University Southern California Trojans
November 02, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES— USC head football coach Lincoln Riley has been named Paul "Bear" Bryant National 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. This 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 rebounded from a 7-24 loss at Wisconsin the previous week to score 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.
USC improves to 7-2, 4-2, and the Trojans now hold a 14-10-1 record over Ohio State. The win moves the Trojans to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 poll and No. 17 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley sparked USC's offense with a career-long 69-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jayden Maiava on the Trojans' second offensive play. He finished with five receptions for 101 yards and added a 44-yard punt return that helped set up Waymond Jordan's nine-yard touchdown run. Maiava completed 15 of 22 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown without an interception.
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman broke loose for a 70-yard reception in the third quarter, hurdling a defender and breaking tackles to set up King Miller's one-yard touchdown. Kicker Caden Chittenden made field goals from 36 and 32 yards, while fellow kicker Ryon Sayeri connected from 54 yards, tying his career-long and matching the second longest field goal in USC history.
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. Linebacker Desman Stephens II also forced a second-half fumble recovered by defensive tackle Floyd Boucard that set up Miller's touchdown and stopped Ohio State on downs in the closing minute after the Buckeyes had driven to the USC 12-yard line.
Each week through the remainder of the season, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards will recognize a coach for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Week is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
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. This 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 rebounded from a 7-24 loss at Wisconsin the previous week to score 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.
USC improves to 7-2, 4-2, and the Trojans now hold a 14-10-1 record over Ohio State. The win moves the Trojans to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 poll and No. 17 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley sparked USC's offense with a career-long 69-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jayden Maiava on the Trojans' second offensive play. He finished with five receptions for 101 yards and added a 44-yard punt return that helped set up Waymond Jordan's nine-yard touchdown run. Maiava completed 15 of 22 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown without an interception.
Freshman tight end Mark Bowman broke loose for a 70-yard reception in the third quarter, hurdling a defender and breaking tackles to set up King Miller's one-yard touchdown. Kicker Caden Chittenden made field goals from 36 and 32 yards, while fellow kicker Ryon Sayeri connected from 54 yards, tying his career-long and matching the second longest field goal in USC history.
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. Linebacker Desman Stephens II also forced a second-half fumble recovered by defensive tackle Floyd Boucard that set up Miller's touchdown and stopped Ohio State on downs in the closing minute after the Buckeyes had driven to the USC 12-yard line.
Each week through the remainder of the season, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards will recognize a coach for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Week is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
TE
/ Football
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
P/K
/ Football
LB
/ FootballSunday, November 01
Saturday, October 31
Saturday, October 31
Saturday, October 31
