USC Defeats Nebraska 28-20 Behind Maiava's Passing Game
USC dominated Nebraska 28-20 in Week 12, with quarterback Jayden Maiava leading the Trojans to victory. Maiava completed 259 passing yards, orchestrating an offensive attack that kept Nebraska's defense under pressure throughout the contest.
The scoring remained tight early, with both teams trading touchdowns in the first two quarters. USC's balanced attack proved decisive in the second half, as the Trojans scored seven points in both the third and fourth quarters while holding Nebraska scoreless in the final frame.
Duce Robinson was USC's receiving leader with 90 yards, including a highlight 48-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that proved pivotal. Nebraska's Emmett Johnson led the Cornhuskers' rushing attack with 55 yards, but the visitors couldn't generate enough offensive momentum down the stretch.
Nebraska's Dylan Raiola threw an interception in the fourth quarter that resulted in a touchback, effectively sealing USC's victory. The game featured 20 lead changes, indicating competitive back-and-forth play. USC covered the 6.5-point spread, improving their season record.
AI-generated recap · Sep 3, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nebraska | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
 USC | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Nebraska | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 27-38 | 25-35 |
| Pass Yards | 191 | 259 |
| Rush Yards | 119 | 185 |
| Total Yards | 310 | 444 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| 3rd Down | 5-13 | 6-13 |
| Penalties | 5-40 | 5-70 |
| Possession | 28:10 | 31:50 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 6 yds to the USC 31
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Duce Robinson
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Woody Marks for 6 yds to the USC 37 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for no gain to the USC 37
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Kyron Hudson
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Zachariah Branch
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 51 yds , Jacory Barney Jr. returns for no gain to the NEB 12
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jahmal Banks
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jahmal Banks for 8 yds to the NEB 20
Dante Dowdell run for 3 yds to the NEB 23 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola run for no gain to the NEB 23
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Dante Dowdell for 3 yds to the NEB 26
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Isaiah Neyor
Brian Buschini punt for 57 yds , Zachariah Branch returns for 9 yds to the USC 26
Woody Marks run for a loss of 1 yard to the USC 25
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Kyle Ford
Brian Buschini kickoff for 62 yds , Makai Lemon return for 32 yds to the USC 35
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 3 yds to the USC 32
Woody Marks run for 6 yds to the USC 38
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyle Ford for 18 yds to the NEB 44 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 5 yds to the NEB 39
Quinten Joyner run for 2 yds to the NEB 37
Quinten Joyner run for 6 yds to the NEB 31 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for a loss of 3 yards to the NEB 34
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Duce Robinson for 28 yds to the NEB 6 for a 1ST down
Zachariah Branch 6 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Michael Lantz Kick)
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jacory Barney Jr. for 4 yds to the NEB 29
Emmett Johnson run for 9 yds to the NEB 38 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Emmett Johnson for 4 yds to the NEB 42
Emmett Johnson run for 2 yds to the NEB 44
Dylan Raiola run for 2 yds to the NEB 46
Brian Buschini punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Zachariah Branch at the USC 14
Brian Buschini punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Zachariah Branch at the USC 14
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Woody Marks for 12 yds to the USC 26 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Lake McRee for 9 yds to the USC 35
Woody Marks run for 12 yds to the USC 47 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Makai Lemon for 7 yds to the NEB 46
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Woody Marks for 11 yds to the NEB 35 for a 1ST down Nebraska Penalty, UNR: Unnecessary Roughness (Stefon Thompson) to the NEB 20 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava run for 13 yds to the NEB 7 for a 1ST down
USC Penalty, UNR: Unnecessary Roughness (-15 Yards) to the NEB 17
(13:32) PENALTY NEB Offside (Robinson,Ty) 5 yards from NEB17 to NEB12. NO PLAY.
Kyron Hudson 12 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Michael Lantz Kick)
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jacory Barney Jr. for 5 yds to the NEB 30
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Luke Lindenmeyer for 8 yds to the NEB 38 for a 1ST down
Dante Dowdell run for 5 yds to the NEB 43
Dante Dowdell run for 1 yd to the NEB 44
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jahmal Banks for 16 yds to the USC 40 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jacory Barney Jr.
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jacory Barney Jr.
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Janiran Bonner for 11 yds to the USC 29 for a 1ST down
Emmett Johnson 29 Yd pass from Dylan Raiola (John Hohl Kick)
Woody Marks run for 16 yds to the USC 41 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava run for 4 yds to the NEB 45 for a 1ST down Nebraska Penalty, Defensive Holding (Ceyair Wright) to the NEB 45 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Zachariah Branch
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyle Ford for 10 yds to the NEB 35 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for no gain to the NEB 35
(07:03) No Huddle-Shotgun Maiava,Jayden pass incomplete short right to Joyner,Quinten thrown to NEB33 PENALTY USC Pass Interference (Joyner,Quinten) 15 yards from NEB35 to NEB50. NO PLAY.
