USC Dominates Northwestern in Week 11 Blowout
USC defeated Northwestern 38-17 on Saturday in Week 11, with the Trojans controlling the game behind a strong offensive performance. Quarterback Jayden Maiava led the USC attack, completing passes for 299 yards and connecting with receiver Walker Lyons nine times. Running back Bryan Jackson added 8 rushing attempts for the Trojans.
The game remained relatively competitive early, with both teams scoring 7 points in the first quarter. USC pulled away decisively in the second quarter, outscoring Northwestern 14-7 to take a commanding lead. The Trojans added another touchdown in the third quarter before closing out the victory with 10 fourth-quarter points.
Northwestern's defense was challenged throughout, particularly in the second and third quarters when USC executed several big plays, including a 55-yard rushing touchdown, a 52-yard passing completion, and a 42-yard pass completion that set up scores.
The final margin of 21 points well exceeded the pregame spread of 14.5 points in USC's favor, and the combined 55 points surpassed the over-under total of 54.0.
AI-generated recap · Jul 31, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Northwestern | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
 USC | 7 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Northwestern | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 20-30 | 25-34 |
| Pass Yards | 150 | 309 |
| Rush Yards | 130 | 173 |
| Total Yards | 280 | 482 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| 3rd Down | 4-12 | 6-11 |
| Penalties | 2-26 | 4-30 |
| Possession | 27:24 | 32:36 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
(14:56) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #87 L.McRee caught at USC23, for 5 yards to the USC23 (#18 G.Wallace)
(14:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #30 K.Miller caught at USC16, for 2 yards to the USC25 (#33 B.Brus)
(13:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #6 M.Lemon caught at USC26, for 19 yards to the USC44 (#6 R.Fitzgerald), 1ST DOWN
(13:29) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 1 yard gain to the USC45 (#1 C.Bastone). #1 C.Bastone injured on the play
(13:03) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #87 L.McRee caught at USC50, for 5 yards to the USC50 (#33 B.Brus)
(12:27) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short middle to #85 W.Lyons caught at NU41, for 9 yards to the NU41 (#2 F.Davis II), 1ST DOWN
(12:05) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete deep middle to #6 M.Lemon thrown to NU00
(12:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 12 yards gain to the NU29 (#37 M.Uihlein; #6 R.Fitzgerald), 1ST DOWN
(11:25) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #8 J.Lane caught at NU21, for 8 yards to the NU21 (#33 B.Brus)
(10:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete short middle to #87 L.McRee thrown to NU18
(10:48) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU20 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(10:04) No Huddle #14 J.Maiava rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU18 (#37 M.Uihlein), 1ST DOWN
(09:22) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 B.Jackson rush middle for 0 yards to the NU18 (#1 C.Bastone; #91 A.Hubbard)
(08:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #8 J.Lane caught at NU08, for 11 yards to the NU07 (#9 B.Turner), 1ST DOWN, PENALTY NU Pass Interference declined
(08:28) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU07, for 0 yards to the NU07 (#33 B.Brus)
(07:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU04, for 7 yards to the NU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:46 #48 R.Sayeri kick attempt good (H: #80 S.Johnson, LS: #31 H.Pepper)
(07:46) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU27 (#97 J.Abasiri)
(07:07) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short middle to #19 D.Wagner caught at NU33, for 6 yards to the NU33 (#7 K.Ramsey)
(06:31) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU35 (#97 J.Abasiri), 1ST DOWN
(06:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #19 D.Wagner caught at NU33, for 6 yards to the NU41 (#24 C.Pierce), out of bounds
(05:25) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 14 yards gain to the USC45 (#18 E.Gentry), 1ST DOWN
(04:45) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #5 C.Komolafe caught at USC50, for 9 yards to the USC36 (#25 M.Williams), out of bounds
(04:11) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush middle for 5 yards gain to the USC31 (#7 K.Ramsey), 1ST DOWN
(03:28) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush middle for 5 yards gain to the USC26 (#1 K.Crawford)
(02:43) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right thrown to USC26 QB hurried by #18 E.Gentry
