University Southern California Trojans
USC
Rutgers
No. 12 USC Football Opens Big Ten Conference Play On The Road At Rutgers In New Jersey
September 15, 2026 | Football
RUTGERS….WE HAVE A SITUATION
* Gym, Tan, Laundry, Fight On!
* New Jersey has given popular culture plenty of iconic moments, but few have been as unforgettable, or as endlessly quotable, as MTV's Jersey Shore.
* From Snooki and "T-shirt time" to GTL and "Cabs are here," the cast brought the Jersey Shore into living rooms across the country.
* Now, the Trojans are heading east to New Jersey, 2,769 miles to be exact, to kick off Big Ten Conference play against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on CBS at 12:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. ET).
* This will be just the second meeting between USC and Rutgers. The Trojans won the inaugural matchup, 42-20, in Los Angeles in 2024.
* By the end of the night, USC hopes to have Pauly D trading in his signature catchphrase for a new one: "The Trojans are here!"
VICTORY AFTER DARK
* USC closed out non-conference play with a 49-30 victory over Louisiana late on Saturday evening.
* USC opens the 2026 season 3-0.
* The Trojans accumulated 483 yards of total offense, including 269 passing and 214 rushing, for their first 200-yard rushing and 200-yard passing performance of the season.
* USC averaged 6.8 yards per play while running 71 offensive plays and controlling the ball for 33:14.
* The Trojans converted 11-of-15 third downs (73.3%), their highest conversion rate of the season.
* USC converted its only fourth-down attempt and finished 4-for-4 in the red zone, with all 4 trips resulting in TDs.
* The Trojans scored 7 TDs: 5 passing, 1 rushing and 1 punt return.
* The Trojans punted only once and did not allow a sack.
* Louisiana did not record a first down in the first quarter. USC possessed the ball for 11:01 and outgained the Ragin' Cajuns by 132 yards during the period.
* USC is outscoring its opponents 86 to 10 in the first half of games so far in 2026.
* USC is third in the nation and leads the Big Ten in third down conversion percentage (0.694).
* USC is No. 5 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in completion percentage (0.806).
* USC leads the nation in first downs offense with 81.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT USC
* Robert Griffin III, FOX Sports CFB Analyst - "USC is a National Championship Contender."
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 returns the nation's best quarterback in redshirt senior Jayden Maiava.
* Maiava has picked right back up where he left off – dazzling in the Coliseum.
* Maiava went 19-of-29 for 261 yards with a career-high 5 TDs and 1 INT against Louisiana.
* He posted a 191.1 passing efficiency rating while averaging 9.0 yards per attempt and 13.7 yards per completion.
* On third-down pass plays, Maiava completed 8-of-11 attempts for 129 yards and 4 TDs, with all 8 completions moving the chains or reaching the end zone.
* Maiava's performance helped USC produce 483 yards of offense, earn 25 first downs, convert 73.3% of its third downs and score TDs on all 4 of its red-zone opportunities.
* Maiava leads the nation in passing yards (896), passing TDs (10) and points responsible for (66).
* Maiava is No. 5 in the nation with a 91.0 QBR.
* Maiava's opening three-game stretch compares favorably with the greatest quarterbacks in USC history. Through three games, Maiava has produced more passing yards and passing TDs than Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Caleb Williams did through the same point of their Heisman Trophy-winning seasons. Maiava's 80.7 completion percentage and 208.8 passing efficiency rating are also the best among the group, while his 10 passing TDs are 2 more than Williams, 3 more than Leinart and 7 more than Palmer recorded during their respective three-game starts.
* Comparison table (Quarterback / Season / Record / Comp.-Att. / Pct. / Pass Yards / YPA / Pass TD / INT / Efficiency): Jayden Maiava, 2026, 3-0, 67-83, 80.7, 896, 10.8, 10, 1, 208.8. Caleb Williams, 2022, 3-0, 80-86, 74.4, 874, 10.2, 8, 0, 190.5. Matt Leinart, 2004, 3-0, 61-94, 64.9, 739, 7.9, 7, 0, 153.9. Carson Palmer, 2002, 2-1, 63-108, 58.3, 732, 6.8, 3, 2, 120.7.
* Maiava makes his throws count. He is No. 1 among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 11.3 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams sits at No. 2 with 9.2 yards per attempt, Matt Leinart is third with 8.6 and Sam Darnold holds the No. 4 spot with 8.5 yards per attempt.
* He is currently 11th on USC's career total offense leader board with 5,999 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 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 recently 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."
* 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."
MAKING HIS MARK
* Freshman TE Mark Bowman recorded 6 receptions for 83 yards (13.8 avg.).
* This marks the most receiving yards by a tight end in a single game since Anthony McCoy recorded 153 yards against Notre Dame in 2009.
