USC rides defense and gutsy Maiava comeback | JQJO

USC turned a shaky start into a 38-17 win over Northwestern, pivoting on quarterback Jayden Maiava’s chase-down hit after his own interception, a goal-line fumble that gave the Trojans the ball and momentum. King Miller answered with a 55-yard burst and a short touchdown in a second-quarter 14-point swing, while Lincoln Riley’s staff sprung a fake punt completed by backup QB Sam Huard. Maiava rebounded to go 24 of 33 for 299 yards and two scores plus a rushing TD. Makai Lemon (11 for 161) and Ja’Kobi Lane starred, and USC’s defense allowed only three second-half points.