LOS ANGELES CA– A new college football season kicked off in explosive fashion at the LA Memorial Coliseum, where USC flexed its depth, talent, and offensive firepower in a 73–13 rout over Missouri State. What was supposed to be a warm welcome for Missouri State’s debut as an FBS program quickly turned into a Trojans showcase — and a reminder why USC is a team to watch this fall.
Sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava looked in midseason form, completing 15-of-18 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score of his own. Backing him up, true freshman Husan Longstreet didn’t miss a beat — finishing a perfect 9-for-9 through the air for 69 yards, throwing one touchdown and rushing for two more.
It wasn’t just the quarterbacks. USC’s skill players showed their explosiveness on every touch. King Miller led the ground game with 80 yards on just four carries, highlighted by a lightning-quick 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. In total, the Trojans rolled up 597 total yards, 27 first downs, and scored touchdowns on 10 of their drives.
Defensively, USC dominated the line of scrimmage and forced three turnovers, including two sacks by Braylon Shelby and a pick-six from Brenden Fitzgerald. The unit held Missouri State to just 224 yards, including only 77 on the ground.
The only blemish? A slow start, where Missouri State jumped to a brief 3-0 lead after a 44-yard field goal. But USC quickly erased that with a 28-point second quarter and never looked back.
Five years ago, this game was originally scheduled as a high-profile clash with Ole Miss and former USC coach Lane Kiffin. That matchup fell through, but Saturday’s game still delivered a spectacle — just one that was thoroughly one-sided.
With a 1-0 start and both quarterbacks looking sharp, the Trojans now turn their attention to next week’s matchup, eyeing a spot in the national conversation once again.
USC is back — and they’re not easing into 2025.
