In a commanding display on Friday night, the USC Trojans secured a decisive 39-0 victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This win marks USC's second consecutive triumph of the 2026 NCAA Football season, improving their record to 2-0.
Head coach Lincoln Riley expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly highlighting the significance of achieving a shutout. "I’m really excited about the shutout, that’s hard to do," he noted. Riley praised the team's energy and improvement compared to their previous game, emphasizing the need for continued growth as the season progresses.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava continued his impressive form, completing 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns. This performance further solidifies his status as a key player for USC, especially after being named the AP national player of the week following his record-setting 86.2% completion rate in the previous game against San Jose State. Maiava's accuracy on Friday night was remarkable, as he achieved a completion rate of 92%, showcasing his ability to lead the offense effectively.
Maiava credited his success to the team's collective effort, stating, "I think it comes from the guys sitting next to me... just all on the same page, playing at a really high level." His contributions were complemented by standout performances from freshman wide receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. Mosley, in particular, shone brightly, recording four receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns by halftime, including a spectacular 68-yard touchdown catch that extended USC's lead to 14-0.
Dixon-Wyatt also made a significant impact, leading the team with six catches for 102 yards, including a crucial 31-yard reception on a fourth down during the opening drive. The Trojans' ground game was bolstered by touchdowns from Waymond Jordan and Deshonne Redeaux, with Jordan leading all rushers with 67 yards on 11 carries.
While the offense was impressive, the true highlight of the game was the USC defense, which completely stifled the Fresno State offense. The Trojans managed to prevent the Bulldogs from scoring, marking only the second shutout for USC since 2012 and the first since September 2024. The defense was relentless, forcing two turnovers and creating two safeties, showcasing their dominance throughout the contest.
Defensive standout Kennedy Urlacher made his mark by recording the first safety of the night, sacking Fresno State quarterback Jayden Mandal in the end zone during a critical moment. Urlacher described his successful play as a result of executing the game plan effectively, stating, "Coaches put us in great positions each and every play... we execute the calls, trust in our practice throughout the week, and that’s the result of that." Alex Graham added a second safety later in the game, further solidifying USC's defensive prowess.
As the game came to a close, Jadyn Ramos capped off the defensive performance with a sack on a fourth down attempt deep in Trojan territory, ensuring the shutout remained intact. USC's next challenge comes as they prepare to host the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns next Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT, as they look to build on their strong start to the season.
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