(02:36) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #5 C.Komolafe caught at USC22, for 18 yards to the USC08 (#23 D.Stephens II), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(02:16) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 1 yard gain to the USC07 (#6 A.Lucas)
(01:33) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the USC04 (#25 M.Williams; #18 E.Gentry)
(00:49) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at USC02, for 4 yards to the USC00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 00:45 #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(00:39) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush left for 4 yards gain to the USC46 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(00:05) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete short middle to #87 L.McRee thrown to USC45
(15:00) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush left for 0 yards to the USC46 (#37 M.Uihlein; #18 G.Wallace)
(14:24) #80 S.Huard pass complete short left to #16 T.Hines caught at NU45, for 10 yards to the NU44, out of bounds at NU44, 1ST DOWN
(13:48) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete deep right to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU20, for 24 yards to the NU20, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(13:20) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava rush right for 11 yards gain to the NU09 (#6 R.Fitzgerald), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(12:52) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU07 (#95 N.Story)
(12:19) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #30 K.Miller caught at NU06, for 1 yard to the NU06 (#6 R.Fitzgerald; #13 J.Fussell)
(11:35) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava rush right for 6 yards gain to the NU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 11:27 #48 R.Sayeri kick attempt good (H: #80 S.Johnson, LS: #31 H.Pepper)
(11:27) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #19 D.Wagner caught at NU24, for 8 yards to the NU33 (#25 M.Williams)
(10:51) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 9 yards gain to the NU42 (#19 B.Fitzgerald; #7 K.Ramsey), 1ST DOWN
(10:27) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #80 H.Eligon II caught at NU46, for 5 yards to the NU47 (#17 D.Nicholson)
(09:46) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush right for 8 yards gain to the USC45 (#23 D.Stephens II), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(09:11) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #19 D.Wagner caught at USC49, for 6 yards to the USC39 (#7 K.Ramsey)
(08:28) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 37 yards gain to the USC02 (#7 K.Ramsey), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(07:43) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the USC00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:26 #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(07:26) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete deep middle to #87 L.McRee caught at USC48, for 42 yards to the NU33 (#33 B.Brus), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(07:01) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short middle to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU30, for 3 yards to the NU30 (#9 B.Turner)
(06:28) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete deep right to #16 T.Hines caught at NU00, for 30 yards to the NU00 TOUCHDOWN nullified by penalty, clock 06:20 PENALTY USC Ineligible Downfield on Pass (#74 J.Tauanuu) 5 yards from NU30 to NU35. NO PLAY
(06:20) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete deep middle to #6 M.Lemon thrown to NU05
(06:15) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava sacked for loss of 9 yards to the NU44 (#95 N.Story)
(05:25) #80 S.Johnson punt 23 yards to the NU21
(05:16) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #10 R.Ahumaraeze thrown to NU26 broken up by #19 B.Fitzgerald
(05:12) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NU24 (#1 K.Crawford; #18 E.Gentry)
(04:23) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NU18, for 6 yards to the NU30 (#10 B.Shelby; #24 C.Pierce), out of bounds
(03:39) #11 L.Akers punt 49 yards to the USC21 fair catch by #6 M.Lemon at USC21
(03:32) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush right for 3 yards gain to the USC24 (#18 G.Wallace)
(02:47) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 55 yards gain to the NU25 (#2 F.Davis II), 1ST DOWN
(02:00) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #8 J.Lane caught at NU12, for 13 yards to the NU12, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(01:28) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush left for 12 yards gain to the NU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 01:24, 1ST DOWN #48 R.Sayeri kick attempt good (H: #80 S.Johnson, LS: #31 H.Pepper)
(01:19) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU31 (#97 J.Abasiri)
