Jayden Maiava had an uncharacteristic first quarter against Wisconsin.
The USC quarterback threw two interceptions on the first two of three Trojans possessions to begin the sport. The protection restricted the injury as the first choose resulted in a Wisconsin subject aim and the second ended in a field-goal miss by the Badgers.
Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava seems to be to throw a move during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Through seven video games this season, Maiava had thrown three interceptions. On Saturday, he virtually matched his season tally in the first quarter alone.
The Trojans trailed by only a subject aim coming into the second quarter. He bounced back by throwing a four-yard landing move to give USC the lead, 7-3.
Maiava has been one of the more environment friendly quarterbacks in the nation, finishing 67.9% of his passes with a QBR of 86.6 (which ranks fourth in the nation). The senior signal-caller ranked third in passing yards coming into Saturday’s sport.
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava stretches during warmups before the sport against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Southern California head coach Lincoln Riley, left, talks with quarterback Jayden Maiava between performs against Penn State during the second half of an NCAA school soccer sport. AP Photo/Barry Reeger
The matchup for No. 16 USC is vital for their College Football Playoff hopes because their next two video games characteristic No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Indiana, making a win over the unranked Badgers pivotal.
Head coach Lincoln Riley’s future stays unsure with the program, particularly after USC’s rocky begin to the 2026 season. Riley is in the midst of his fifth 12 months with the Trojans, but has yet to meet expectations.
There’s still loads of time for Maiava to bounce back in Saturday’s matchup and the Trojans will want their beginning quarterback to do so in order to safe a win over Wisconsin.