No. 14 USC pummels Fresno State, secures a shutout victory

The sun hadn’t even set yet over the Coliseum, and already Trent Mosley had broken free, with nary a defender within 15 yards on either side.

It was the start of the second quarter on Friday night, when USC quarterback Jayden Maiava spotted his budding star freshman soaring on a slot post through the wide-open center of the field. And a split-second later the crowd saw it, too — their quiet rumbles rising to a thrilling roar, as if they knew what was coming next.

One ankle-twisting stutter-step is all it took for the true freshman to take off, once again. And it didn’t take much after that for USC to stick a fork in Fresno State.

But while Mosley captivated once again and Maiava came alive, it was Gary Patterson and the Trojans’ defense that really twisted the knife in a dominant 39-0 win for USC.

No. 14 USC 39, Fresno State 0, end of fourth quarter

Fresno State started on its 25 after a touchback.

Andrew Chavez ran for three yards and Rayshon Luke ran for eight yards. Luke ran for one yard and Jayden Mandel ran for 11 yards to the Fresno State 48.

Tariq Thomas ran for nine yards. Mandal passed to Harold Duvall for 17 yards to the USC 26.

The two-minute warning was triggered.

On first down at the USC 26, Mandal passed Duvall for 17 yards. Mandal ran for a four-yard loss. Mandal passed to Jayon Farrar for five yards.

Mandal tossed an incomplete pass and was sacked for a loss of seven yards on fourth down, triggering a celebration on the USC’s sideline as the Trojans secured a shutout.

It was a massive step forward after giving up three fourth-quarter touchdowns last season.

USC took a knee to run out the clock on a win.

No. 14 USC 39, Fresno State 0, 5:52 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 21.

Jonas Williams passed to Corey Simms for a 34-yard gain.

Shahn Alston ran for four yards and Fresno State’s Kogan Goodspeed was injured after tackling Alston.

Alston ran for three yards. Williams passed to Riley Wormley for seven yards. Wormley ran for four yards. Deshonne Redeaux ran for two yards. Williams passed to Zacharyus Williams for seven yards, moving the ball to the Fresno State 18.

Alston ran for 10 yards and another three yards.

On second-and-goal at the Fresno State five, Lincoln Riley called timeout.

Redeaux took a pitch and out-ran the Fresno State defense along the left sideline.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 32, Fresno State 0, 12:33 left in the fourth quarter

Fresno State started on its 20 after the USC punt.

Luke Rayshon ran for three yards. Jayden Mandal ran two yards and tossed an incomplete pass, but USC was called for holding.

Julius Gillikc ran for two yards before Mandal tossed two incomplete passes.

On fourth-and-eight at the Fresno State 37, the Bulldogs punted. Zachaaryus Williams returned it five yards to the Trojans’ 21.

No. 14 USC 32, Fresno State 0, end of third quarter

Deshonne Redeaux returned the kickoff for no gain after bobbling the ball.

Jayden Maiava was examined by athletic trainers after getting tackled on a run play and favoring his shoulder. He was replaced by Jonas Williams in he lineup with the win clearly in hand.

Waymond Jordan took an option toss from Williams for a 15 yards. Jordan then ran for 13 yards and one more yard to the USC 50-yard line.

Williams passed to Zacharyus Williams for 11 yards. King Miller was stuffed in the backfield for a five-yard loss. Williams passed to Miller for no gain.

Williams passed to Carson Tabaracci for four yards.

On fourth-and-11 at the Fresno State 40, USC was called for a false start and time expired in the third quarter.

Deshonne Redeaux returned the kickoff for no gain after bobbling the ball.

Jayden Maiava was examined by athletic trainers after getting tackled on a run play and favoring his shoulder. He was replaced by Jonas Williams in he lineup with the win clearly in hand.

Waymond Jordan took an option toss from Williams for a 15 yards. Jordan then ran for 13 yards and one more yard to the USC 50-yard line.

Williams passed to Zacharyus Williams for 11 yards. King Miller was stuffed in the backfield for a five-yard loss. Williams passed to Miller for no gain.

Williams passed to Carson Tabaracci for four yards.

On fourth-and-11 at the Fresno State 40, USC was called for a false start and time expired in the third quarter.

No. 14 USC 32, Fresno State 0, 5:15 left in the third quarter

Forcing turnovers in its red zone has not worked out well for Fresno State.

USC started on its 10-yard line after punt-return penalty.

King Miller ran for a one-yard loss. Jayden Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 30 yards. Miller ran for four yards. Maiava passed to Miller for six yards, moving the ball to the USC 49.

Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Taniela Tupou. It was Maiava’s second incomplete pass of the game. Maiava passed to Tanook Hines for 10 yards.

Maiava passed to Walter Matthews for 12 yards.

