{"id":171507,"date":"2025-09-21T09:18:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T09:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/171507\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T09:18:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T09:18:19","slug":"no-25-usc-runs-past-michigan-state-to-remain-unbeaten-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/171507\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 25 USC runs past Michigan State to remain unbeaten \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Running<\/p>\n

Running back Waymond Jordan #2 of the USC Trojans leaps for the first down against defensive back Malik Spencer #43 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Running<\/p>\n

Running back Waymond Jordan #2 of the USC Trojans leaps for the first down against defensive back Malik Spencer #43 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wide<\/p>\n

Wide receiver Makai Lemon #6 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Quarterback<\/p>\n

Quarterback Jayden Maiava #14 of the USC Trojans smiles against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Defensive<\/p>\n

Defensive end Kameryn Fountain #1 of the USC Trojans reacts after tackling running back Brandon Tullis #7 of the Michigan State Spartans for a loss of yards in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Defensive<\/p>\n

Defensive end Kameryn Fountain #1 of the USC Trojans tackles running back Brandon Tullis #7 of the Michigan State Spartans for a loss of yards in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Head<\/p>\n

Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans talks with quarterback Jayden Maiava #14 of the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game agains the Michigan State Spartans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Defensive<\/p>\n

Defensive lineman Grady Kelly #16 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble by the USC Trojans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Quarterback<\/p>\n

Quarterback Jayden Maiava #14 of the USC Trojans runs for first down against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Tight<\/p>\n

Tight end Jack Velling #12 of the Michigan State Spartans catches a pass over cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson #17 of the USC Trojans for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Quarterback<\/p>\n

Quarterback Jayden Maiava #14 of the USC Trojans smiles against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"Quarterback<\/p>\n

Quarterback Jayden Maiava #14 of the USC Trojans runs for first down against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

\"USC<\/p>\n

USC Trojans fans in the second half of a NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the Michigan State Spartans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 13<\/p>\n

Running back Waymond Jordan #2 of the USC Trojans leaps for the first down against defensive back Malik Spencer #43 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News\/ SCNG)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES \u2014 USC quarterback Jayden Maiava<\/a> used his arm as well as legs to help the USC football team extend its win streak to four games by holding off Michigan State, 45-31.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a game that had some unique twists and turns,\u201d head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters after the game. \u201cBut I thought our team responded and separated back, in a really good way. If you\u2019re learning lessons as you win, it\u2019s hard not to be excited about what you see out of this football team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maiava completed 20-of-26 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 31 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.<\/p>\n

The Trojans (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) were in a single-back formation when Maiava scored his third rushing touchdown of the season. He faked a handoff to running back Waymond Jordan<\/a> (157 rushing yards), then ran right for 15 yards and a touchdown that gave USC its first lead of the game, 10-7, with 2:42 left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

Maiava threw two additional passing touchdowns in the first half to give USC a 24-10 advantage at halftime. He connected with Makai Lemon<\/a> (127 receiving yards) for a 40-yard strike and Tanook Hines for a 7-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n

Michigan State (3-1, 0-1) had been allowing an average of 64.3 rushing yards per game heading into the game, but USC\u2019s running backs combined for 283 yards.<\/p>\n

\u201c(A balanced offense) was important,\u201d Riley told reporters. \u201cWe challenged the guys from a physicality standpoint. We knew that was going to be a key coming into the game, and I thought our line, backs, everybody, really played well. Tight ends. We broke a lot of tackles. Waymond and Eli, those guys were really impactful.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spartans\u2019 defense came up big when it counted, though, and defensive back Armorion Smith forced Lemon to fumble with six minutes left in the third quarter. Grady Kelly recovered the ball and set Michigan State up for a touchdown drive.<\/p>\n

Second-year head coach Jonathan Smith dialed up a series of short runs that slowly pulled the Spartans to the 1-yard line. Michigan State stacked its players, appearing to be ready for a push, but quarterback and Downey High product Aidan Chiles<\/a> opted for a quick, short pass to tight end Jack Velling.<\/p>\n

Trojans cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson was ready for a tackle, but Velling pushed up against him enough to inch into the end zone and bring the score to 31-24 with 43 seconds to go in the third frame.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had some self-inflicted errors in the third quarter,\u201d Riley said. \u201cAnd then \u2014 you\u2019re playing a good football team \u2014 all of a sudden, if you have those, it\u2019s going to get close, but our ability to separate back out, I thought, was just as impressive as getting the lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

In response, USC put together a lengthy drive that lasted 7 minutes and 20 seconds and relied on the rushing abilities<\/a> of Jordan and Eli Sanders to get to the 4-yard line with a fresh set of downs.<\/p>\n

Jordan lined up to receive the handoff, but Maiava quickly sent Lemon into motion and slipped him the ball for a 4-yard touchdown run. Lemon turned toward the marching band and started acting as its conductor as a celebration for his first career rushing touchdown and a 38-24 advantage with 8:20 remaining on the clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe practiced it all week, and weeks before that,\u201d Maiava told reporters. \u201cBut anytime it was in his hands, you know something big is about to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maiava scored on a quarterback keeper with 2:57 left to add an insurance touchdown. Chiles also tacked on a touchdown on a 75-yard pass to Omari Kelly.<\/p>\n

USC settled for a field goal on its first possession of the game. Maiava\u2019s pass to Jaden Richardson on third down was ruled incomplete after the ball popped out of the receiver\u2019s hands on a hit delivered by Malik Spencer. Ryon Sayeri hit a 25-yard field goal<\/a> to get the Trojans on the scoreboard.<\/p>\n

Richardson made his first USC start because Ja\u2019Kobi Lane was out with an undisclosed injury.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing we always do in the receiving room is if one of our brothers goes down and your number gets called, it\u2019s time for you to step up,\u201d Hines told reporters. \u201cWe\u2019re really a family. I\u2019m playing hard for my brother, and he can play hard for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michigan State scored its first touchdown of the game when Chrishon McCray hauled in a 42-yard pass from Chiles. McCray adjusted halfway through the play to run right and position himself in a wide-open space.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the big one that obviously hurt us,\u201d Lincoln Riley said of the defensive breakdown. \u201cAnd that gave them a 40-something-yard touchdown pass right there to begin the game. We did a good job bottling it up after that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Spartans got a boost when receiver Nick Marsh and running back Makhi Frazier \u2014 who were both listed as questionable due to injuries \u2014 suited up for the game. However, a player ejection and an injury removed both starting linebackers before halftime.<\/p>\n

Jordan Hall, the team\u2019s leading tackler, was called for targeting early in the second quarter and Wayne Matthews III suffered a significant injury that caused him to be carted off the field and directly into an ambulance.<\/p>\n

Originally Published: September 21, 2025 at 12:29 AM PDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Running back Waymond Jordan #2 of the USC Trojans leaps for the first down against defensive back Malik…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171508,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[9594,1607,2662,399,398,396,397,99,23764,23765],"class_list":["post-171507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ncaa-football","tag-big-ten-conference","tag-college-football","tag-college-sports","tag-football","tag-ncaa","tag-ncaa-football","tag-ncaafootball","tag-sports","tag-usc-football","tag-usc-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}