USC dominates Clay Helton’s homecoming, rolls to a win over Georgia Southern

USC 59, Georgia Southern 20, end of the fourth quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 10 after a USC punt.

Jamarian Samuel ran for 15 yards before the two-minute warning was triggered. Turner Helton tossed an incomplete pass. Samuel then ran for 36 yards. Helton passed to Dylan Gary for five yards. Turner tossed an incomplete pass. Samuel ran for two yards.

USC was called for pass interference on Helton’s deep pass with 30 seconds remaining. Lincoln Riley questioned the call.

On first down at the USC 19 with 26 seconds left, Helton tossed an incomplete pass. Samuel ran for five yards. On third-and-five at the USC 14 with 20 seconds left, Georgia Southern called timeout.

Helton rolled to his right and eventually threw the ball away.

On fourth-and-five at the USC 14, Helton passed to Carmelo Mays five yards and the first down, but time expired on the drive.

USC 59, Georgia Southern 20, 2:24 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 10.

Husan Longstreet passed to DJ Jordan for five yards. Longstreet tossed an incomplete pass before passing to Tanook Hines for seven yards. Harry Dalton III ran for six yards. Longstreet passed to Jordan for 14 yards.

On first down at the USC 42, Longstreet passed to Hines for eight yards. King Miller then ran for 12 yards. Dalton ran for another eight yards, but USC was called for holding.

On first-and-20 at the Georgia Southern 48, Longstreet ran for six yards. Henry then ran for a three-yard loss. On third-and-17, Longstreet rolled away from pressure and had to throw the ball out of bounds.

Sam Johnson punted to the Georgia Southern 10.

USC 59, Georgia Southern 20, 8:40 left in the fourth quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25.

Turner Helton, the head coach’s son took over at quarterback. Helton passed for 11 yards before tossing a pass for three yards and carrying the ball for another three. Turner tossed an incomplete pass on third down at the Georgia Southern 42 and the Eagles punted to the USC 10.

USC 59, Georgia Southern 20, 12:05 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 36 after the punt.

Husan Longstreet took over at quarterback for the Trojans, marking the second game USC had a big enough lead to give the reserves quality time on the field.

King Miller ran for two yards. Then Harry Dalton III ran for 21 yards. King Miller then ran for a 41-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point, but USC was called for false start and the ball moved five yards back. Sayeri hit the extra point again at the longer distance.

USC 52, Georgia Southern 20, 12:05 left in the fourth quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the touchback.

David Mbadinga ran fo a one-yard loss. JC French IV tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-11 at the Georgia Southern 24, French tossed another incomplete pass.

Georgia Southern punted to USC’s 36.

USC 52, Georgia Southern 20, 12:55 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 21 after Eli Sanders returned the kickoff 14 yards.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass before connecting with DJ Jordan for a nine-yard pass. On third-and-one at the USC 30, Waymond Jordan ran for 35 yards and time expired in the third quarter.

On first down at the Georgia Southern 35, Eli Sanders ran for one yard. Maiava passed to Walker Lyons for 26 yards. Maiava ran for three yards. And Sanders ran for a five-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 45, Georgia Southern 20, 1:34 left in the third quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 19 after a short kickoff return.

JC French IV passed for a four-yard loss. French then passed to Marcus Sanders Jr. for 13 yards. On fourth-and-one, French ran for two yards.

David Mbadinga ran for two yards. French ran for seven yards. On third-and-one, Mbadinga ran for two yards. French then tossed two incomplete passes. French passed to Dalen Cobb for 14 yards and a first down, moving the ball to the USC 34.

Mbadinga for two yards. French tossed a 19-yard pass to Camden Brown, moving the ball to the USC 13.

French tossed an incomplete pass before connecting with Cobb for a 13-yard touchdown. Georgia Southern hit the extra point.

USC 45, Georgia Southern 13, 7:58 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 28.

Eli Sanders ran for five yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams for 61 yards. Sanders ran for four yards to the Georgia Southern 2.

After an Eagles timeout, Maiava tossed an incomplete pass but Georgia Southern was called for holding. Sanders ran for one-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 38, Georgia Southern 13, 9:55 left in the second quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25.

JC French IV tossed an incomplete pass, OJ Arnold ran for two yards and French tossed another incomplete pass.

Georgia Southern punted to the USC 28.

USC 38, Georgia Southern 13, 10:49 left in the second quarter

USC started on its 29.

Waymond Jordan ran for 12 yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Lake McRee for 12 yards. Jordan ran for six yards. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-four at the Georgia Southern 41, Jordan ran for five yards.

Jordan capped the drive with a 36-yard touchdown run.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 31, Georgia Southern 13, 13:12 left in the second quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the USC touchback.

