USC didn’t just beat Fresno State in Game 2 - it looked cleaner, sharper and far more complete than it did a week earlier. The Trojans took what worked in the opener, turned it up, and cut down on a lot of the mistakes on both sides of the ball. The result was a strong all-around showing, with Jayden Maiava leading the charge and Jide Abasiri continuing to build a serious early-season case for himself.
Maiava was the headline act. After opening the year by managing the offense and working within Lincoln Riley’s game plan, he was given more freedom in Game 2 and made the most of it.
He played with clear confidence, stayed efficient and decisive, and avoided the kinds of costly errors that showed up at times last season. Through two weeks, he looks like a quarterback who has taken a real step forward and is ready to stack up with the top passers in the Big Ten Conference.
One of the biggest reasons Maiava has looked so comfortable is the growing connection with freshman receiver Trent Mosley. For two straight games, when USC needed a spark, Maiava found Mosley.
The freshman has already become the quarterback’s preferred target, and it’s easy to see why: he catches everything, and when the two connect, big gains tend to follow. The chemistry between them already looks special, and both players still seem to be only scratching the surface.
USC’s young skill talent also appears to be coming along quickly. In Game 1, the freshmen needed some time to settle in and get on the same page with Maiava.
Against Fresno State, they looked ready right away. Mark Bowman was more involved, and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Mosley both flashed like elite receivers.
Even with Tanook Hines back, those two looked like the best wideouts on the field. On the other side, Luke Wafle kept finding ways to make his presence felt.
That kind of early development is exactly what USC wants to see.
The passing game, in particular, looked dangerous. Maiava finished with what felt like an easy 349 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the offense kept humming while working against a solid defense.
That matters because games against teams like Ohio State and Oregon are going to demand a passing attack that can carry the load. After this performance, USC has reason to believe it has that kind of firepower.
Defensively, Abasiri has been the standout through two games. He has been disruptive from the jump, using twitch and power to wreck opposing game plans.
His breakout has been one of the most encouraging developments so far, and if this level of play continues, he’ll force his way into the All-Big Ten conversation. More importantly for USC, he gives the defense something it will need in the Big Ten: physicality.
Abasiri has already become the tone-setter for that unit, and he’s given the Trojans a new kind of confidence on that side of the ball.
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 🡒]