* Bowman scored twice for the Trojans, marking the first 2 touchdowns of his USC career.
* The last tight end to score 2 TDs for the Trojans in a single game was Josh Falo on Oct. 15, 2022 in a 42-43 loss to Utah.
* This is the second week in a row that a freshman has scored 2 receiving TDs in a single game for the Trojans.
* With 1 minute remaining in the first quarter, Bowman made a SportsCenter-worthy highlight as he hauled in a pass from Maiava over the middle, turned upfield and spectacularly hurdled two Louisiana defenders in a single bound. Bowman landed on his feet and powered ahead for nine more yards, completing a 35-yard reception that moved USC from its own 41-yard line to the Louisiana 24.
* Per PFF, Bowman recorded a 90.3 offense grade (second in the Power Four & first in the Big Ten among TEs) and a 90.8 receiving grade (third in the Power Four & first in the Big Ten among TEs).
* Bowman was named to the PFF Week 2 Big Ten Team of the Week.
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."
THERE MOSLEY GOES AGAIN
* Freshman WR/RET Trent Mosley continues to impress the college football world.
* In another spectacular showing, Mosley scored a TD on an 86-yard punt return with 1:24 left in the first half.
* The last Trojan to return a punt for a TD was Zachariah Branch when he returned a 75-yarder against Stanford on Sept. 9, 2023.
* This also marked the longest punt return by a Trojan since Nelson Agholor returned a 93-yarder for a TD against California in 2013.
* Mosley continued to impress as he opened the second half with a TD on a 21-yard acrobatic reception.
* This marked Mosley's second TD of the game, his fourth receiving TD as a Trojan, and his third-straight game with a receiving TD.
* Prior to Mosley, just five Big Ten freshmen have caught a TD pass in each of their first 3 career games since 2000: Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State, 2024), Jackson Anthrop (Purdue, 2017), Ted Bolser (Indiana, 2010), Deon Butler (Penn State, 2005) and James Hardy (Indiana, 2005).
* The last Trojan to record a receiving TD and return a punt for a TD in a single game was Tyler Vaughns against Arizona State in 2018. Vaughns caught a 48-yard TD pass from QB Jack Sears and returned a 82-yard punt for a TD.
* Mosley is No. 4 in the nation and second in the Big Ten in total TDs (5).
* He is No. 5 in the nation and second in the Big Ten in punt return TDs (1) and total points scored (30). He is No. 5 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten in receiving TDs (4).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MOSLEY
* 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?"
CATCHING FIRE
* The USC aerial attack continues to be dominant with a wide variety of players making an impact on the field.
* Freshman WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt caught 3 passes for 43 yards and his second TD of the season.
* WR Zacharyus Williams' only reception was a 44-yard TD, the first TD of his USC career.
* Williams' 44-yard TD came on third-and-14 and was USC's longest offensive play of the game.
* TE Tucker Ashcraft's first USC reception was a 12-yard conversion on fourth-and-3.
* USC's tight ends combined for 7 receptions, 95 yards and 2 TDs.
* USC generated 117 yards after the catch, representing 43.5% of its 269 passing yards.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT DIXON-WYATT
* Travis May, Editor of A to Z Sports NFL – "Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is a true freshman WR playing like a pro already"
* John Frascella, NFL Insider – "Meet Kayden Dixon-Wyatt… new USC stud wide receiver. Simply… electric"
* Bussin' With The Boys – "Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is UNREAL"
BACKS IN BUSINESS
* RB King Miller rushed for a game-high 128 yards and 1 TD on 18 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt.
* Miller produced five runs of at least 10 yards, including a game-long 29-yard run.
* Miller surpassed 100 yards for the first time in 2026 and recorded USC's first individual 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
* Miller was named to the PFF Week 2 Big Ten Team of the Week.
* RB Waymond Jordan added 47 yards on 10 carries and caught 1 pass for 5 yards, giving him 52 yards from scrimmage.
* RB Shahn Alston averaged 6.8 yards per carry, gaining 34 yards on 5 attempts with a long of 15.
* USC's three primary running backs combined for 209 yards and 1 TD on 33 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt.
* USC head coach Lincoln Riley is 45-3 when his teams rush for 200 yards or more.
PROTECTION PERFECTION
* The Trojan offensive line kept QB Jayden Maiava clean throughout the game, with 6 offensive linemen playing at least 30 snaps and earning PFF grades of 70.0 or better.
* They also powered a rushing attack in which RB King Miller averaged 7.1 yards per carry and Waymond Jordan averaged 4.7 yards per carry.
* USC's offensive line did not allow a sack on 31 team pass attempts.
* The offensive line helped USC convert 11-of-15 third downs and its only fourth-down attempt.
* The entire offensive line earned PFF Week 2 National Offensive Line of the Week.