OJ Arnold ran for no gain yards. JC French IV passed to Arnold for one yard. French passed to Dalen Cobb for four yards.

And Alex Smith punted to the USC 29.

USC 31, Georgia Southern 13, end of second quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 19 after the punt.

David Mbadinga ran for two yards. OJ Arnold ran for no gain, but USC was called for illegal use of the hands and gave up a first down.

Mbadinga ran for five yards as time expired in the second quarter.

USC 31, Georgia Southern 13, 46 seconds left in second quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the touchback.

OJ Arnold ran for 13 yards. JC French IV passed to Ahmon Green for six yards. Arnold ran for eight yards.

On first down at the USC 48, French was sacked for a loss of three yards before triggering the two-minute warning.

French tossed an incomplete pass and was then sacked for a loss of 12 yards.

USC called timeout with 1:40 remaining.

On fourth-and-25 at the Georgia Southern 37, Alex Smith punted to the USC 32.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass, Eli Sanders ran for two yards. On third-and-eight, Maiava tossed another incomplete pass.

On fourth-and-eight at the USC 34 with 51 seconds left in the second quarter, USC punted.

Georgia Southern briefly fumbled the punt but recovered and the ball was downed at the Eagles’ 19.

USC 31, Georgia Southern 13, 3:31 left in second quarter

USC started on its 23 after the fourth-down stop.

Jayden Maiava stayed in a collapsing pocket and passed to Lake McRee across the middle for 22 yards. Eli Sanders ran for 15 yards. Maiava passed to Ja’Kobi Lane for 26 yards, attempting to jump over a Georgia Southern player on the play. Eagle Prince Green was injured on the play, stopping the clock at 3:49 and giving USC time to huddle.

Maiava faked a handoff and then passed to Walker Lyons for a 14-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 24, Georgia Southern 13, 5:26 left in second quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the touchback.

J.C. French IV passed to the left sideline, but his receiver was out of bounds. OJ Arnold ran for 10 yards. French then tossed a screen pass to Dalen Cobb for 17 yards. French passed to Ahmon Green for 17 yards to the USC 31.

Delan Cobb took a lateral pass and was dropped for a loss of four yards. French passed to Cobb for seven yards. On third-and-seven, French ran for five yards.

On fourth-and-two at the USC 23, Georgia Southern called timeout.

French was under pressure and tossed the ball behind Arnold, who could not pull in the pass.

USC took over at its 23.

USC 24, Georgia Southern 13, 8:52 left in second quarter

Makai Lemon returned the kickoff 21 yards to the USC 26 and appeared to have hurt his ankle on the play.

Waymond Jordan ran for six yards. Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. Maiava passed deep to Ja’Kobi Lane for 53 yards to the Georgia Southern 15. The Eagles were called for pass interference but lobbied for the penalty to be called on the Trojans.

Jordan for five yards. Maiava faked the handoff and ran for two yards. Maiava tossed the ball out of the end zone to avoid a sack.

Ryon Sayeri hit the 26-yard field goal to extend USC’s lead.

USC 21, Georgia Southern 13, 11:32 left in second quarter

USC punted to the Georgia Southern 25.

JC French IV passed for five yards. Terrance Gibbs ran for three yards. On third-and-two, David Mbadinga ran for five yards.

Mbadinga ran for five yards and USC was called for illegal use of the hands and loss of 15 yards.

Mbadinga ran for a yard before French passed to a wide open Camden Brown for a 24-yard touchdown.

Tripp Bryant hit the extra point.

USC 21, Georgia Southern 6, end of first quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the touchback.

JC French IV tossed an incomplete pass. French then passed for an 11-yard gain.

Eric Gentry was called for illegal use of hands on the next play.

On first down at the USC 45, French’s pass was intercepted by DeCarlos Nicholson.

USC took over on its 15.

Eli Sanders ran to the left for 19 yards. Jayden Maiava tossed his first incomplete pass across the middle. Maiava passed to Eli Sanders for a loss of five. On third-and-15, Maiava tossed an incomplete pass as time expired in the first quarter.

USC 21, Georgia Southern 6, 2:14 left in first quarter

USC started on its 15.

Waymond Jordan ran for seven yards and then another four yards.

Georgia Southern’s Brandon Tyson was injured on the play.

Jayden Maiava then passed to Makai Lemon, who broke through the defense for a 74-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 14, Georgia Southern 6, 3:17 left in first quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the touchback.

JC French IV ran up the middle for four yards. French then passed to Josh Dallas for 15 yards.

OJ Arnold ran for a one-yard loss. David Mbadinga ran for five yards. On third-and-six, USC was called for pass interference on French’s toss down field.

