, Outkick - "This run by Mark Bowman might be the single most athletic play I've ever seen from a college tight end. My goodness."
* Brandon Walker, Barstool Sports - "70 yards, in the second half…he hurdles a guy and then when he lands, he breaks a tackle, and then he runs through a guy, and then he drags a guy 10 yards. One of the most impressive individual plays I've seen all year. Maybe the highlight of the year. That was the most bad*ss thing. Just a f*cking incredible play by Bowman the tight end for USC."
* Sam Block, ESPN - "Mark Bowman from USC just had one of the most impressive plays in football history."
* Emmanuel Acho, Football Analyst - "This creature is a freshman, btw…"
CATCHING FIRE
* WR Zacharyus Williams recorded 1 reception for 15 yards.
* TE Tucker Ashcraft notched 1 catch for 3 yards.
* Standout freshman WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, a Midseason True Freshman All-American Honorable Mention, is No. 14 on ESPN's Top 40 Freshmen List.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KAYDEN DIXON-WYATT
* Travis May, Editor of A to Z Sports NFL – "Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is a true freshman WR playing like a pro already"
* Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI – "Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is a STAR. He's no ordinary freshman."
* John Frascella, NFL Insider – "Meet Kayden Dixon-Wyatt… new USC stud wide receiver. Simply… electric"
* Bussin' With The Boys – "Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is UNREAL"
* Kendell Hollowell, USC on SI – "When in doubt look for Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. The freshman receiver has been a reliable target for Jayden Maiava all season."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT TANOOK HINES
* Brandon Walker, Barstool Sports - "Tanook Hines is a GROWN MAN"
* Andy Staples, On3 - "Tanook Hines said 'Gimme that' and turned an interception into a touchdown."
BACKS IN BUSINESS
* Two plays after a 70-yard catch and run from TE Mark Bowman, RB King Miller scored a 1-yard rushing TD putting the Trojans up 27-9.
* Miller rushed for 78 yards in 13 carries (6.0 avg.)
* Miller, who began his collegiate career as a walk-on, had a breakout season in 2025, and has continued to produce for the Trojans in 2026, securing a starting role in the USC lineup. He was placed on scholarship following the 2025 season.
* In 2026, Miller has tallied 603 rushing yards on 125 carries (4.8 avg.) with 4 TDs. He's also recorded 7 receptions for 41 yards (5.9 avg.). He has recorded three 100-yard rushing games: 128 yards against Louisiana and 102 yards each against Rutgers and Penn State. Miller has surpassed 1,600 career rushing yards and 13 career rushing touchdowns.
* With 2:30 left in the first quarter, RB Waymond Jordan extended USC's lead to 14-3 on a 9-yard rushing TD, marking his third TD of the year.
* This was his first TD since he scored an 8-yard TD against Washington.
FRONT FIVE FORCE
* USC's offensive line was named to the 2026 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.
* In Lincoln Riley's electric offense, the USC offensive line has helped the Trojans average 294.4 passing yards per game, while averaging 129.3 yards on the ground.
* The Trojans are averaging 32.4 points per game, and USC is No. 2 in the Big Ten in first downs offense (214).
* The offensive line's pass blocking has allowed QB Jayden Maiava to go 210-for-312 (.673) for 2,651 yards and 20 TDs.
* The line's run blocking has allowed six different Trojans to score a total of 14 rushing touchdowns so far this season.
* The Trojan offensive line's versatility and depth have been showcased in 2026. Prior to the first game, center Kilian O'Connor suffered a season-ending injury, and Tobias Raymond stepped into his place as the new starter.
* Throughout his collegiate career, Raymond has started in every position on the offensive line except right guard.
* Per PFF, OL Elijah Paige is No. 3 among all Power Four offensive linemen and No. 1 in the Big Ten with a minimum of 350 block snaps with an 84.8 offensive grade, No. 3 in the Power Four and No. 2 in the Big Ten with an 90.7 pass block grade and No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 9 in the Power Four with a 80.0 run block grade.
* Last week, Paige was listed as the projected No. 7 overall pick in FOX Sport's 2027 NFL Mock Draft.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT RILEY & PATTERSON
* Ken Niumatalolo, San José State Head Coach - "Gary's one of the best defensive minds in all of college football. I'm good friends with him. We worked together in 1995 at the Naval Academy, so I'm very familiar with Gary. I was on the AFCA board with him for over a decade, so I know Gary Patterson very well. Smart call by Lincoln to hire him. They're going to get people in trouble in the Big Ten, and that's just their first game. And as they grow, they're going to get better with Gary leading their defense. But Gary's a phenomenal football coach. He's a phenomenal culture builder, and a credit to Lincoln. To have the humility as a head coach, and the foresight to hire a Hall-of-Famer. A lot of coaches wouldn't do that. They're like, 'No, I'm not going to hire a guy that caliber in my chair.' But to his credit, Lincoln hired a guy that's one of the best defensive minds of all time. The 4-2-5, he's basically the pioneer and creator of that. A very phenomenal coach."
