Los Angeles, CA — Quinten Joyner ran for 84 yards and scored two touchdowns, while No. 13 Southern California’s rejuvenated defense secured the Trojans’ first shutout since 2011 with a 48-0 victory over Utah State on Saturday night.
In his first home start, Miller Moss threw for 229 yards and a touchdown, playing only the first two-and-a-half quarters for the Trojans (2-0).
USC dominated throughout the game at the Coliseum, building on their impressive season-opening win against LSU. This victory highlighted the significant improvement in their defense compared to last season’s struggles.
“Shutting out teams in modern college football is tough, so I’m proud of our defense for staying strong all night. Our complementary play was excellent, and the offense ran the ball well, which was a key focus,” said head coach Lincoln Riley.
Following their defense limiting LSU to 20 points last week, USC’s defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s unit allowed just 190 yards against the Aggies (1-1). Of those, 40 yards came during Utah State’s final drive, which ended with a missed 52-yard field goal attempt.
USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, whose late first-half interception set up the Trojans’ third touchdown, commented, “This game showed how much our defense has grown. The scoreboard doesn’t always reflect that, but our execution was spot on today.”
The Trojans’ first-half shutout was their first since 2022, and they completed their first full game shutout in 153 games, the last being a 50-0 win over UCLA in 2011.
Makai Lemon caught a touchdown pass before halftime, and Woody Marks, a Mississippi State transfer, made his home debut with 103 rushing yards, a touchdown, and three catches, continuing his streak of catching a pass in 47 straight games — the longest active streak in the nation.
Aggies quarterback Bryson Barnes threw for 103 yards but was unable to replicate his previous success at the Coliseum. Last season, Barnes led Utah to a 34-32 win over USC while replacing an injured Cam Rising.
The defeat was the first for Aggies interim head coach Nate Dreiling, who took over two months ago following Blake Anderson’s departure.
“This USC offense is incredibly explosive, but their defense has become just as sound,” Dreiling said. “They’ve always had talent, but now they’re playing disciplined football. That’s a complete team right there.”
USC’s backup quarterback, UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava, finished the game for Moss, contributing a rushing touchdown and throwing for 66 yards, as the Trojans racked up 544 total yards on offense.
A power outage went out on the north side of the Coliseum forced the teams to begin the second half in less light than usual, and the contest was delayed for a few minutes in the fourth quarter when all of the north-side lights went out.
“Right as we were considering maybe not playing anymore, (the lights) came on, so that was good,” Riley said.
Power was eventually restored to the two main light towers.
“They were talking about calling the game, right?” Dreiling said. “So I asked Lincoln Riley, ‘Does that go as a draw for both teams?’ He didn’t think it was as funny as I did.”
UP NEXT:
Utah State: Hosts No. 11 Utah on Saturday.
USC: At No. 10 Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 21 for the Trojans’ Big Ten debut.