French tossed a deep pass that fell incomplete. French passed to Ahmon Green for a loss of four yards. On third-and-14 at the USC 39, French was sacked by Anthony Lucas.

Alex Smith’s punt went out of bounds at the USC 15.

USC 14, Georgia Southern 6, 6:53 left in first quarter

USC started on its 20.

Jayden Maiava passed to Eli Sanders, who had strong blocking as he ran for 18 yards.

Maiava then passed to Makai Lemon, who slipped out of a tackle and then cut away from the defense to run up the middle for a 62-yard touchdown.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

USC 7, Georgia Southern 6, 7:41 left in first quarter

Georgia Southern started on its 25 after the touchback.

OJ Arnold ran for five yards. JC French IV passed to Josh Dallas for no gain. French then tossed an incomplete pass.

Alex Smith’s punt went out of bounds at the USC 20.

USC 7, Georgia Southern 6, 8:50 left in first quarter

USC tried to show its faith in Waymond Jordan after his opening drive fumble and it paid off for the Trojans.

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jordan ran for two yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Makai Lemon for 16 yards. Jordan then ran for 13 yards to the Georgia Southern 44.

Maiava passed to Tanook Hines for six yards. Georgia Southern then took a timeout. Jordan ran for three yards. On third-and-one, Jordan hedged to the right before accelerating past the Georgia Southern line for 17 yards.

On first down at the Georgia Southern 18, Jordan ran for six yards. Maiava then passed Ja’Kobi Lane, who shook off pass interference to extend for a one-handed 12-yard touchdown pass. USC declined the penalty.

Ryon Sayeri hit the extra point.

Georgia Southern 6, USC 0, 13:01 left in first quarter

Georgia Southern started at the USC 41 after the Trojans’ fumble.

JC French IV passed to Dalen Cobb for four yards. French’s next pass was incomplete. French tossed another incomplete pass on third down, but USC was called offside on the play. Georgia Southern’s Caelan Williams was hurt on the play.

On third-and-one at the USC 32, Weston Bryan passed to Camden Brown for a 32-yard touchdown. The Trojans were called for pass interference, but the penalty was declined.

French tossed an incomplete pass on the two-point conversion attempt.

USC 0, Georgia Southern 0, 13:42 left in first quarter

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Maiava passed to Makai Lemon for six yards. Waymond Jordan then ran for six yards.

Jordan ran for four yards before fumbling. Georgia Southern’s Caleb Moore recovered the ball at the USC 41.

USC 0, Georgia Southern 0, start of first quarter

USC won the toss and received the opening kickoff.

Clay Helton says he returned to the Coliseum after he was fired by USC with affection, but fans felt a bit less nostalgia today.

This was what Lincoln Riley wanted.

A half-empty Coliseum. An overwhelmed opponent. The anonymous visitors from Palookaville booed as they marched onto the field.

Los Angeles is about big events, and there was nothing big about USC’s season opener on Saturday, save for the margin of victory.

There were no conclusions to draw from the 73-13 victory over Missouri State. There were no definitive statements that could be made about the direction of the program.

Is Riley a fraud or is he actually building something other than a $200-million practice facility?

Five years ago, when USC first scheduled this 2025 season opener, the plan had been to go big, to test itself with a marquee, nonconference opponent that not only bolstered the Trojans’ strength of schedule but also captured the attention of college football. So, at the time, USC agreed to a home-and-home meeting with Mississippi, when Lane Kiffin, the Trojans’ former coach, would make his much-anticipated return to the Coliseum.

That matchup, of course, never came to fruition. The entire landscape of college football was upended in the meantime. Lincoln Riley became the coach. USC left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. And the meeting with Mississippi was canceled, the rationale from USC’s leaders being there was no sensible reason, in the age of the expanding College Football Playoff, to test your team with top-tier nonconference competition.

Beautiful Eagle Creek sits just off Tillman Road in Statesboro, Ga., tracing the edge of the practice field at Georgia Southern University, where for more than four decades, the creek has been considered holy ground.

But to call Beautiful Eagle Creek a creek at all is, well … a stretch. It’s really a drainage ditch. Its water usually sits stagnant, attracting swarms of gnats to the field during the more humid months of the year. When Erk Russell arrived in Statesboro in 1981 to resurrect the football program, he gave it the name and declared its muddy water “magical” to inspire the team. The story stuck. And Beautiful Eagle Creek became a central part of the program’s mythos. During every road trip, Russell would bring along a jug full of its brown water with him to sprinkle on the opponent’s field. To this day, at the start of every new season in Statesboro, any new players or coaches are “baptized” in its magical waters.