WAFLE HOUSE
* Few defensive freshmen have been as disruptive or dominant as DE Luke Wafle, On3/Rivals' No. 1 overall prospect from the 2026 class.
* Wafle, a Midseason True Freshman All-American as named by On3/Rivals, 247Sports and The Athletic, is the true freshman leader in QB Pressures across the FBS this season with 23.
* He has recorded 36 total tackles (26 solo), including 8.5 TFLs and 3 sacks.
* Wafle is a strong run defender with the most stops (21) among true freshman edges and defensive linemen, according to PFF.
* He has only missed three tackles in 2026 according to PFF and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his standout performance against Louisiana when he tallied 5 tackles, including 4 solo stops, a career-high 2.0 TFLs and 1 sack.
* Wafle's 8.5 tackles for loss are the most by a freshman defensive lineman since DL Drake Jackson had 11.5 tackles for loss in 2019.
* Wafle is No. 7 on ESPN's Top 40 Freshmen List.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LUKE WAFLE
* Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times - "Luke Wafle. Star."
* Ryan Dyrud, LA Football Network - "The Trojans have not had an EDGE player like Luke Wafle in, I don't know, how long. Even the way he sets the edge and sheds blocks to take down the RB is just DIFFERENT"
* Aaron Taylor, College Football Analyst - "DL97 Jide Abasiri and DE94 Luke Wafle are gonna be a problem for people this year."
* Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times - "I know Luke Wafle is a true freshman. And every game I re-remind myself this, and it still doesn't seem true."
PRESSURE UP FRONT
* With 7:51 left in the third quarter, DT Floyd Boucard recovered a fumble, marking the second fumble recovery of Boucard's career. The last came against Fresno State earlier this season.
* Boucard leads the Big Ten and is No. 6 in the nation in fumbles recovered (2).
* DE Braylan Shelby recorded a sack for minus 7 yards as well a career-high 5 tackles.
* DT Alex VanSumeren and DE Kameryn Crawford each also tallied half a sack.
* DT Jide Abasiri has been named as a Quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
* Abasiri, a junior, has emerged as a leader of the Trojan defense, earning team captain honors and representing USC at Big Ten Media Days.
* His leadership is matched by his versatility up front.
* Abasiri can play multiple spots along the defensive line, and his ability to disrupt the pocket and draw extra attention creates opportunities for his teammates.
* So far in 2026, he has tallied 24 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 14 yards (with 1 sack for minus 10 yards) and 2 quarterback hurries.
BIG THANOS ENERGY
* Even though he's missed four games in 2026 (San José State, Fresno State, Louisiana and Rutgers), DT Jahkeem Stewart continues to make his presence known.
* He also impacts the team with his big personality that is hard to miss and easy to feel.
* After the Washington win, Stewart met with the media and shared his excitement and his craving for some home-cooked gumbo. His charisma quickly brought smiles to the room of journalists as well as Coach Riley and his teammates.
* Lincoln Riley said: "As you guys saw in the post-game [against] Washington, he's a big personality. He's extremely competitive. He's a loud but boisterous guy. You got to have some guys like that in your program, and so he brings a lot of competitiveness and a lot of juice to our defense and to our program. You feel it when he's there, and you feel a little bit of the gap sometimes, honestly, when he's not there. So, no question. You feel it. He's one of the unique players that you feel it from his on-the-field play, and you feel it from his personality and competitive juice, both. And they're both obviously super valuable."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JAHKEEM STEWART
* Chris Trevino, WeAreSC.com - "THANOS IS INEVITABLE"
* Jeffrey Toobin, Opinion Writer & Author, New York Times - "Thanos -- Jahkeem Stewart -- is going to be a superstar in the NFL. Bookmark it."
TACKLING THE TASK
* LB Desman Stephens II decorated his stat sheet against Ohio State, finishing with nine tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
* With Ohio State threatening at the USC 32-yard line in the third quarter, Stephens punched the ball free from running back Isaiah West, and Floyd Boucard recovered it to end the drive.
* USC capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown on its next possession, extending its lead to 27–9.
* LB Deven Bryant led the team with a career-high 11 tackles.
DBs HAVE IT COVERED
* USC's secondary showed great cohesion, limiting Jeremiah Smith to a season-low 8.3 yards per catch and forced freshman QB Luke Fahey to manufacture long drives.
* When CB Jontez Williams matched up against Smith, Smith only recorded 3 catches on 4 targets for 7 yards.
