GAME RECAP AND TOP PHOTOS: Trojans Cruise Past Georgia Southern to Improve to 2-0

by Isabella Lyons

LOS ANGELES, CA- The University of Southern California Trojans defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles in a 59-20 victory at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept. 6 in their second game of the season.

The Trojans, led by Lincoln Riley, came into the game with a 1-0 record after defeating the Missouri State Bears in a record-breaking 73-13 victory, the most points scored by USC since 1930. USC had a total of 597 yards in their home opener, making them ranked 7th in the FBS.

Georgia Southern is led by Clay Helton, former USC head coach. Helton’s USC career began in 2010, where he served as quarterbacks coach until 2015. 

That season, he served as interim head coach for the first five games before becoming permanent head coach in November of 2015. Helton would coach players like Matt Barkley, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Sam Darnold. Helton would leave Los Angeles in 2021 before joining Georgia Southern.

The game began with Georgia Southern kicking to USC. The Trojans struggled on their first drive with an early fumble by Waymond Jordan, giving Georgia Southern the ball in USC territory. The Eagles were able to score a quick touchdown off the turnover with wide receiver Camden Brown. Their two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, having Georgia in the lead, 6-0.

With the ball, Jayden Maiava completed a 16-yard pass to Makai Lemon. Immediately following, a pair of Waymond Jordan first-down runs set up the Trojans in the red zone. This would set up Ja’Kobi Lane for a one-handed 12-yard touchdown catch, this would bring the score to 7-6, USC.

After holding off Georgia Southern, an Eli Sanders 18-yard reception would set up Makai Lemon for a 62-yard touchdown reception to bring the score to 14-6, USC. On the following drive, Maiava completed a deep pass to Makai Lemon, caught at the 49-yard line and taken for a 74-yard touchdown. 

After facing a penalty for hands to the face, the defense was able to make an interception with DeCarlos Nicholson to get the ball back to the Trojans. USC would not capitalize on the opportunity, punting back to Georgia Southern to start the second quarter.

In the 2nd, Georgia Southern’s Camden Brown hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass to the back right corner of the end zone,  21-12, USC. Jayden Maiava responded by completing a deep pass to the left for 53 yards to Ja’Kobi Lane, before being brought down by Tracy Hill Jr., picking up a first down.

On 4th down, Georgia Southern elected to go for it, but running back OJ Arnold dropped a wide-open pass, ed a short pass to the right to Walker Lyons, who caught it at the Eagles’ 16 and took it 14 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. 30-13, USC.

Georgia Southern began the 3rd quarter off with the ball, but were soon forced to punt for 37 yards where the Trojans would take over.

Waymond Jordan would rush the majority of the drives including a rush up the middle for a gain of 12 yards. This would set Jordan up for his 36-yard touchdown to bring the score to 38-13, USC and also bring his rushing yards to over 100 for the evening.

Maiava would throw to Zacharyus Williams for a 61 yard gain before being brought down by Jaylen Bentley, resulting in a 1st down. This would set up Eli Sanders for a 1-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the Trojans further ahead, 45-13.

Georgia Southern would push all the way to the red zone where Dalen Cobb would find the endzone for 13 yards, bringing the score to 45-20, USC.

In the 4th, Jayden Maiava would connect with Walker Lyons for a 1st down, which would also bring Maiava to over 400 yards for the evening. This would be followed by a 5 yard rushing touchdown by Eli Sanders, with the Trojans still leading, 52-20.

With 12 minutes to go in the 4th, Husan Longstreet took over for Jayden Maiava. Longstreet would pass the ball off to Harry Dalton III for a 21-yard pickup. King Miller would shortly after rush up the middle for a 41-yard touchdown, which would bring the final score to 59-20, USC.

Jayden Maiava completed 16 out of his 24 passes for a total of 412 yards and four touchdowns. Waymond Jordan led the rushing attack with 16 carries for a total of 167 yards and one touchdown. Makai Lemon had four receptions for a total of 158 yards, 2 touchdowns and a long of 74. Ja’Kobi Lane had three receptions for a total of 91 yards, 1 touchdown and a long of 53.

Eric Gentry had 10 tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss and Jadyn Walker had three tackles and one tackle for loss. 

JC French IV of Georgia Southern completed 19 of his 35 attempts for a total of 179 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. David Mbadinga had the most carries with 11 for 29 yards and OJ Arnold had eight carries for 45 yards. Camden Brown had three receptions for 75 yards, two touchdowns and a long of 32. Dalen Cobb had six receptions for 59 yards, 1 touchdown and a long of 17.

Brandon Tyson had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss, Brendan Harrington had eight tackles, and Prince Green had six. 

USC is on the road this upcoming week to make their Big 10 premier for the 2025 season against Purdue on Sept. 13 and Georgia Southern will be at home to face Jacksonville State the same day.