GAME RECAP: #25 USC Defeats Michigan State 45–31 at the Coliseum for Third Straight

Under the Saturday night Hollywood lights at the Coliseum, the #25 USC Trojans used a balanced offensive attack and timely scores in the fourth quarter to secure a 45–31 win over the Michigan State Spartans. The victory keeps USC unbeaten at 4–0 (2–0 Big Ten), while Michigan State drops to 3–1 (0–1 Big Ten).

USC opened the scoring with a 25-yard field goal by Ryon Sayeri, but Michigan State responded quickly when Aidan Chiles found Chrishon McCray for a 42-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a brief 7–3 lead.

The Trojans answered behind quarterback Jayden Maiava, who capped a 72-yard drive with a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Later in the second quarter, Maiava connected with Makai Lemon on a 40-yard strike, and after a Spartan field goal, he closed the half with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Tahj Hines, giving USC a 24–10 advantage at the break.

Maiava continued his sharp play to start the second half, hitting Walker Lyons for a 10-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 31–10.

Michigan State refused to fold, as Chiles used his arm and legs to rally the Spartans. He ran in from 4 yards out, then later found Jack Velling on a 1-yard score, trimming the deficit to 31–24 late in the third.

With the game tightening, USC leaned on long, clock-draining drives. Lemon added a 4-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead back to two scores, and Maiava powered in from a yard out to make it 45–24.

Michigan State struck back quickly when Chiles hit Omari Kelly on a 75-yard passing touchdown, but by then it was too late, and USC closed out the 45–31 win.

USC heads back on the road next week in a Big Noon Kickoff as they take on #9 Illinois on FOX at 9am Pacific Time.