* CB Chasen Johnson had a career-high 5 tackles.
* S Prophet Brown recorded the first TFL of his career as he tackled Ohio State's Bo Jackson for a loss of three yards forcing a second-and-13 that would ultimately result in Ohio State taking a field goal rather than finding the end zone.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ALEX GRAHAM
* Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times – "Alex Graham is clearly essential to USC's secondary...There's no player more valuable on the back end of USC's defense."
* Kendell Hollowell, USC Trojans on SI – "Having Alex Graham in the lineup makes a big difference."
* Chris Trevino, WeAreSC.com – "Alex Graham is the best tackler on the defense."
THE AUSSIE ADVANTAGE
* P Lachlan Carrigan, from Melbourne, Australia, is averaging 48.7 yards on 17 punts this season, a mark that would rank fifth nationally among the listed leaders, though he does not meet the leaderboard's minimum 3.6 punts-per-game requirement.
* Eight of Carrigan's punts have traveled at least 50 yards. Six have pinned opponents inside their own 20, 5 at or inside the 10, 3 at or inside the 5 with 1 punt at the 1 against Washington.
* He has averaged over 50-yards in 3 games this season (50.0 versus Louisiana, 56.0 versus Rutgers and 52.5 versus Penn State).
* Against Ohio State, Carrigan tallied 4 punts for 184 yards (46.0 avg.) with a long of 56, booting one inside the 20 and recorded 1 touchback and one punt that was fair caught.
* Carrigan has been instrumental in flipping the field and giving the Trojan defense great field position all season long.
* He also handles holding duties for the Trojans.
SPECIALISTS AT WORK
* K Ryon Sayeri delivered a standout performance making a 54-yard field goal and handling kickoff duties.
* The 54-yarder tied his career-long kick, which also ranks as the second-longest field goal in USC history, came on fourth-and-6 in the second quarter and extended the Trojans' lead to 17–6.
* Sayeri also averaged 57.9 yards on seven kickoffs, sending three into the end zone for touchbacks.
* Going into halftime, K Caden Chittenden capped off a 10-play, 56-yard drive with a 36-yard field goal. The Trojans took a 20-9 lead going into the half.
* Chittenden scored USC's final points of the night on a 32-yard field goal to increase USC's lead to 30-18.
* Chittenden was perfect on the night scoring 2 field goals and 3 PATs.
* WR Tanook Hines returned a kickoff for 24 yards, the longest of his career, to set up a short field for USC to score on a field goal to separate to 30-18.
RANKINGS
* USC is ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll, No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and was No. 20 in last week's initial College Football Playoff Poll.
* Indiana is No. 6 in the AP Poll, No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and was No. 4 in last week's initial College Football Playoff Poll.
* USC entered the Ohio State game as the only FBS team with three Top 10 opponents remaining.
* USC has beaten three Top 10 opponents just twice in the last 50 years: 2003 and 1978. They won the national title both times.
* USC has only beaten three Top 10 opponents in the same regular season one time in 1967–also a national championship year.
SERIES
* USC has a played Indiana just four times in program history.
* USC hasn't been to Bloomington since 1981 when the Trojans shut out the Hoosiers 21-0.
IN OCTOBER
* USC has a 323-132-19 (.702) all-time record while playing in the month of October (not including 5 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; revised record: 328-132-19, .705).
GOOD BYES
* USC is 103-51-4 in all regular season games it has played following byes. Since 1955, the Trojans are 64-22-1 following byes (6 of those losses and the tie were to UCLA). (Not including 2 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original records: 105-51-4 overall, 66-22-1 since 1955.) USC had 3 regular-season byes in 1996, 2003 and 2004, the first time that had happened since 1935. For the first time since 1995, USC did not have a bye between any of its regular-season games in 2017.
INDIANA CONNECTIONS
* USC has two players from the state of Indiana (P Nate Hillenburg and OL Ryan Pauley), while Indiana has no players from the state of California.
* USC CB Jontez Williams and Indiana LS Drew Clausen both previously played at Iowa State.
* USC WR Trent Mosley, USC QB Jonas Williams, USC DT Braeden Jones and Indiana DB Garrett Reese are all from Chicago, Ill.
* USC S Alex Graham, USC WR Terrell Anderson and Indiana WR Nick Marsh are all from Detroit, Mich.
* USC S Kennedy Urlacher and Indiana DL Josh Burnham both previously played at Notre Dame.
* USC LB Ta'Mere Robinson, USC DE Zuriah Fisher and Indiana DB A.J. Harris all previously played at Penn State.
* USC WR Tanook Hines, USC DE Jadyn Ramos and Indiana DB Carson Williams are all from Houston, Texas.