* OL Elijah Paige and OL Hayden Treter earned placement on the PFF Week 2 National Team of the Week, while Paige, Treter and OL Tobias Raymond were named to the PFF Week 2 Big Ten Team of the Week.
* Per PFF, Treter earned a 91.4 run block grade (first in the Power Four and first among Big Ten offensive guards).
* Per PFF, Paige earned a 90.6 offense grade (first in the Power Four and first among Big Ten offensive tackles).
* OL Tobias Raymond has now started in every position on the offensive line except right guard. The last offensive lineman to play in four different positions on the line for the Trojans was Jonah Monheim (every position except left tackle).
FOURTH DOWN DEFENSE
* USC is tied to lead the nation in fourth down conversion defense, not allowing a single team to convert a fourth down in 2026.
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
* USC freshman DE Luke Wafle delivered a disruptive, highly active performance in the Trojans' 49-30 victory over Louisiana.
* Wafle led USC with a career-high 7 tackles, including a game-high 6 solo stops and 1.0 tackle for loss.
* Despite lining up along the defensive front, he finished as the Trojans' leading tackler and recorded a tackle on seven of Louisiana's 52 offensive plays.
* Wafle consistently defeated blocks and affected plays at or near the line of scrimmage.
* His first-quarter tackle for loss dropped Louisiana RB Steven Blanco for a one-yard loss and helped force a three-and-out immediately after USC took its first lead.
* Six of Wafle's seven tackles came against the run, and four of his five solo run stops limited Louisiana to two yards or fewer.
* Wafle's combination of penetration, pursuit and tackling allowed the freshman to impact the game well beyond his official stat sheet total.
* Wafle became the first USC defensive lineman to lead the team outright in tackles in a game since Tuli Tuipulotu recorded 7 against Stanford in 2021.
* Wafle has been USC's best-graded defender, per PFF, in two of USC's three games this season.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT WAFLE
* 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."
FRONT-LINE FORCE
* DT Jide Abasiri tied for second on the team with a career-high 5 tackles, including 3 solo stops.
* Abasiri was named to the PFF Week 2 Big Ten Team of the Week.
* DE Zuriah Fisher recorded USC's only sack, dropping Louisiana QB Lunch Winfield for a 4-yard loss.
* Fisher's sack also produced the game's only forced fumble.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ABASIRI
* Aaron Taylor, College Football Analyst - "DL97 Jide Abasiri and DE94 Luke Wafle are gonna be a problem for people this year."
DEFENSE BY THE NUMBERS
* LB Deven Bryant recorded a career-high 5 tackles, all solo.
* LB Desman Stephens II added 5 tackles, including 3 solo stops.
* S Christian Pierce recorded 3 tackles, while LB Jadyn Walker also finished with 3.
* CB Jontez Williams recorded USC's only pass breakup.
* The Trojans did not allow a completion longer than 37 yards.
* USC held Louisiana to 16 completions and 8 passing first downs.
SPECIALISTS AT WORK
* K Caden Chittenden converted all 7 PAT attempts.
* K Ryon Sayeri recorded 4 touchbacks on 8 kickoffs.
* In the third quarter, P Lachlan Carrigan booted a 50-yard punt, the longest of his Trojan career, and the only punt of the game.
RANKINGS
* USC is ranked 12th in the AP Poll and No. 11 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
* Rutgers is not ranked in either poll.
SERIES
* USC is 1-0 all-time against Rutgers.
IN SEPTEMBER
* USC has a 204-57-8 (.773) all-time record while playing in the month of September (does not include 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 207-57-8, .776).
ON TURF
* USC is 53-44-1 in its last 98 games on artificial turf (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 56-44-1).
NEW JERSEY TROJANS
* In USC's history, just 15 football lettermen claim New Jersey as their hometown and attended school in the state before coming to Troy: RG Al Bansavage, 1959 (Union City, N.J./Union City HS/The Citadel); RT Earl Audet, 1943 (Seton Hall, N.J./Seton Hall HS); LB Brian Cushing, 2005-08 (Park Ridge, N.J./Bergen Catholic HS); NG-DT Rich Dimler, 1975-78 (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne HS); CB-TB Charles Hinton, 1971-72 (East Orange, N.J./East Orange HS/Arizona Western College); WR Dwayne Jarrett, 2004-06 (New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick HS); S Jeff Maree, 1985-87 (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex HS/Long Beach CC); RB Brandon Outlaw, 2022 (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown HS/Virginia); S Antwine Perez, 2006 (Westville Grove, N.J./Woodrow Wilson HS); ILB Anthony Sarao, 2012-15 (Atlantic City, N.J./Holy Spirit HS); DE Luke Wafle, 2026 (Middletown, N.J./The Hun School of Princeton); FL Lonnie White, 1985-86 (South Belmar, N.J./Asbury Park HS); WR Timmy White, 1980-82 (South Belmar, N.J./Asbury Park HS); ILB Richard Wood, 1972-74 (Elizabeth, N.J./Jefferson HS); and PK Don Zachik, 1959-60 (Linden, N.J./Linden HS).
