USC football avoids disaster by holding on against winless Rutgers

· California Post

PISCATAWAY, NJ — The birthplace of college football looked like it might also mark the resting place of USC’s season.

The Trojans would play more games regardless of what happened Saturday, of course, but would there really be any coming back from a loss to winless Rutgers?

USC Trojans wide receiver Corey Simms (10) scores on a touchdown reception during the first half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, Sept. 19, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Some late perseverance prevented USC from finding out.

On a day when their defense gave up way too many big plays and their offense missed freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, the No. 12 Trojans nevertheless held on during a 42-35 victory at SHI Stadium in their Big Ten opener.

A fourth-down stop followed by a quick touchdown midway through the fourth quarter prevented USC (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) from what would have been a major stumble.

It was bad enough as it was, the Trojans’ defense giving up 460 yards against a team that got steamrolled by UMass in this same stadium.

Rutgers (0-3, 0-1) converted three of four fourth downs and nearly matched the combined 42 points it had scored in its first two games.

Meanwhile, Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava turned in his first clunker of the season. Repeatedly locking in on his first targets and struggling to make plays against soft zone coverage, Maiava completed 20 of 32 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

But the bigger concern was a defense that now must face Oregon, which rolled up 84 points against Portland State.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Elias Coke (13) celebrates his touchdown reception during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Sept. 19, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

What it means

USC averted a collapse against what was widely considered one of the worst Power Four teams in the country.

Rutgers’ season-opening loss to UMass and subsequent setback against Boston College put Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano firmly on the hot seat.

USC counterpart Lincoln Riley would have joined him had his team faltered Saturday. But even with the sigh-of-relief victory, the Trojans are not exactly surging heading into their showdown against Oregon next weekend.

USC Trojans running back Deshonne Redeaux (6) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of a game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Turning point

With Rutgers facing a fourth-and-1 at its 24-yard line early in the fourth quarter, trailing by just a touchdown, the Scarlet Knights tried to get cute.

They lined up in a shotgun formation and snapped the ball directly to running back Antwan Raymond.

Bad move.

Raymond was stuffed for no gain and the Trojans took over practically in the red zone. They eventually scored on Maiava’s 2-yard pass to Riley Wormley.

MVP: USC’s Riley Wormley

The Trojans backup running back didn’t produce eye-popping stats but made a few of the biggest plays.

His 12-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter put USC ahead by two touchdowns before he added another score on a touchdown catch.

Wormley finished with 52 yards rushing in three carries, including a 27-yarder that was his team’s longest of the day.

Did you see that?

Only a few days after Riley said Caden Chittenden would eventually get to kick a field goal this season, it finally happened.

Twice.

Chittenden nailed a 35-yarder on the Trojans’ first drive of the game and added a 32-yarder late in the first half.

Up next

Things get real next weekend when the Trojans host No. 21 Oregon at the Coliseum. Riley is 0-2 against the Ducks, with both games having been played at Autzen Stadium.