No. 14 USC Football Wraps Up Nonconference Play With Inaugural Matchup Versus Louisiana

Saturday, September 12

Los Angeles, Calif.

8:00 p.m.

USC

Louisiana

Tickets From $50 - $300

Photo by: John McGillen

No. 14 USC Football Wraps Up Nonconference Play With Inaugural Matchup Versus Louisiana

September 07, 2026 | Football

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FROM LAFAYETTE TO LA

* USC wraps up nonconference play and the team's three-game homestand with a matchup against Louisiana.

* The Ragin' Cajuns, led by head coach Michael Desormeaux, will be a new opponent for the Trojans.

* USC is 2-0 against teams from the Sun Belt Conference, last defeating Georgia Southern on Sept. 6, 2025, in the Coliseum.

* Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. PT on Big Ten Network.

FRIDAY NIGHT SHUTOUT

* The Trojans secured a statement win with a 39-0 shutout of Fresno State under the Friday night lights.

* USC opens the 2026 season 2-0.

* The 39-0 win marks USC's first shutout since defeating Utah State 48-0 in 2024. It was USC's second shutout under Lincoln Riley.

* Riley is 26-0 when allowing 15 points or less, and 43-0 when allowing 20 points or less.

* Riley is also 22-1 when allowing 300 or less total yards.

* USC held its opponent to zero points in the first half in back-to-back games to open the 2026 season. This is the first time the Trojans have held their opponent scoreless in the first half in back-to-back games since the 2009 season. On Sept. 26, the Trojans shut out Washington State in the first half of play, and on Oct. 3, they also shut out California in the first half.

* Fresno State was held scoreless in a game for the first time since the team lost to San Diego State 0-23 on Oct. 25, 2025.

* USC is the first FBS team since at least 1996 to throw for 400 yards and complete at least 93% of its passes.

* USC had 13 different players catch a pass.

* Five different Trojans recorded a reception of at least 20 yards.

* USC outgained Fresno State 552-116, a margin of 436 yards.

* The Trojans possessed the ball for 38:52, including 13:15 of the third quarter.

THROUGH TWO GAMES

* USC has outscored its opponents 58-0 in the first half, including a 44-0 advantage in the second quarter.

* USC has more than doubled its opponents' offensive production, outgaining them 1,057-452. The Trojans are averaging 528.5 yards per game while allowing just 226.0.

* USC has completed 59-of-67 passes (88.1%) for 753 yards and 5 TDs.

* The Trojans are averaging 376.5 passing yards per game, compared with 155.5 by their opponents.

* USC has produced twice as many first downs as its opponents, holding a 56-28 advantage.

* The Trojans have converted 14-of-21 third downs (66.7%), while limiting opponents to 7-of-21 (33.3%).

* USC has possessed the ball for an average of 38:03 per game, more than 16 minutes longer than its opponents' average of 21:56.

* USC has scored TDs on 10 of its 13 red-zone trips. All 10 of its red-zone scores have been TDs; the Trojans have not attempted a field goal.

* USC leads the nation in first downs offense (56) and completion percentage (0.881).

* USC leads the Big Ten in third down conversion percentage (0.667) and fewest penalties (5).

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.

* In USC's 39-0 shutout of Fresno State, Maiava went 23-of-25 (.920) for 349 yards and 3 TDs.

* Maiava's 92.0% completion percentage is the highest single-game completion percentage by a USC quarterback since at least 1995 (minimum 25 attempts). He broke the mark he set last week against San José State (86.2% going 25-of-29).

* His 92.0% completion percentage was just three percentage points shy of USC's single-game record for a passer with at least 15 completions: Matt Barkley's 19-of-20 performance (.950) against Colorado in 2012.

* Maiava completed 17-of-18 passes for 284 yards and 3 TDs in the first half.

* He was a perfect 8-for-8 for 166 yards and 2 TDs in the second quarter.

* Maiava had a stretch of 15 straight completions. The last time a USC quarterback had 15+ consecutive completions in a single game prior to Saturday was 17 by former Trojan and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams on Sept. 30, 2023 at Colorado in a 48-41 win. Last week against San José State, Maiava had a stretch of 14-straight completions.

* Maiava was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Fresno State.

* Through two games, Maiava has completed 48-of-54 passes (.889) for 635 yards, 5 TDs and no interceptions.

* Maiava has thrown only six incompletions in two games.

* The 68-yard TD throw from Maiava to WR Trent Mosley was his longest completion and TD toss since Sept. 6, 2025 against Georgia Southern when he completed a 74-yard TD pass.

