Los Angeles, CA — Saturday night at the Coliseum had all the makings of a Hollywood reunion — nostalgia, emotion, and a few plot twists — but in the end, USC’s offensive firepower stole the show.
Jayden Maiava threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns, and Makai Lemon torched the Georgia Southern defense with two long first-quarter touchdown catches as No. 10 USC (2–0) cruised past the Eagles, 59–20, in a high-scoring performance against former head coach Clay Helton.
The Trojans racked up a staggering 755 yards of total offense, their highest output in the Lincoln Riley era. Georgia Southern, meanwhile, dropped to 0–2 after back-to-back road losses to open the season.
Explosive Start, Explosive Plays
It took USC just moments to get rolling.
After an early fumble gave Georgia Southern a brief lead, USC responded with a series of highlight-reel plays that showcased the program’s trademark speed and vertical threat. Freshman receiver Ja’Kobi Lane opened the scoring for the Trojans with a one-handed touchdown catch — all while being interfered with.
Then came Makai Lemon, who posted 158 receiving yards and two touchdowns — all in the first quarter. His first score came on a short pass he turned into a 62-yard sprint. Minutes later, he struck again with a 74-yard catch-and-run.
USC’s offense tallied seven plays of 35+ yards, a continuation of last week’s 73-point outburst against Missouri State.
“Winning the explosive play battle usually wins you games,” said USC head coach Lincoln Riley. “We’re making big plays all over the field, which is great, but we know we still need to tighten things up.”
Helton’s Return: A Bittersweet Night
This game marked Clay Helton’s first return to the Coliseum since his firing early in the 2021 season. Helton, who coached the Trojans for eight seasons, won a Pac-12 title and a Rose Bowl but fell short of national championship expectations.
The Coliseum welcomed him back with a rare in-game announcement by name, but the crowd response was mixed — mostly boos. Helton took it in stride.
“That’s the beauty of LA,” he said with a smile. “It’s a championship city. The fans care deeply — they compete like heck here.”
Helton’s Eagles managed 377 yards of offense, including two touchdown catches from Camden Brown, but couldn’t keep up with USC’s relentless pace. Georgia Southern has now allowed 101 points over its first two games.
Breakout Stars for the Trojans
Waymond Jordan, a JUCO transfer playing just his second game at USC, rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown — the most by any USC running back in Riley’s tenure.
Robert Lyons and Walker Lyons each added receiving scores, while Eli Sanders punched in two rushing touchdowns.
USC’s quarterback Jayden Maiava’s 412 passing yards rank 14th all-time in a single game in school history.
A Family Moment for the Heltons
Late in the game, a familiar name took the field for Georgia Southern: Turner Helton, Clay Helton’s son, who entered at quarterback in the fourth quarter.
A former Western Kentucky transfer, Turner grew up around the USC program, often spotted running on the Coliseum field before games. Saturday, he went 4-of-9 for 24 yards.
“We hugged before his first drive,” Clay Helton said. “You blink and suddenly they’re grown. I’m proud of him — not just as a player, but as a man.”
Takeaways
USC’s Offense: The Trojans are clicking early. Back-to-back games with over 70 and 59 points respectively, and a deep stable of playmakers, make them one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the country.
USC’s Defense: While the scoreline was lopsided, the defense showed cracks. Georgia Southern moved the ball effectively and consistently reached USC territory — a concern heading into tougher matchups.
“We’re not close to our best yet,” Riley admitted. “The film will show some plays that won’t work against top-tier opponents if we’re not sharper.”
What’s Next:
Georgia Southern: The Eagles will finally return home to face Jacksonville State on Sept. 13, hoping to rebound from their rough start.
USC: The Trojans begin Big Ten play with a trip to Purdue on Sept. 13, where their high-octane offense will face a new kind of test.
