The USC offense didn’t quite deliver the fireworks some were expecting against San Jose State, but there was still plenty to like about the way the Trojans opened the season. Jayden Maiava handled the operation smoothly, a number of young playmakers made strong first impressions, and the group came away from Game 1 looking dangerous even without hitting every target.
Maiava was the clearest sign that USC’s offense can still hum. The expectation was that he would open hot after a strong year 1, and while the game plan was slower and more vanilla early on, he still delivered a very strong showing.
He didn’t clear 300 passing yards, but his performance still fit the profile of a Heisman candidate, with his leadership standing out throughout the game. For a veteran quarterback in a season opener, that was about as steady as it gets.
The backfield was a little less clean at the top than anticipated. King Miller was expected to push for a 100-yard day and help sort out the pecking order at running back, but early on it looked like Waymond Jordan might be the lead option.
As the game wore on, Miller settled in and grew more comfortable. He finished with 63 rushing yards and a touchdown, falling short of the century mark but still turning in a solid opener.
At receiver, one of the biggest expected focal points never materialized because Tanook Hines did not suit up. That opened the door for the freshman wideouts to get valuable snaps and much-needed reps. It wasn’t the exact receiving workload that had been projected, but it did give USC a chance to test some young talent in live action.
There was also a chance for Jonas Williams to get his first taste of game action, and that happened too. The freshman quarterback saw the field, threw a bad interception, and still managed to impress in just about every other way. He guided a scoring drive in the fourth quarter and showed off his mobility, giving USC a useful glimpse of what he can bring as he gets acclimated.
The only prediction that came up short in the final tally was the score. USC was projected to reach 50 points, and the offense finished with 46 instead.
Even so, the group looked explosive, and the youth movement around Maiava was encouraging. The Trojans didn’t fully hit the ceiling that was forecast, but they still left Game 1 with a lot of positive signs.
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The matchup should tell plenty about where the Trojans are on the line of scrimmage, especially against a front that has made life hard on the run game. Fresno State went 9-0 last season when it kept opponents under 140 rushing yards, and linebacker Tytus Khajavi is expected to be one of the key players helping set the tone. Against a USC offense that wants to establish itself early, that kind of resistance can reveal a lot quickly. [Read more 🡒]
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USC Already Has One Clear Strength And One Growing Concern
USCs season opener against San Jose State offered an early look at what this roster might already do well, and which parts still need work. Jayden Maiava handled his first game of the year with plenty of positives, while defensive tackle Jide Abasiri also stood out in a performance that gave the Trojans something to build on. There were encouraging contributions, too, from wide receiver Trent Mosley and running back King Miller, suggesting the offense has multiple pieces ready to matter right away.
The concern showed up on the other side of the ball, where the secondary and some individual defenders had a rougher time keeping things clean. Kam Crawford was among the players who struggled, and that mattered because USCs defense is still trying to sort out its identity as the schedule moves forward. One game does not settle the bigger picture, but it did give the Trojans a pretty clear snapshot of where the strength is and where the questions are likely to linger. [Read more 🡒]