USC left the Fresno State game with a lot more to like than to worry about, even if the Trojans still weren’t close to a flawless performance. There are real concerns with Oregon still on the horizon, but this was also the kind of night that showed progress in multiple spots across the roster.
The biggest spark came from freshman receiver Trent Mosley, who earned an A-plus after another eye-opening performance. He looks like a superstar in the making, and through two games he has already established himself as USC’s best receiver. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt wasn’t far behind, drawing an A of his own and giving the Trojans a promising freshman one-two punch at the position.
Jayden Maiava also took a clear step forward. After the 25 of 29 line against San Jose State looked better than the actual performance, his 23 of 25 against Fresno State matched what he put on the field. He was sharp, accurate, and in control all night, showing the kind of quarterback play USC expects from him.
Up front on defense, Jide Abasiri made his presence felt with an A-grade outing. He was a force in the trenches and helped create USC’s two safeties.
Kennedy Urlacher also stood out, earning an A after being used aggressively by Gary Patterson in blitz packages that produced both a safety and a sack-fumble. Patterson’s overall night was an easy A as well, capped by a shutout and a postgame celebration with his players that showed how much they trust him.
The wide receiver room as a whole got an A, with Dennis Simmons getting credit for developing real depth. That’s especially notable with Terrell Anderson out and Tanook Hines still working back from injury. USC still has room to grow there, but the early returns are strong.
The defensive line earned an A-minus, with the caveat that Fresno State’s offensive line may not be especially strong. Even so, a good front is supposed to overwhelm a weak one, and USC did that well despite not having Jahkeem Stewart available.
The linebackers checked in at B-plus, looking more organized and less physically overmatched than they were in 2025. Mike Ekeler’s work is showing up.
The secondary made a noticeable jump from last week and got a B, though the level of opposition matters here because Fresno State’s receivers did not look especially dangerous. Still, USC was better, and that counts.
The run game didn’t pop the way the Trojans would have hoped. The running backs received a B-minus, with no real explosive plays yet.
Part of that, though, traces back to an offensive line that came in at a surprising C-minus. Fresno State’s defensive front hit USC early, and the Trojans struggled to create consistent push in the run game.
Pass protection held up, but the run blocking was below the standard USC needs, and Zach Hanson has work to do before Oregon.
Lincoln Riley got a B-plus for the night, with the main criticism being the decision to have Jayden Maiava carrying the ball with a 30-point lead. What the heck was that?
In Other News...
Maiava Just Gave USC Fans A Real Heisman Conversation
Week 1 gave USC exactly the kind of early jolt it needed, and Jayden Maiava was right in the middle of it. Among a slate of eye-catching opening performances around college football, his showing for the Trojans stood out enough to push his name into a much bigger conversation than just a strong start for one quarterback.
For USC fans, that matters because the Heisman race can feel like it starts before most seasons really settle in, and Maiava has at least put himself on the board. There is a long way to go, of course, and plenty of other early stars to compare him against, but after opening weekend he is no longer just part of the backdrop of the national conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Maiava Is Raising USCs Ceiling Faster Than Anyone Expected
Jayden Maiava has barely had time to settle into USCs offense, and already he looks like the kind of quarterback who can change the math around the Trojans season. Through the first two games, he has been sharp and decisive, and his performance against Fresno State was especially eye-opening, with 23 completions on 25 attempts for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Lincoln Riley has noticed, too, praising Maiavas understanding of the offense and the arm talent that makes the whole system look like it has another gear.
For USC, the encouraging part is not just the production, but how quickly it has arrived. FanDuel Sportsbook now lists Maiava with the 10th-best Heisman Trophy odds, a reflection of how fast his name has moved into the national conversation. The Trojans still have a long season ahead, but if this is the baseline, the bigger question is no longer whether Maiava can manage the job. It is how high he might push USC if this level keeps up. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Enters A Season That Could Change Everything At USC
Lincoln Riley is heading into a season at USC with the kind of pressure that comes with expectations, especially after the move into the Big Ten raised the stakes around every game. Analyst Paul Finebaum recently pointed to Riley as one of the coaches who could do a lot for his standing this fall, and much of that hinges on the same formula that has long defined his best teams: a quarterback who can tilt games and an offense that keeps USC in the conversation.
Jayden Maiava has become part of that discussion after arriving from UNLV and showing well enough to give the Trojans real hope at the most important position. Even so, USCs path is about more than offense. The Big Ten has no shortage of physical tests, and Rileys team will need its defense to hold up if this season is going to look less like another reset and more like the one that changes the tenor of his tenure. [Read more 🡒]