No. 25 USC runs past Michigan State to remain unbeaten

LOS ANGELES — USC quarterback Jayden Maiava used his arm as well as legs to help the USC football team extend its win streak to four games by holding off Michigan State, 45-31.

Maiava completed 20-of-26 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 31 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.

The Trojans (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) were in a single-back formation when Maiava scored his third rushing touchdown of the season. He faked a handoff to running back Waymond Jordan, then ran right for 15 yards and a touchdown that gave USC its first lead of the game, 10-7, with 2:42 left in the first quarter.

Maiava threw two additional passing touchdowns in the first half to give USC a 24-10 advantage at halftime. He connected with Makai Lemon (127 receiving yards) for a 40-yard strike and Tanook Hines for a 7-yard touchdown.

Michigan State (3-1, 0-1) had been allowing an average of 64.3 rushing yards per game heading into the game, but USC’s running backs combined for 283 yards.

The Spartans’ defense came up big when it counted, though, and defensive back Armorion Smith forced Lemon to fumble with six minutes left in the third quarter. Grady Kelly recovered the ball and set Michigan State up for a touchdown drive.

Second-year head coach Jonathan Smith dialed up a series of short runs that slowly pulled the Spartans to the 1-yard line. Michigan State stacked its players, appearing to be ready for a push, but quarterback and Downey High product Aidan Chiles opted for a quick, short pass to tight end Jack Velling.

Trojans cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson was ready for a tackle, but Velling pushed up against him enough to inch into the end zone and bring the score to 31-24 with 43 seconds to go in the third frame.

In response, USC put together a lengthy drive that lasted 7 minutes and 20 seconds and relied on the rushing abilities of Jordan and Eli Sanders to get to the 4-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

Jordan lined up to receive the handoff, but Maiava quickly sent Lemon into motion and slipped him the ball for a 4-yard touchdown run. Lemon turned toward the marching band and started acting as its conductor as a celebration for his first career rushing touchdown and a 38-24 advantage with 8:20 remaining on the clock.

Maiava scored on a quarterback keeper with 2:57 left to add an insurance touchdown. Chiles also tacked on a touchdown on a 75-yard pass to Omari Kelly.

USC settled for a field goal on its first possession of the game. Maiava’s pass to Jaden Richardson on third down was ruled incomplete after the ball popped out of the receiver’s hands on a hit delivered by Malik Spencer. Ryon Sayeri hit a 25-yard field goal to get the Trojans on the scoreboard.

Richardson made his first USC start because Ja’Kobi Lane was out with an undisclosed injury.

Michigan State scored its first touchdown of the game when Chrishon McCray hauled in a 42-yard pass from Chiles. McCray adjusted halfway through the play to run right and position himself in a wide-open space.

The Spartans got a boost when receiver Nick Marsh and running back Makhi Frazier — who were both listed as questionable due to injuries — suited up for the game. However, a player ejection and an injury removed both starting linebackers before halftime.

Jordan Hall, the team’s leading tackler, was called for targeting early in the second quarter and Wayne Matthews III suffered a significant injury that caused him to be carted off the field and directly into an ambulance.