After closing the 2024 season 7–6 with a 35–31 win over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl, the USC Trojans (1–0, 0–0 Big Ten) opened their 2025 season Saturday, August 30 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against Missouri State (0–1, 0–0 Conference USA).
For the Trojans, who entered unranked in the Preseason AP Poll for the first time since 2019, the matchup doubled as a chance to reset under head coach Lincoln Riley, who is now 9–0 in career season openers. The Bears, meanwhile, made history as they played their first ever game as an FBS program after moving up from the Missouri Valley Football Conference this summer.
USC fans expect a lot from redshirt junior quarterback Jayden Maiava, who went 3–1 as a starter late last season, along with a dangerous receiving duo in junior receivers Makai Lemon (team-leading 764 yards, All-Big Ten return man) and Ja’Kobi Lane (12 touchdown catches, Las Vegas Bowl MVP).
Missouri State brings back standout senior quarterback Jacob Clark, who threw for 3,604 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2024, and junior wide receiver Jmariyae Robinson, who averaged 15.4 yards per reception as a freshman. On the other side of the ball, senior defensive lineman Davon Townley Jr. and All-MVFC junior center Cash Hudson provide experience in the trenches, while sophomore kicker Yousef Obeid enters after a Freshman All-American season.
Throughout the offseason the Trojans worked to reshape their skills on both sides of the ball. “Big Ten depth” was a phrase that defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn mentioned during fall camp. Last season, the first Big Ten season for the Trojans, lack of depth was something that caused the defense several faults.
That depth was visible early. Defenders like sophomore linebacker Desman Stephens II, junior safety Christian Pierce, redshirt senior cornerback DJ Harvey, and sophomore defensive end Kameryn Fountain set the tone as the Trojans swarmed Clark and forced quick stops. Even as Missouri State managed an early field goal, USC’s offense wasted no time responding.
Junior running back Waymond Jordan, nicknamed the “Junkyard Dog,” scored the first touchdown of the night, a 5-yard run into the endzone that followed a 26-yard burst. The Hutchinson Community College transfer and former NJCAA Player of the Year showed he belonged immediately, finishing the game with a performance that made clear he’ll be a key piece of USC’s rotation this season.
“It felt good to score my first touchdown in the Coliseum,” Jordan said. “I seen my pop from the stands… then my teammates celebrating with me, it was just amazing.”
The backfield continued to shine as the night went on. Redshirt senior Eli Sanders broke loose for a 73-yard touchdown, while sophomore Bryan Jackson and redshirt freshman King Miller added scores of their own. In total, the running backs accounted for four of USC’s touchdowns.
Quarterback play was another highlight of the night. Maiava started the game and accounted for three touchdowns, including one he ran in himself. Questions about his ability to lead as a starter were answered early, as he consistently delivered accurate passes to multiple receivers and demonstrated poise under pressure.
With the game well in hand, true freshman Husan Longstreet took over under center after halftime. In his career debut, Longstreet showcased the dual-threat ability that made him one of USC’s most anticipated recruits, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for another.
“I thought they were both pretty good,” head coach Lincoln Riley said postgame. “Jayden laid the blueprint with how he played in the first half, and Husan was pretty steady… good start for him.”
On defense, redshirt freshman cornerback Marcelles Williams and sophomore defensive tackle Jide Abasiri each made their presence felt, while junior defensive end Braylan Shelby recorded multiple sacks. Redshirt junior defensive end Garrett Pomerantz sealed the performance with an interception late in the game.
By the final whistle, nine different Trojans had scored touchdowns, a balance Riley called “really healthy for the team.” The 73 points marked USC’s highest-scoring opener in recent history and underscored the roster depth Riley has been building since joining the Big Ten.
For Missouri State, Clark managed a 33-yard touchdown strike to freshman wideout Tristan Gardner, but otherwise spent the night under heavy pressure from USC’s front. The Bears added a pair of field goals, but could not keep up with the Trojans’ offensive pace.
For a program that lost key names like wide receiver Zachariah Branch (now at Georgia) and running back Woody Marks (now with the Houston Texans), the opener was a reassurance that new playmakers are ready to step in. With Jordan and Longstreet leading the headlines, USC showcased both its experience and its youth.
The Trojans return to the Coliseum next Saturday, Sep. 6, to face Georgia Southern at 4:30 p.m. With their dominant opener setting the tone, they’ll look to carry that momentum into another win.