Fresno State jumped offsides, so Maiava took a shot down field to Boobie Feaster that was intercepted by Kiontre Harris and returned 78 yards before Waymond Jordan tackled the Bulldog and officials overturned the play.

On first-and-5 at the Fresno State 24, Miller ran for no gain. Miller ran for one yard. Maiava then passed to Feaster for four yards.

Jordan ran for 13 yards to the Fresno State 6.

Maiava faked a handoff and was tackled for a four-yard loss as he rolled to the right.

Maiava then passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, but Fresno State forced another fumble and the Bulldogs recovered at their seven-yard line.

Alex Graham immediately sacked Fresno State quarterback Jayden Mandal for another safety.

No. 14 USC 30, Fresno State 0, 13:19 left in the third quarter

Fresno State started on its 35 after the touchback.

Bryson Donelson ran for four yards and then one yard. Jayden Mandal tossed an incomplete pass and Fresno State punted.

Trent Mosley returned the punt for a loss of three yards and USC was called for a block in the back, pushing the Trojans back to their 10-yard line.

No. 14 USC 30, Fresno State 0, halftime

Fresno State started on its 25-yard line after a touchback and took a knee to run out the clock on a first half that USC dominated.

Jayden Maiava was 17 of 18 passing for 284 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Trent Mosley has four catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

But most important, the USC defense has shut down Fresno State’s offense, limiting the Bulldogs to 51 yards of total offense. Kennedy Urlacher has four tackles for a loss, two sacks, one safety and one forced fumble. Prophet Brown hauled in an interception.

No. 14 USC 30, Fresno State 0, 17 seconds left in the second quarter

USC faced second-and-one at the Fresno State 29 after the first half two-minute timeout.

King Miller ran for five yards and then for another two yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 20-yards, moving the ball to the Fresno State two-yard line.

Waymond Jordan ran for a two-yard touchdown and Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 23, Fresno State 0, 2:00 left in the second quarter

Fresno State started on its 19 after the kickoff return.

Jayden Mandal tossed an incomplete pass, but USC was called for roughing the passer.

Julius Gillick ran for four yards and three yards. On third-and-three, Mandal was sacked by Kennedy Urlacher and USC’s Floyd Boucard recovered Mandal’s fumble at the Fresno State 38.

King Miller ran for nine yards before the two-minute timeout was triggered.

No. 14 USC 23, Fresno State 0, 4:02 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 35 after a kickoff return.

Jayden Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for 22 yards. Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for in yards. Waymond Jordan ran for nine yards and another 16 yards to the Fresno State nine-yard line.

Maiava passed to Trent Mosley, who weaved through a few defenders for a nine-yard touchdown. Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

Mosley, a freshman, has quickly emerged as a top target for Maiava and has his second touchdown catch this game.

No. 14 USC 16, Fresno State 0, 7:03 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 45 after a punt return.

Jayden Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams for 23 yards. King Miller then ran for 10 yards. Ryan Wilson was injured on the run play.

Miller ran for four yards. Maiava passed to Trent Mosley for five yards. Jordan ran for no gain. On fourth-and-one at the Fresno State 13, Maiava was stuffed for no gain and turned the ball over on downs.

USC’s defense immediately pounced on the opportunity to push the Bulldogs backward.

Rayshon Luke ran for a loss of two yards and Jayden Mandal was sacked for a loss of 10 yards and called for intentional grounding on the play.

On third-and-22 at the Fresno State 1, Mandal was sacked by Kennedy Urlacher for a safety.

No. 14 USC 14, Fresno State 0, 11:04 left in the second quarter

Fresno State started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Mandal passed to Rayshon Luke for seven yards. Bryson Donelson ran to the right for no gain. On third-and-three, Mandal tossed an incomplete pass.

Clay Lawrence punted 42 yards and Trent Mosley returned it 19 yards to the USC 45.

No. 14 USC 14, Fresno State 0, 12:27 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 17 after a Fresno State punt.

King Miller ran for three yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for 10 yards. Miller ran for two more yards.

And Maiava passed deep to Trent Mosley, who made a few moves to score a 68-yard touchdown.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 7, Fresno State 0, 14:19 left in the second quarter

Fresno State started the second quarter on three-and-three at the USC 39.

Khristian Martin ran for two yards. On fourth-and-one at the USC 37, Fresno State was called for false start.

Clay Lawrence punted 25 yards to the USC 17.

No. 14 USC 7, Fresno State 0, end of first quarter

Fresno State started on its 43-yard line after Waymond Jordan’s fumble.

Bryson Donelson ran for five yards and Rayshon Luke ran for two yards before time expired in the first quarter.

No. 14 USC 7, Fresno State 0, 2:33 left in first quarter

USC started on its 15 after the Trojan’s defense snagged an interception.

King Miller ran for nine yards, but it was erased by an illegal shift penalty.

Miller ran for four yards, then Jayden Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for 15 yards.

