USC Football Dominates Missouri State in Season Opener
The University of Southern California (USC) football team kicked off their 2025 season with a resounding 73-13 victory over Missouri State at the Coliseum. The Trojans’ high-powered offense and stifling defense proved too much for the visiting team, as they scored the most points in a game since 1930. The matchup was initially intended to be a marquee non-conference game against Mississippi, but the cancellation of that game led to Missouri State filling the slot.
A Smooth Start for the Trojans
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava had a nearly flawless performance, completing 15 of 18 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns before being relieved at halftime. The offense averaged an impressive 7.6 yards per carry and broke off three plays of 60-plus yards. The defense, which was a focal point of the offseason, tallied five sacks and held Missouri State to just 224 yards. A pick-six by safety Bishop Fitzgerald and a near-interception by reserve defensive end Garrett Pomerantz highlighted the Trojans’ defensive prowess.
The game was all but over by the end of the first quarter, with USC scoring 21 unanswered points. Missouri State managed to reach the end zone once, but the Trojans outscored them 45-3 from there. The USC offense was relentless, with touchdowns coming from a 75-yard rush by King Miller, a 73-yard screen to Eli Sanders, and three rushing touchdowns from Maiava and freshman Husan Longstreet. The Coliseum crowd began to clear in the fourth quarter, as the game became more about mercy than competition.
A New Era for USC Football
The 2025 season marks a new era for USC football, with the team having left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten and Lincoln Riley at the helm. The cancellation of the Mississippi game and the subsequent scheduling of Missouri State raised questions about the team’s approach to non-conference scheduling. However, the Trojans’ dominant performance on Saturday suggests that they are ready to make a statement in their new conference. With a smooth start under their belt, USC will look to build on this momentum as they head into the rest of their schedule.
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