USC heads into Saturday’s trip to Penn State with a familiar face on the other sideline, and Jayden Maiava knows exactly what kind of challenge is waiting.
The No. 19 Trojans are walking into the White Out at Beaver Stadium, where Penn State defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will be calling the shots against his former team. Lynn spent two seasons as USC’s defensive coordinator after previously holding the same job at UCLA before returning to his alma mater to work for new Penn State coach Matt Campbell.
Maiava, who spent his first two years in the program while Lynn was there, said Tuesday that the matchup carries a little extra familiarity but not much extra sentiment.
"Great coach. Great environment we're about to play in.
We're just super excited to go compete our butts off. Obviously he was here my first two years, which was huge, but I mean, anything happens in this game.
So I think we're just ready to go out there and compete," Maiava said.
When asked what stands out about a defense run by Lynn, Maiava pointed to the whole structure, especially the back end and the line up front.
"I'd probably say how he gets the guys ready in the back end. They got a really good front, really good secondary. I think just a great opportunity for the guys up front, the guys in the receiver room, just to go out there and play Trojan football," said Maiava.
USC’s protection has been one of the quieter strengths of the offense so far. The Trojans have given up just 6.0 sacks and 17.0 tackles for loss in 2026, numbers that could make life difficult for a Penn State pass rush that has only 7.0 sacks, good for No. 96 nationally.
The White Out crowd is another part of the equation, and USC has been working to get ready for it. The Bloom Football Performance Center now gives the team a way to simulate noise, but Maiava said the bigger issue is mental.
"We got a pretty cool sound system here, but I think biggest thing is playing as one. Obviously being on the same page is really huge, and kind of have that same mentality to go in and play fast," Maiava said.
USC’s receiver situation is still something to watch, with Corey Simms, Trent Mosley and tight end Mark Bowman dealing with injuries. Even with that uncertainty, Maiava said the offense has stayed on track because of the depth behind them.
"Coach Simmons just does such a great job getting the other guys ready. You know, next man up mentality. We're all bought into the same thing and the common goal that we wanna go just win," said Maiava.
Maiava also made clear he wasn’t satisfied with what he put on tape against Washington. He threw for 245 yards, completed 21 of 34 passes and finished with one touchdown and one interception.
"Definitely wasn't happy with my performance. Got to play better," said Maiava.
USC and Penn State are set for a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 10.
In Other News...
Penn State Faces Two Big Concerns Before White Out Vs USC
Penn State spent part of the week clearing the air before a White Out showdown with USC, and the messaging from the podium was pointed enough to show where the pressure points are. A press conference with head coach Matt Campbell, defensive coordinator DAnton Lynn, quarterback Rocco Becht, offensive guard Cooper Cousins and linebacker Cael Brezina gave the usual game-week mix of injury updates and self-scouting, with receiver Koby Howards status drawing attention as the Nittany Lions continue to manage their depth.
Just as notable was the tone around the offense and defense after the Northwestern game, where the conversation turned to quarterback play, overall offensive struggles and what this teams identity needs to look like going forward. On the other side of the ball, the defense is still sorting through challenges that were exposed in that recent trip, and with USC coming into a White Out atmosphere, Penn State does not have much margin for lingering issues to linger much longer. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State White Out Just Became A Snapshot Of This Teams Pressure
The White Out is still one of the biggest scenes in college football, but this years version at Beaver Stadium is carrying an unusual edge. Resale prices have dropped sharply in recent days, reflecting how quickly the mood has shifted around Penn State after an 0-2 start in Big Ten play and a pair of recent losses. What is usually a premium ticket has become a barometer for the pressure building around a team that entered the season with much different expectations.
Matt Campbell acknowledged the struggle and said the focus has to be on growth and improvement, even as the program leans on the same fan base that has made the White Out a signature event. The contrast is hard to miss: a national showcase still capable of drawing attention, paired with a season that suddenly feels more fragile than it did a few weeks ago. How Penn State responds on that stage will say a lot about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Alumni Are Making Early NFL Noise For Multiple Teams
Penn States NFL footprint was hard to miss in the latest round of games, with several former Nittany Lions turning up in key moments for their new teams. Jahan Dotson found the end zone for the Atlanta Falcons, Pat Freiermuth hauled in a touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Gesicki scored for the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the program another reminder that its alumni keep showing up on Sundays.
The defense joined the party, too, as Odafe Oweh delivered a sack and forced fumble for the Washington Commanders. Tyler Warren emerged as one of the Indianapolis Colts top targets, while Theo Johnson added a touchdown for the New York Giants, a spread of production that reflects how widely Penn State talent is already being trusted across the league. [Read more 🡒]