* USC WR Romero Ison, Indiana DB Byron Baldwin Jr. and Indiana DL Rodney White are all from Baltimore, Md.
* USC RB Tyson Park and Indiana OL Bray Lynch are both from Austin, Texas.
* USC RB Tyson Park, USC OL Breck Kolojay, USC OL Keenyi Pepe and Indiana DL Cam McHaney all prepped together at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
* USC P Lachlan Carrigan and Indiana P Billy Gowers are both from Melbourne, Australia.
* USC P Nate Hillenburg, Indiana WR Davion Chandler, Indiana QB Maverick Geske, Indiana DB Kasmir Hicks, Indiana DB Heath Kizer, Indiana DB Lincoln Murff, Indiana OL Adedamola Ajani, Indiana K Quinn Warren, Indiana DL Cam McHaney and Indiana DL Tyrone Burrus Jr. are all from Indianapolis, Ind.
* USC P Nate Hillenburg and Indiana LB Jeff Utzinger both prepped at Cathedral HS in Indianapolis, Ind.
* USC P Nate Hillenburg, USC OL Ryan Pauley and Indiana DB Iosua Stephens all previously played at Valparaiso.
* USC SNP Caleb Moser and Indiana RB Lee Beebe Jr. both previously played at UAB.
* USC OL Ryan Pauley, Indiana LB Jeff Utzinger, Indiana OL Evan Parker and Indiana K Josh Placzek are all from Carmel, Ind.
* USC OL Ryan Pauley, Indiana OL Evan Parker and Indiana K Josh Placzek all prepped at Carmel HS in Carmel, Ind.
* USC TE Tucker Ashcraft, Indiana DB Preston Zachman, Indiana OL Joe Brunner and Indiana OL Drew Evans all previously played at Wisconsin.
* USC DT Alex VanSumeren and Indiana WR Nick Marsh both previously played at Michigan State.
* USC Special Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach Mike Ekeler was Indiana's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2011-12.
* Indiana Quarterbacks Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator Tino Sunseri served in a similar role for UCLA in 2025 while USC DT Jordan Abarca was on the Bruin's roster.
INDIANA SCOUTING REPORT
* Indiana enters the matchup 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play after a 23-16 overtime win over Minnesota. The Hoosiers rallied to tie the game on a 60-yard field goal as time expired, then won on a 25-yard touchdown pass from QB Wilson to WR Charlie Becker in overtime.
* Indiana totaled 419 yards against Minnesota, with 275 passing yards and 144 rushing yards. The Hoosiers converted 2-of-13 third downs and committed two turnovers.
* The Hoosiers are averaging 32.4 points and 420.1 yards of total offense per game, including 233.3 passing yards and 186.2 rushing yards.
* QB Josh Hoover has completed 124-of-206 passes for 1,860 yards, 19 TDs and 2 interceptions. Grant Wilson has completed 13-of-22 passes for 230 yards and 3 TDs.
* Against Minnesota, Hoover completed 8-of-19 passes for 119 yards, one touchdown and one interception, finishing with a quarterback rating of 37.7. Wilson, meanwhile, completed 9-of-17 attempts for 156 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, posting a QBR of 82.8. Wilson also provided a different dimension with his legs, rushing four times for 26 yards. Hoover managed just two yards on three rushing attempts.
* RB Turbo Richard leads Indiana with 745 rushing yards on 113 carries and 6 TDs. RB Lee Beebe Jr. has added 715 yards on 134 carries and 4 TDs.
* WR Charlie Becker leads the Hoosiers with 50 receptions for 875 yards and 9 TDs. WR Nick Marsh has 38 catches for 669 yards and 8 TDs.
* Becker had a team-high 149 receiving yards on eight catches against Minnesota, including the 25-yard overtime touchdown. Marsh added four receptions for 59 yards and a score.
* Indiana converts 40% of its third downs (43-of-107, 11th in the conference) and 50% of its fourth downs (6-of-12, 14th in the conference).
* Defensively, the Hoosiers are allowing 12.4 points and 259.2 total yards per game. Opponents average 183.7 passing yards and 75.6 rushing yards. They lead the Big Ten and are fifth in the nation in first downs defense (133).
* Indiana has recorded 32 sacks and intercepted 7 passes this season. CB Amare Ferrell leads the team with 3 interceptions.
* The Hoosiers have scored on 29-of-34 red-zone possessions, with 22 trips resulting in touchdowns. They are 12th in the Big Ten in red zone offense. Opponents have scored on 15-of-20 red-zone trips and recorded 7 TDs, putting the Hoosiers at No. 2 in the Big Ten for red zone defense.
* Indiana has committed 38 penalties for 313 yards, an average of 34.8 penalty yards per game. They lead the conference with the fewest penalties and are fifth in the nation for fewest penalties.
