Jayden Maiava accounted for three touchdowns as No. 14 USC built a 35-3 lead before San Jose State closed the gap late at the Coliseum.
LOS ANGELES — Jayden Maiava threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score as No. 14 USC opened its season with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State on Saturday.
Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for the Trojans, whose retooled offense produced 505 yards and featured several players making their USC debuts. Trent Mosley led the group with seven catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Kayden Dixon-Wyatt caught a scoring pass. Riley Wormley and Shahn Alston each ran for their first USC touchdowns.
USC led 28-0 shortly before halftime and took a 35-3 advantage into the fourth quarter. Maiava opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run, and he later connected with Dixon-Wyatt on a 9-yard score and Mosley on a 14-yard touchdown.
San Jose State made the final score more competitive behind quarterback Luke Weaver, a Hawaii transfer who passed for 234 yards. Weaver threw fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Jerry McClure and Jordan Anderson, then ran for another score in the final minute.
USC coach Lincoln Riley said his starters controlled the game through the first three quarters, while also pointing to the late defensive lapses as an area for improvement. The Trojans were without several expected contributors, including defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart and receivers Tanook Hines and Terrell Anderson.
San Jose State will play at Eastern Michigan on Friday, Sept. 4. USC hosts Fresno State that night.
