Jayden Maiava Throws Five Touchdowns as USC Defeats Louisiana 49-30
Updated: 39 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES — USC closed out its nonconference schedule with another victory Saturday night, defeating Louisiana 49-30 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum behind a career night from quarterback Jayden Maiava. The win moved the No. 14 Trojans to 3-0 on the season.
Louisiana created an early opportunity when Avery Demery intercepted Maiava on USC’s opening possession. The Ragin’ Cajuns turned the takeaway into a 47-yard field goal, taking a 3-0 lead before the Trojans settled into the game.
USC responded with freshman tight end Mark Bowman. Maiava found Bowman for a five-yard touchdown late in the first quarter before connecting with him again from nine yards out early in the second. Bowman finished with six receptions for 83 yards and the first two touchdowns of his USC career.
Louisiana cut the deficit to 14-10 midway through the second quarter, but USC quickly regained control. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt caught a deflected Maiava pass for a 19-yard touchdown before Trent Mosley delivered one of the biggest plays of the night, breaking multiple tackles on an 86-yard punt return touchdown.
The return gave USC a 28-10 halftime advantage and provided another showcase for a freshman class that has already become an important part of Lincoln Riley’s offense.
Mosley struck again in the third quarter, this time catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from Maiava to extend the lead to 35-10. Louisiana responded behind quarterback Lunch Winfield, whose ability to create plays both through the air and on the ground kept the Ragin’ Cajuns within reach.
USC’s offense continued to answer. Early in the fourth quarter, Maiava connected with Zacharyus Williams for a 44-yard touchdown, Williams’ first career score as a Trojan. King Miller later added a 12-yard rushing touchdown after Louisiana had cut the deficit to 42-23.
Maiava finished 19-of-29 for 261 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes, with his first interception of the season coming on the opening possession. USC also found consistent production on the ground, with Miller rushing for 128 yards on 18 carries.
Louisiana refused to disappear late. Winfield finished with 212 passing yards and 91 rushing yards while accounting for three touchdowns. The Ragin’ Cajuns scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, but every time they began to close the gap, USC’s offense responded.
For the Trojans, the night highlighted the growing impact of their young offensive talent. Bowman scored twice, Dixon-Wyatt found the end zone, Mosley contributed touchdowns on offense and special teams, and Williams recorded his first USC touchdown.
The performance was not flawless. USC allowed Louisiana to produce 358 yards of offense and 20 second-half points, while the Trojans committed eight penalties for 78 yards. Still, USC produced enough explosive plays to maintain control and finish its three-game nonconference stretch undefeated.
With the 49-30 victory, USC improved to 3-0 before turning its attention to Big Ten play. The Trojans would next travel to Rutgers for their first conference matchup of the season.
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