Miller ran for seven yards and Maiava passed to Corey Simms for 11 yards.

Maiava passed to Jordan for 10 yards, but Dylan Hampsten forced Jordan to fumble and the ball was recovered by Fresno State’s Tytus Khajavi at the Bulldog’s 43.

No. 14 USC 7, Fresno State 0, 5:28 left in first quarter

Fresno State started on its 20-yard line after a kickoff return.

Jayden Mandal tossed an incomplete pass, then Rayshon Luke ran for tow yards. Mandal passed to Jahlil McClain for 13 yards. Bryson Donelson ran for no gain before Mandal passed to Gavin Correia for 12 yards.

Luke ran for one yard and six yards. On third-and-three at USC 46, Mandal heaved a pass deep and it was intercepted by Prophet Brown at the USC 15-yard line.

No. 14 USC 7, Fresno State 0, 9:27 left in first quarter

USC started on its 18 after a kickoff return,

Waymond Jordan ran for a one yard loss and then ran for a two-yard gain. Jayden Maiava then passed for nine yards.

Maiava passed to Jordan for two yards and to Tron Baker for 27 yards. Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for five yards. King Miller ran for no gain and Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. On fourth-and-five at the Fresno State 38, Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 31 yards.

Maiava ran for tow yards and Jordan ran for a loss of three yards before Maiava passed to Tanook Hines for an eight-yard touchdown. It is Hines’ first game of this season after he missed the opener.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 14 USC 0, Fresno State 0, 14:56 left in the first quarter

Fresno State won the coin flip and elected to defer.

Deshonne Redeaux returned the opening kickoff 18 yards to the USC 18.

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where we’re still sweating from the Week Zero heat wave at the Coliseum. USC dominated San José State for most of its season opener Saturday, only to come unglued a bit in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t the most reassuring debut for the Trojans. But there were also glimpses of a team with plenty of potential.

There’s a lot to unpack from our first look at USC this season. So let’s empty the notebook with some of our first impressions from the Trojans’ opening week win.

After sparse attendance during USC’s season-opening win over San José State turned the Trojans into a national punchline during the weekend, USC coach Lincoln Riley responded Tuesday, dismissing what he called a “false narrative” being spread about the program in recent days.

“I think that comes from a lot of people who don’t follow our program, most of those who have never stepped foot in the Coliseum,” Riley said. “The reality is, during my years here, attendance has gone up every single year. As has our play in the Coliseum, including running the table last year in front of a lot of epic atmospheres. And I expect that to happen again this year.”

Average attendance for USC football games at the Coliseum actually dropped from the 2024 to the 2025 season, from an average of 71,571 to 67,783. But the 2025 season also featured fewer marquee home matchups, plus one game soaked by heavy rain (Iowa), and it was still the second-best average attendance of Riley’s four seasons as coach.

Saturday, though, marked the smallest home crowd at USC since late in the 2018 season, when the Trojans had their worst finish for the program in a quarter century, under former coach Clay Helton.

From behind his new desk, on the top floor of USC’s shining, new Bloom Football Performance Center, Lincoln Riley can gaze out upon a stunning view of the downtown L.A. skyline. It’s a nice perk when rounding out a $200-million facility.

And especially welcomed given that three-quarters of USC’s previous football home, the John McKay Center, could be classified as “subterranean.” But as Riley considers how far he’s come these past five years and how far USC has come in the meantime, the metaphor is just as meaningful to USC’s coach as the cityscape.

This view, this office, this program, really — it was all just a hypothetical when Riley accepted the USC job in November 2021. The wunderkind coach knew he was inheriting a football program in a years-long slump. What he couldn’t grasp was how far it actually fell. And what it would take to drag it back. He’d never even been on USC’s campus.

How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat? How can you compete for championships if you don’t have a championship defense?

Sorry folks, but rules are rules.

USC just keeps trying to bend them. Trying to break them. As if universal laws don’t apply to the Trojans.

In each of Lincoln Riley’s four seasons at the helm here, he’s trotted out impressive offenses and unimpressive defenses and — surprise, surprise — gotten the same result each time: something short of the College Football Playoff.

Riley’s teams have averaged more yards per play in his tenure than any other team in the nation.

A quartet of freshman pass-catchers trotted onto the Coliseum field around noon Saturday, taking their places to either flank of USC’s far-older quarterback. None of the four — Trent Mosley, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt Tron Baker and Mark Bowman — had played in a college football game. But the significance of their presence, on the first play of the first week of an especially critical campaign for No. 14 USC and its coach, Lincoln Riley, was no small thing.

This USC season, if only by sheer numbers, is sure to be defined by how fast its freshmen can grow up, which, after Saturday’s season-opening, 42-26 win over San José State, might not sound so bad after all.

“It certainly wasn’t flawless,” Riley said, “but it was pretty damn good.”