EVANSTON, Ill. – A pivotal interception by Jayden Maiava, followed by a decisive rushing touchdown, propelled No. 19 USC to a 37-14 victory over Northwestern on Saturday. The trojans overcame a sluggish start and a resilient Wildcats offense to secure the win at Ryan Field.
The game showcased a back-and-forth first half,punctuated by strategic risks and explosive plays. USC coach Lincoln Riley gambled on a fake punt that paid off, setting up a scoring drive. northwestern responded with strong offensive drives lead by running back Caleb Komolafe, who amassed 158 all-purpose yards. However, a critical interception thrown by Maiava briefly stalled USC’s momentum before the Trojans seized control in the second half.
maiava’s interception, occurring in the middle of the field, quickly shifted the game’s trajectory. Shortly after,USC running back Quinten Joyner broke free for a significant run,igniting the Trojans’ offense and leading to a dominant second-half performance. Maiava later punctuated the victory with his team-leading sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
“We needed a spark, and Jayden made a huge play,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said.
Komolafe proved a consistent threat for Northwestern, gaining 117 all-purpose yards in the first half alone. USC’s defense struggled to contain the Wildcats initially, failing to record a stop until the final five minutes of the first half.
The win moves USC to [insert current record] on the season, while Northwestern falls to [insert current record].The Trojans will return to Los Angeles to prepare for thier next matchup against [insert next opponent], while the Wildcats will look to rebound against [insert next opponent].