RUTGERS CONNECTIONS
* USC has one player from the state of New Jersey (DE Luke Wafle), while Rutgers does not have any players from the state of California.
* USC S Alex Graham, USC WR Terrell Anderson and Rutgers LB MJ Johnson are all from Detroit, Mich.
* USC WR Tanook Hines, USC DE Jadyn Ramos and Rutgers LB Ty Morris are all from Houston, Texas.
* USC WR Tanook Hines and Rutgers LB Ty Morris both prepped at Andy Dekaney HS in Houston, Texas.
* USC WR Romero Ison, Rutgers WR Vernon Allen III, Rutgers TE Jackson Gister and Rutgers DL Joshua Blackston are all from Baltimore, Md.
* USC RB Tyson Park, USC OL Breck Kolojay, USC OL Keenyi Pepe and Rutgers DB Tyler Childress all prepped at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
* USC P Lachlan Carrigan and Rutgers P Jakob Anderson are both from Melbourne, Australia.
* USC DT Floyd Boucard, Rutgers RB Antwan Raymond and Rutgers DL Farell Gnago are all from Montreal, Quebec.
* USC DE Luke Wafle and Rutgers LS Michael O'Connor are both from Middletown, N.J.
* USC DE Luke Wafle, Rutgers TE Logan Blake, Rutgers LB John Insinga and Rutgers LB Kamar Archie all prepped at The Hun School of Princeton in Princeton, N.J.
* USC Associate Athletic Director of Football Equipment Cecelia Snipes served in a similar role at Temple from 2014-2016 at the same time as Rutgers Associate Offensive Coordinator / Running Backs Coach Damiere Shaw was a student assistant and then a wide receivers graduate assistant at Temple.
* USC Offensive Line Coach / Run Game Coordinator Zach Hanson played for Kansas State in 2008 while Rutgers Wide Receivers Coach Dave Brock was the offensive coordinator/wide receivers for the Wildcats.
* USC Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance Caesar Martinez held a similar position at Rutgers in 2018.
* USC Director of Recruiting Weston Zernechel served as Assistant Director of Player Personnel at Ohio State from 2017-18, while Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano served as Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Safeties at Ohio State. Concurrently, Rutgers Senior Defensive Assistant Bob Fraser also served at Ohio State as a quality control assistant and Rutgers Compliance Assistant Jordan Welch was an assistant compliance director at Ohio State.
* USC Women's Volleyball Director of Operations Julian Welsh White served as a volunteer assistant coach in 2017 at South Carolina while Rutgers Director of Integrating High-Performance Chas Dodd served as a strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina.
* USC Track and Field Assistant Coach for Sprints and Hurdles Brenton Emmanuel served in a similar role at Nebraska while Rutgers Assistant Wrestling Coach Mikey Labriola wrestled for Nebraska from 2019-21.
* USC Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen served as athletic director at Washington while Rutgers Assistant Director of Communications Griffin Whitmer served in a similar communications role at Washington from 2020-22.
RUTGERS SCOUTING REPORT
* Rutgers enters Big Ten play 0-2 after losses to UMass (37-21) and Boston College (28-21).
* The Scarlet Knights have been undermined by turnovers, protection issues and a defense allowing 399.5 yards and 32.5 points per game.
* QB AJ Surace started against Boston College after replacing an injured Dylan Lonergan in the opener.
* Surace completed 18-of-27 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns against BC but also threw four interceptions.
* Rutgers has thrown seven interceptions and lost one fumble through two games.
* WR KJ Duff is the clear centerpiece, totaling 17 receptions for 333 yards and five touchdowns.
* He has accounted for 61% of the team's receiving yards and five of its six touchdowns.
* RB Antwan Raymond, a 1,241-yard rusher in 2025, rebounded from a 42-yard opener with 134 yards against BC.
* Rutgers has yet to score a rushing touchdown and has allowed eight sacks.
* The Scarlet Knights have struggled to control the line of scrimmage, allowing 175.0 rushing yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry.
* Opponents are completing 72.5% of their passes while averaging 6.4 yards per play.
* Rutgers has recorded only one sack and six tackles for loss.
* DB Chris Joines and DB Jesse Ofurie share the team lead with 12 tackles, while LB Moses Walker produced two interceptions and Rutgers' lone sack at Boston College.
* P Jakob Anderson is averaging 44.0 yards on five punts, with one placed inside the 20.
* Rutgers has not attempted a field goal, while opponents are 5-for-5.
* WR/RET Quentin Redding has returned two punts for 24 yards.