* Maiava makes his throws count. He is No. 2 among USC career leaders in yards per attempt with 8.9 (min. 500 attempts at USC). He's in good company in the stat – Caleb Williams leads 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 12th on USC's career total offense leader board with 5,738 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.

* Maiava leads the nation with 635 passing yards.

* He is No. 3 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in passing TDs (5) and points responsible for (36).

* Maiava is No. 5 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in completion percentage (0.889).

* 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 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."

CATCHING FIRE

* Freshman WR Trent Mosley recorded 4 receptions for 104 yards (26.0 avg.) and 2 TDs in USC's 39-0 shutout of Fresno State.

* Mosley's 68-yard TD with 12:27 left in the second quarter pushed the Trojans ahead 14-0.

* Mosley's 68-yard touchdown reception was USC's longest play of the game.

* Mosley scored a second TD on a 9-yard pass from Maiava with 4:07 left in the second quarter.

* Mosley is the first USC freshman with 100+ yards in consecutive games since former Trojan WR Drake London accomplished the feat in 2019 (in a win over Cal; 6 rec. for 111 yards and a win over UCLA; 8 rec. for 142 yards).

* Mosley is No. 2 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (222) and receiving TDs (3).

* He is No. 4 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in total TDs with 3.

* Mosley is No. 5 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in total points scored (18).

* Fellow freshman WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt led the Trojans in receptions with 6 and notched 102 receiving yards (17.0 avg.).

* This is the first time that two freshmen receivers have recorded 100+ yards in the same game since records available in 1973.

* It also marked the first time USC had two 100-yard receivers in one game since Mario Williams recorded 145 yards and Jordan Addison had 106 against Utah on Oct. 15, 2022.

* Freshman TE Mark Bowman tallied a career-high of 30 receiving yards.

* Back from injury, WR Tanook Hines' first reception of the season in the first quarter resulted in an 8-yard TD. This marked Hines' third career touchdown as a Trojan.

* TE Walter Matthews, with his 6-6, 305-pound frame, showed off his hands as he made his first catch as a Trojan with a 12-yard reception.

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."

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"

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."

BACKS IN BUSINESS

* RB Waymond Jordan led the Trojans with 11 carries for 67 rushing yards (6.1 avg.) and 1 TD.

* Freshman RB Deshonne Redeaux scored his first career TD as a Trojan on a 5-yard rush.

PROTECTION PERFECTION

* The Trojans do return LT Elijah Paige, LG Tobias Raymond (All-Big Ten Honorable Mention), RG Alani Noa (All-Big Ten Honorable Mention) and RT Justin Tauanuu (All-Big Ten Honorable Mention).

* Between those four, after Saturday, the offensive line now boasts 77 career starts, and the 2025 line allowed just one sack per game last season.

* 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).

* USC's offensive line kept the pocket clean throughout the Trojans' victory over Fresno State, allowing zero sacks on 31 pass attempts.

* Behind the unit, USC's quarterbacks completed 29-of-31 passes (.935) for 412 yards and 3 TDs, while the offense accumulated 552 total yards and averaged 8.1 yards per play.

* The Trojans recorded 27 first downs and controlled the ball for 38:52, including 20:45 in the second half.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

* USC's defense held Fresno State to 116 yards of total offense. That is the fewest total yards allowed since USC held Notre Dame to 91 total yards on Nov. 29, 2008.

* The Trojans allowed only 39 rushing yards on 29 attempts, an average of 1.3 yards per carry against Fresno State.

* Fresno State completed only 7 passes, recorded 9 first downs and averaged just 2.6 yards per play.

* USC's 412 passing yards alone were nearly four times Fresno State's total offensive output.

* The Trojans recorded 5 sacks for 28 yards and 7 tackles for loss totaling 34 yards.

* Fresno State did not produce a play longer than 17 yards.

* Fresno State was 0-for-3 on third down in the second half and 0-for-1 on fourth down.

* The Bulldogs reached the red zone only once, advancing to the USC 8-yard line on their final possession before being stopped on downs.

* Fresno State possessed the ball for only 1:45 in the third quarter, compared with USC's 13:15.

* Four different Trojans recorded at least one sack: S Kennedy Urlacher, S Alex Graham, DE Jadyn Ramos and DT Jide Abasiri.

THROUGH TWO GAMES

* Through two games, USC has allowed just 141 rushing yards on 53 attempts through two games, an average of 70.5 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry.

* No opposing player has rushed for more than 42 yards against the Trojans this season.

* The Trojans are allowing 226.0 total yards per game through two contests, nearly 125 fewer than their 2025 full-season average of 350.8.