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Woody Marks for 4 yds to the NEB 46
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Woody Marks
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 42 yds, fair catch by Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda at the NEB 4
(06:22) Shotgun Dowdell,Dante rush middle for 0 yards to the NEB04 (Fountain,Kameryn) PENALTY USC Illegal Use Of Hands (Abasiri,Jide) 15 yards from NEB04 to NEB19, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Isaiah Neyor for 4 yds to the NEB 23
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Janiran Bonner for 11 yds to the NEB 34 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Thomas Fidone II
Emmett Johnson run for 10 yds to the NEB 44 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 3 yds to the USC 32
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Duce Robinson for 5 yds to the USC 37
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Zachariah Branch
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 54 yds , Jacory Barney Jr. returns for 4 yds to the NEB 13
Emmett Johnson run for 4 yds to the NEB 17
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Emmett Johnson for 2 yds to the NEB 19
Dylan Raiola sacked by Elijah Hughes for a loss of 5 yards to the NEB 14
Brian Buschini punt for 45 yds, fair catch by Zachariah Branch at the USC 31
USC Penalty, UNR: Unnecessary Roughness (-15 Yards) to the USC 19
Woody Marks run for 20 yds to the USC 39
Quinten Joyner run for no gain to the USC 39
Eddie Czaplicki punt for 60 yds
Heinrich Haarberg run for 2 yds to the NEB 3
End of 2nd Quarter
Emmett Johnson run for 6 yds to the NEB 31
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Isaiah Neyor for 7 yds to the NEB 38 for a 1ST down
Dante Dowdell run for 20 yds to the USC 42 for a 1ST down
Dante Dowdell run for 3 yds to the USC 39
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jahmal Banks for 13 yds to the USC 26 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola run for 1 yd to the USC 25
Emmett Johnson run for 13 yds to the USC 12 for a 1ST down
Emmett Johnson run for 2 yds to the USC 10
Dylan Raiola sacked by Solomon Tuliaupupu for a loss of 1 yard to the USC 11
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jahmal Banks
John Hohl 29 Yd Field Goal
Woody Marks run for 4 yds to the USC 29
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Woody Marks for no gain to the USC 29
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyron Hudson for 21 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Kyron Hudson for 2 yds to the NEB 48
Duce Robinson 48 Yd pass from Jayden Maiava (Michael Lantz Kick)
Michael Lantz kickoff for 65 yds , Jacory Barney Jr. return for 23 yds to the NEB 23
Dante Dowdell run for 15 yds to the NEB 38 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Dante Dowdell for a loss of 1 yard to the NEB 37
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Janiran Bonner for a loss of 1 yard to the NEB 36
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jahmal Banks for 10 yds to the NEB 46
Brian Buschini punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Zachariah Branch at the USC 15
Jayden Maiava run for 11 yds to the USC 26 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava sacked by Ty Robinson for a loss of 10 yards to the USC 16 Jayden Maiava fumbled, recovered by NEB Mikai Gbayor , return for 0 yards
Emmett Johnson run for no gain to the USC 16
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Isaiah Neyor for 7 yds to the USC 9
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Emmett Johnson for 3 yds to the USC 12
John Hohl 30 Yd Field Goal
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 12 yds to the USC 37 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for 8 yds to the USC 45
Woody Marks run for 13 yds to the NEB 42 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for 3 yds to the NEB 39
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Zachariah Branch for 23 yds to the NEB 16 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for 2 yds to the NEB 14
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete to Kyron Hudson
Woody Marks run for 4 yds to the NEB 10
Michael Lantz 27 yd FG BLOCKED blocked by Ceyair Wright
Michael Lantz 27 yd FG BLOCKED blocked by Ceyair Wright (13:05) Lantz,Michael field goal attempt from 27 yards NO GOOD blocked by Wright,Ceyair (H: Czaplicki,Eddie, LS: Pepper,Hank), clock 12:58 recovered by USC O'Connor,Kilian at NEB20, End Of Play.
Heinrich Haarberg run for 13 yds to the NEB 33 for a 1ST down
Dante Dowdell run for 2 yds to the NEB 35
Dante Dowdell run for 3 yds to the NEB 38
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Emmett Johnson for 2 yds to the NEB 40
(10:31) PENALTY NEB Delay Of Game 5 yards from NEB40 to NEB35. NO PLAY.
Brian Buschini punt for 49 yds, fair catch by Zachariah Branch at the USC 16
Woody Marks run for 7 yds to the USC 23
Woody Marks run for 7 yds to the USC 30 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava pass incomplete
Woody Marks run for 5 yds to the USC 35
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Duce Robinson for 9 yds to the USC 44 for a 1ST down
Quinten Joyner run for 4 yds to the USC 48
run for 3 yds to the USC 45 fumbled, recovered by USC Jayden Maiava
Woody Marks run for 34 yds to the NEB 13 for a 1ST down
Woody Marks run for 4 yds to the NEB 9
Jayden Maiava pass complete to Quinten Joyner for 5 yds to the NEB 4
Quinten Joyner run for 2 yds to the NEB 2 for a 1ST down
Jayden Maiava 2 Yd Run (Michael Lantz Kick)
Emmett Johnson run for 6 yds to the NEB 31
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Thomas Fidone II for no gain to the NEB 31
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Emmett Johnson for 1 yd to the NEB 32
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Thomas Fidone II for 9 yds to the NEB 41 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jahmal Banks for 8 yds to the NEB 49
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jacory Barney Jr.
Emmett Johnson run for 3 yds to the USC 48 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Emmett Johnson for 1 yd to the USC 47
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Nate Boerkircher for 9 yds to the USC 38 for a 1ST down
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jacory Barney Jr.
Dylan Raiola pass incomplete to Jaylen Lloyd
Dylan Raiola pass complete to Jaylen Lloyd for 24 yds to the USC 14 for a 1ST down
(00:05) PENALTY NEB False Start 5 yards from USC14 to USC19. NO PLAY.
Dylan Raiola pass intercepted, touchback.