After One Week, USC Trojans Quarterback Jayden Maiava Is The Big Ten’s Best Offensive Player

On Monday September 1, 2025, USC football quarterback Jayden Maiava was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Missouri State in the Trojans’ 73-13 win over the Bears. 

Maiava played in just the first half against Missouri State and dominated. He completed 15-of-18 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns passes. He also rushed for another touchdown. 

His 295 yards rank second in the Big Ten behind only Ryan Browne of Purdue, who played in all four quarters for the Boilermakers. He also leads all of college football in several statistical categories, including passing efficiency, yards per completion and yards per attempt. 

Maiava’s go-to receiver was Biletnikoff candidate Makai Lemon, who racked up 7 catches for 90 yards, also all in the first half. 

When he exited the game at halftime, USC was winning 42-10. The 73-point mark is USC’s highest point total since 1930.  

It’s Maiava’s first Big Ten weekly award of his career. 

Did Maiava Put Heisman Voters On Notice? 

It goes without saying that you can’t win the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best player in college football each season, in Week 1. 

Plus, USC was playing a team in Missouri State that was playing in its first FBS game. The caliber of competition should be considered when evaluating Maiava’s performance. 

But apart from all of that, Maiava looked like a completely transformed quarterback in 2025 compared to 2024. 

Maiava was completely calm, collected and in control against the Bears. He ran a complicated Lincoln Riley offense with ease. He was never sacked and didn’t turn the ball over. 

After an up-and-down stint with USC in 2024, where he clearly struggled and was turnover-prone when he was nervous or unsettled, Maiava looked polished and confident. 

He even ran some designed run plays and made great reads. 

Maiava put big-name Big Ten QBs like Nico Iamaleava of UCLA, Bryce Underwood of Michigan, Luke Altmeyer of Illinois, and Drew Allar, who have been ranked ahead of Maiava, to shame with his clearly superior performance. 

The biggest key for Maiava is going to be keeping his confidence internal and not basing it on external circumstances. Can he be as stoned-faced as he was at home against Missouri State when he plays Oregon in Eugene? 

Only time will tell. 

USC’s Running Back Room Also Impressed 

The Trojan offense looked unstoppable through the air with Maiava under center. But by the looks of things, they’re not just going to shred teams via the passing game. 

USC’s running back room, composed of Waymond Jordan, Eli Sanders, Bryan Jackson and King Miller, showcased incredible speed and elusiveness. 

All four reached the end zone Saturday against Missouri State, and Jordan, Sanders and Miller each had 50 or more total yards of offense. 

Even backup QB Husan Longstreet got in on the fun, rushing 8 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Maiava also had the aforementioned rushing TD. 

With their best offensive performance in almost 100 years, USC sent a message to the entire college football world. 

Good luck stopping this offense. 

And that message is going to resonate regardless of who the Trojans played, because they put up a point total that not even legendary, national championship USC teams could. Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Caleb Williams; so many offensive stars have graced the Coliseum field. 

Yet, it is Jayden Maiava that led USC football to its biggest point total in 95 years. 

USC fans, which offensive star do you think shined the brightest? What did you think of Jayden Maiava’s performance? 

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