* USC's current 226.0-yard total-defense average is also better than its full-season averages in 2024 (377.1), 2023 (432.8) and 2022 (423.9).

* The Trojans have forced opponents to punt eight times while punting only twice themselves.

* Outside of the fourth quarter versus San José State, USC has allowed just 7 points across seven quarters.

* USC's opponents have converted just 7-of-21 third-down attempts (.333) and scored touchdowns on only 2-of-5 red-zone opportunities (.400).

* USC has allowed only four plays of 20-plus yards this season.

* USC leads the Big Ten in fumbles recovered (1).

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."

TWICE AS SAFE

* In USC's 39-0 shutout of Fresno State, S Kennedy Urlacher led the Trojans with 2 sacks for minus 4 yards, marking a single-game career high. He finished the game with 3 total tackles, a safety (the first of his Trojan career) and a forced fumble (the first of his Trojan career).

* With 7:09 left in the second quarter, Urlacher forced a safety. This was the first Trojan safety since Sept. 20, 2019 when OLB Drake Jackson forced an intentional grounding in the endzone against Utah.

* It was the first of two safeties on the night as S Alex Graham also recorded a safety.

* This is the first time since records available in 1971 that the Trojans recorded two safeties in a single game.

* The last time Fresno State surrendered two safeties in a game was against Oregon State on Nov. 11, 1999.

* The Trojan defense stepped up when it needed to. Both safeties came immediately after USC failed to score in the red zone:

* USC was stopped on downs at the Fresno State 13 before Urlacher's safety.

* USC lost a fumble at the Fresno State 7 before Graham recorded a safety on the Bulldogs' next snap.

* S Prophet Brown secured the first turnover of USC's 2026 campaign. With 5:28 left in the first quarter, Brown intercepted Fresno State QB Jayden Mandal. This marked his first career interception.

* Graham and LB Deven Bryant led the Trojans with 4 tackles each. Graham recorded 1.5 tackles for loss of 8 yards (with one sack for minus 7 yards) and 1 QB hurry.

FRONT-LINE FORCE

* Though he only recorded one tackle, DT Jide Abasiri's impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. His penetration and disruption was the catalyst for several of the big plays made by the Trojan defense.

* Freshman DE Luke Wafle continues to impress with his physicality. He recorded 2 tackles against the Bulldogs.

* DT Floyd Boucard recorded his first career fumble recovery against Fresno State.

* Fresno State reached the USC 8-yard line on its final possession, but USC DE Jadyn Ramos recorded a sack on fourth-and-goal to preserve the shutout. Ramos finished with 3 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.

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."

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."

SPECIAL TEAMS

* The Trojans have not allowed a punt-return yard this season, while averaging 15.4 yards on their own five punt returns.

* K Caden Chittenden was 5-of-5 on extra points.

* USC leads the Big Ten in punt return defense (0).

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. 8.

* USC is ranked T14 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

* Louisiana is not ranked in either poll.

SERIES

* USC and Louisiana have not previously played.

IN SEPTEMBER

* USC has a 203-57-8 (.772) all-time record while playing in the month of September (does not include 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 206-57-8, .775).

IN THE COLISEUM

* USC is 479-151-27 (.750) in the Coliseum, not including 6 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 6-0 in 2005 and 485-151-27, .752 in the Coliseum).

COUNTING AT THE COLI

* Entering the 2026 season, USC's 663 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 736 in Bobby Dodd Stadium and Tennessee's 665 in Neyland Stadium.

LOUISIANA CONNECTIONS

* USC WR Ethan "Boobie" Feaster, Louisiana S Kody Jackson, Louisiana CB Jeremiah Moses and Louisiana LB Patrick Gosslee are all from Shreveport, La.

* USC DT Jahkeem Stewart and Louisiana WR Rahji Dennis both prepped at Edna Karr HS in New Orleans, La.

* USC DE Kameryn Crawford and Louisiana DL Ashton Wright are both from Mobile, Ala.

* USC QB Sam Huard, USC LB Deven Bryant and Louisiana CB Curley Reed III all previously played at Washington.

* USC WR Tanook Hines, USC DE Jadyn Ramos, Louisiana OLB AJ Spencer, Louisiana DE Chase Edwards, Louisiana TE Emiliano Soldevilla, Louisiana OL Jakoby Isom and Louisiana OL Xavier Waters are all from Houston, Texas.

* USC RB Tyson Park, USC OL Breck Kolojay, USC OL Keenyi Pepe and Louisiana TE Teddy Gawlik all prepped at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.