USC delivered one of its biggest wins under head coach Lincoln Riley on Saturday, October 31, defeating No. 2 Ohio State 30-18 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Trojans took control early and maintained their advantage throughout the game, handing the Buckeyes their second loss of the 2026 college football season.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 222 yards and a touchdown, while freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley produced a standout performance with 101 receiving yards and a 69-yard touchdown.
The victory improved USC’s record to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten play. Ohio State dropped to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference competition.
Ohio State vs USC: Final Score and Game Highlights
USC established its advantage in the opening quarter with two touchdowns, putting Ohio State under immediate pressure.
Maiava connected with Mosley for a 69-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. The explosive play gave the Trojans an early lead and set the tone for their offensive performance.
Waymond Jordan added another touchdown with a nine-yard rushing score, helping USC finish the first quarter ahead 14-3.
Ohio State responded with field goals from Connor Hawkins but struggled to find the end zone during the first three quarters.
USC extended its advantage to 20-9 by halftime before King Miller scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. That score pushed the Trojans’ lead to 27-9.
The Buckeyes finally reached the end zone late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Luke Fahey connected with Jeremiah Smith for a one-yard touchdown pass.
However, Ohio State failed to convert the two-point attempt. USC recovered the ensuing onside kick and added another field goal to secure the 30-18 victory.
Jayden Maiava Leads USC With 222 Passing Yards
Maiava played an important role in USC’s offensive success, completing 15 of 22 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown.
His connection with Mosley produced the game’s first major scoring play and gave the Trojans an early advantage they never surrendered.
Trent Mosley finished with five receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown. His 69-yard reception was the longest scoring play of the game.
Mark Bowman also contributed with three catches for 79 yards, giving USC another reliable option in the passing game.
On the ground, King Miller recorded 78 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Waymond Jordan added 48 yards and another rushing score.
Jeremiah Smith Scores as Ohio State Struggles to Catch Up
Jeremiah Smith remained one of Ohio State’s leading offensive performers despite the defeat.
The wide receiver recorded 10 receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown. His late fourth-quarter score ended USC’s run of keeping the Buckeyes out of the end zone.
Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey made his first career start in place of injured Julian Sayin. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Running back Bo Jackson provided another strong performance, finishing with 121 rushing yards on 21 carries. However, Ohio State could not turn its offensive production into enough touchdowns.
The Buckeyes finished with 464 total offensive yards but managed only 18 points against USC.
Ohio State vs USC Box Score and Player Statistics
The final statistics highlighted the difference between offensive production and scoring efficiency. Ohio State gained more total yards but USC made its opportunities count with early touchdowns and key plays.
| Statistic | Ohio State | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 18 | 30 |
| Total Yards | 464 | 338 |
| Passing Yards | 260 | 222 |
| Rushing Yards | 204 | 116 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Penalty Yards | 71 | 42 |
Top individual performers:
- Jayden Maiava (USC): 222 passing yards, 1 touchdown.
- Trent Mosley (USC): 101 receiving yards, 1 touchdown.
- King Miller (USC): 78 rushing yards, 1 touchdown.
- Luke Fahey (Ohio State): 260 passing yards, 1 touchdown.
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State): 83 receiving yards, 1 touchdown.
- Bo Jackson (Ohio State): 121 rushing yards.
What the USC Victory Means for Lincoln Riley
The win represented a significant moment for Riley, who secured his biggest victory during his five-season tenure at USC.
The Trojans defeated a top-five opponent at the Coliseum for the first time since 2015. USC players and fans celebrated the result by rushing onto the field after the final whistle.
For Ohio State, the defeat marked a difficult setback in its Big Ten campaign. The Buckeyes will look to respond when they return home to face Oregon on Saturday, November 7.
