Spartans can’t handle USC’s offense

Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline) – USC went into its Big Ten Conference football game  against Michigan State undefeated. The Trojans left the contest with their record still unblemished.  

Backed by the scoring efficiency of the offensive unit, the Trojans generated 523 yards of total offense and scored 24 first-half points on their way to posting a 45-31 home win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 

“Great Big Ten win. It was a game that had some unique twists and turns,” USC head coach Lincoln Riley said. “I thought we were controlling the game. Obviously, we had a couple errors in the third quarter with penalties, especially on the punt, and then obviously the turnover that allowed them to come back and capture some momentum. I thought our team responded and separated back in a really good way. That was very positive.” 

The most positive takeaway from the Trojans’ fourth win of the season (4-0) is how the offense got off to a fast start. The Trojans dominated the first half, racking up 355 yards in total offense as they raced off to a 14-point lead at intermission. It’s been an impressive four games for the USC offense. 

During that span, the Trojans have scored 59, 73, 33, and 45 points against respective opponents in successive weeks. When discussing the Trojans offense, Riley said everything points to the offensive line-first and foremost.

“I think the first thing is that the O-Line played really well, and that’s where it all starts. Our guys up front are doing some really good things. I think we’re seeing early on here in the season, it’s got to continue,” Riley said. 

The real test for USC’s offense lies ahead of them. The Trojans have a road trip to Illinois next before returning to United Airlines Field to face off against Michigan. They then have to travel to South Bend to play Notre Dame before heading to Lincoln, Nebraska to play against the Cornhuskers. 

The Trojans end their season with games against Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA. For now, the Trojans’ offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders. Keeping the Trojans’ offensive train rolling has been quarterback Jayden Maiava. Maiava totaled five touchdowns against Michigan State, throwing for three scores and running in the other two.   

He finished the game accounting for nearly 300 yards in total offense, passing for 234 and rushing for another 31. Wide receiver Makai Lemon had a big game as well for the Trojans, accounting for 225 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. 

“I think [Makai Lemon] was just ready to play like himself,” Riley said. “We had some other big contributions from guys like (WR) Jaden Richardson and obviously (WR) Tanook (Hines) and the tight ends were impactful. I think anytime something like that happens, other guys gotta be  ready to step up and I thought our other guys did that.”

One of the touchdowns that Lemon scored was by ground. In the fourth quarter, Lemon found the endzone on a four-yard touchdown run. Maiava said there was a lot of preparation that went into that particular play Lemon scored on. 

“We practiced it all week, and the weeks before like that,” Maiava said. “But anytime the ball is in his hands you know something big is about to happen.”

 After two quarters of play, the Trojans looked very much on their way to another runaway victory as in the past three games before they battled Michigan State. 

The stats from the first half told the tale of the tape between the two teams. Aside from the 24 points they put up, the Trojans accumulated 18 first downs.   

The Spartans, on the other hand, used up 26 plays to generate 173 yards worth of offense. Michigan State (3-1) got 10 points for their efforts. 

For USC, fresh from coming off a blowout win against Purdue, going off in the first half of a ballgame is nothing new. The Trojans have used the fast start as a recurring theme in their first four wins to start the season. Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith is impressed with the Trojans offense. 

“I think they’re pretty good,” Smith said. “When the quarterback is playing with that kind of confidence. They got guys to throw it to in space. But the biggest factor is, they can have that kind of balance. It is tough because their ability to run the ball and their passing can make big plays.”

Featured Image: LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) keeps the ball on option play during the Michigan State Spartans vs USC Trojans game on September 20, 2025, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)