USC Trojans defeat San José State 42-26 in season-opening home win

Jayden Maiava threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another as No. 14 USC opened its 2026 campaign with a 42-26 victory over the Spartans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Trojans rolled out of the United Airlines Field at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Saturday with a 42-26 triumph over San José State, marking a confident start to a season that begins with lofty playoff aspirations. Quarter-by-quarter scoring showed USC building a 35-3 lead by the end of the third period, only to watch the Spartans claw back 23 points in the final quarter. The win improves USC’s record to 1-0 while the Spartans fall to 0-1, extending the Trojans’ perfect 6-0 all-time edge over San José State in Coliseum meetings.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava was the engine of the offense, completing 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdown throws, then adding a one-yard rushing score on the opening drive. Freshman running back King Miller contributed 63 rushing yards and a touchdown, while tight end Trent Mosley hauled in seven receptions for 118 yards and a score. San José State’s Luke Weaver answered with 234 passing yards and two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, but the late surge was insufficient to overturn the early deficit.

USC’s first-quarter drive set the tone, with Maiava scrambling for a one-yard touchdown that put the Trojans ahead 7-0. The momentum continued as Riley Wormley punched in a five-yard run in the second quarter, followed by a Maiava-to-Kayden Dixon-Wyatt connection that stretched the lead to 21-0. King Miller’s four-yard rush before halftime capped a 28-0 advantage, a lead reflected in the box score’s 7-21-7-7 quarter breakdown for USC versus San José State’s 0-0-3-23 (see USC Athletics).

Statistically, the Trojans outgained the Spartans 341 to 234 total yards, with a balanced attack that saw 102 rushing yards paired with 234 passing yards. Maiava’s efficiency, 25 completions on 29 attempts, kept the ball moving, while the offensive line limited penalties to a single 15-yard infraction, a stark contrast to San José State’s five penalties for 34 yards. The Trojans also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 22:45 compared with the Spartans’ 37:15, a figure that underscores the early control USC exercised before the fourth-quarter rally.

Beyond the headline numbers, several newcomers made their mark. Trent Mosley’s 118 receiving yards and a touchdown highlighted the tight end’s emergence as a reliable target in Lincoln Riley’s scheme. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Gary Patterson’s unit forced three turnovers, including a key interception by freshman Jonas Williams that halted a late SJS drive. The Trojans’ defensive line, despite missing All-American defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart and projected starters Tanook Hines and Terrell Anderson, limited the Spartans to just 26 points and forced two of their three fourth-quarter scores.

The fourth quarter belonged to San José State, which scored 23 unanswered points to narrow the margin. Weaver’s 28-yard strike to Jerry McClure and a subsequent two-point conversion, followed by a three-yard pass to Jordan Anderson, sparked the comeback. He also added a rushing touchdown on an eight-yard run, showcasing the Spartans’ resilience after a sluggish start. However, USC’s defense held firm enough to prevent a full comeback, with the Trojans’ backup unit allowing only a single additional score after the 35-3 lead was established.

The win arrives amid notable absences for USC. Star defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, wide receivers Tanook Hines and transfer Terrell Anderson were sidelined, yet the Trojans still displayed depth across the roster. The loss of former All-America receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane to the NFL was also felt, but the performance of Mosley, Dixon-Wyatt, and the emerging freshman quarterback Jonas Williams, who saw 55 passing yards and an interception in limited action, suggests the Trojans have viable replacements ready for the grind ahead (see ESPN).

Looking forward, USC returns to the Coliseum next week to host Fresno State on September 4, a matchup that will test whether the early offensive rhythm can be sustained against a tougher conference opponent. The Trojans’ 42-26 opening victory, combined with a balanced attack and a defense that performed admirably despite missing key players, positions them as a serious contender in the Pac-12 and a potential College Football Playoff participant. For Los Angeles fans, the game reinforced the Coliseum’s status as a premier venue for high-stakes college football.

The Coliseum’s home-opener showcases why USC football remains a cultural anchor for Angelenos. A dominant first three quarters gave fans a glimpse of a high-octane offense that could keep the Trojans in the national conversation, while the late Spartan rally reminded us that every game will test depth and resilience. With the city’s sports calendar already buzzing around the upcoming LA28 branding rollout, this win adds momentum to a season that could define the next era of Los Angeles college football.