MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Los Angeles) – USC’s offense exploded for 755 yards of total offense in a 59-20 rout of Georgia Southern Saturday before 66,414 fans at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans have scored 134 points in their first two games.

446 of those yards came through the air as quarterback Jayden Maiava had a huge day for the USC. The running attack was working as well with Waymond Jordan leading the way.

The Trojans led 31-13 at halftime and then blew it wide open in the second half.

Georgia Southern, led by former USC head coach Clay Helton, actually scored first. USC running back Waymond Jordan fumbled on the opening possession setting up Georgia Southern in Trojans territory. The Eagles cashed in on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Weston Bryan to Camden Brown. Georgia Southern missed on a two-point conversion to lead 6-0.

USC quickly responded with an 8-play, 75-yard drive. Jayden Maiava connected with Ja’Kobi Lane, who made a spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown and a 7-6 lead.

After forcing an Eagles punt, USC needed just two plays to score again. Makai Lemon caught a Maiava pass, broke a tackle and was off the the races for a 62-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a 14-6 lead mid-way through the first quarter.

Lemon got loose on the next series as well on a 74-yard catch and run for a score. After hauling in Maiava’s pass he simply outran the Georgia Southern secondary to the finish line to make it 21-6 with 2:14 left in the first quarter.

Georgia Southern pieced together a 7-play, 75-yard drive of its own. Camden Brown caught his second touchdown pass of the day – this time from JC French IV for 24 yards to cut the Trojans lead to 21-13.

Ryon Sunseri kicked a 26-yard field goal with 8:52 left in the second quarter to make it 24-13.

The Trojans stopped Georgia Southern on fourth down on their own 23-yard line. Then they marched 77 yards on four plays with Maiava hooking up with Walker Lyons for a 13-yard score with 3:31 left in the second quarter.

USC took a 31-13 lead into halftime.

Jordan busted off a 36-yard touchdown run to cap a 71-yard drive to open the third quarter as the Trojans built a 25-point lead.

A 60-yard pass from Maiava to Zacharyus Williams led to a one-yard touchdown blast by Eli Sanders to put the Cardinal and Gold up 45-13 with 7:58 left in the third quarter.

The Eagles got their first score of the second half as French found Dalen Cobb in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass to finish a 15-play, 81-yard march with 1:34 left in the third quarter.

Sanders picked up his second touchdown of the day on a five -yard jaunt early in the fourth quarter to cap a 79-yard drive as the Trojans surpassed the 50 -plateau for the second straight week.

King Miller busted off a 41-yard touchdown run late in the game for the Trojans final tally.

Maiava completed 16 of 24 for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns. Husan Longstreet relieved him in the fourth quarter and went 4 of 6 for 34 yards.

Lemon had 4 receptions for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns and Lane had 3 for 91 and a score. Jordan highlighted the rushing attack with 167 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Miller had 55 and a touchdown and Sanders scored twice and totaled 52 yards.

For the Eagles French threw for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns and Jamarian Samuel ran for 58 yards as Georgia Southern had 377 total yards. But it was completely overshadowed by the Trojans onslaught.

USC improved to 2-0 with the victory but now things get a little more difficult. The Trojans travel to Purdue next Saturday to face the Boilermakers. Georgia Southern fell to 0-2.

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