(01:15) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #19 D.Wagner thrown to USC50
(01:10) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep right to #17 G.Wilde thrown to USC45 broken up by #17 D.Nicholson
(01:04) #11 L.Akers punt 46 yards to the USC23 fair catch by #6 M.Lemon at USC23
(00:57) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete deep right to #16 T.Hines thrown to NU48
(00:51) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #8 J.Lane caught at USC28, for 5 yards to the USC28 (#33 B.Brus)
(00:36) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete deep right to #6 M.Lemon thrown to NU45 broken up by #7 O.Adeyi
(00:24) #80 S.Johnson punt 41 yards to the NU31 fair catch by #19 D.Wagner at NU31 PENALTY USC Illegal Formation (#10 B.Shelby) 5 yards from NU31 to NU36
(00:18) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short middle to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NU40, for 8 yards to the NU44 (#23 D.Stephens II; #22 B.Conley). #1 K.Crawford injured on the play
(00:03) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush left for 7 yards gain to the NU50 fumbled by #41 R.Preckel at NU50 forced by #97 J.Abasiri recovered by USC #6 A.Lucas at NU50, End Of Play
(00:09) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NU40, for 1 yard loss to the NU43 (#10 B.Shelby)
(15:00) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU26, for 3 yards to the NU28 (#22 B.Conley)
(14:22) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 21 yards gain to the NU49 (#19 B.Fitzgerald), 1ST DOWN
(14:01) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU45, for 0 yards to the NU49 (#17 D.Nicholson)
(13:13) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep right to #17 G.Wilde thrown to USC25 broken up by #22 B.Conley
(13:07) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 7 yards gain to the USC44 (#8 D.Thompkins)
(12:16) #11 L.Akers punt 35 yards to the USC09 fair catch by #6 M.Lemon at USC09
(12:08) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short middle to #6 M.Lemon caught at USC17, for 14 yards to the USC23 (#6 R.Fitzgerald), 1ST DOWN
(11:40) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete deep middle to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU48, for 52 yards to the NU25 (#2 F.Davis II), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(11:06) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete deep right to #6 M.Lemon thrown to NU02
(11:02) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 0 yards to the NU25 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(10:22) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #8 J.Lane caught at NU12, for 13 yards to the NU12, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
(09:44) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 B.Jackson rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU10 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
PENALTY USC False Start (#77 A.Noa) 5 yards from NU10 to NU15. NO PLAY
(08:42) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush left for 5 yards gain to the NU10 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(08:01) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #8 J.Lane caught at NU00, for 10 yards to the NU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 07:56, 1ST DOWN #48 R.Sayeri kick attempt good (H: #80 S.Johnson, LS: #31 H.Pepper)
(07:56) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU27 (#18 E.Gentry; #1 K.Crawford)
(07:05) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep left to #17 G.Wilde thrown to USC48 PENALTY USC Pass Interference (#22 B.Conley) 15 yards from NU27 to NU42, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(07:00) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #84 H.Welcing caught at NU38, for 4 yards loss to the NU38 (#22 B.Conley)
(06:15) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #80 H.Eligon II caught at USC49, for 13 yards to the USC49, out of bounds at USC49
(05:46) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 0 yards to the USC49 (#7 K.Ramsey)
(05:03) #86 L.Albright rush middle for 2 yards gain to the USC47 (#4 J.Stewart), 1ST DOWN
(04:23) #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #86 L.Albright caught at USC45, for 3 yards to the USC44 (#17 D.Nicholson)
(03:42) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush left for 0 yards to the USC44 (#22 B.Conley)
(02:52) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep right to #10 R.Ahumaraeze caught at USC16, for 32 yards to the USC12 (#22 B.Conley), 1ST DOWN. #60 E.Beerntsen injured on the play
(02:00) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #84 H.Welcing thrown to USC00
(01:55) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the USC10 (#9 K.Silver)
(01:10) Shotgun #8 P.Stone sacked for loss of 5 yards to the USC15 (#97 J.Abasiri)
(00:20) #82 J.Olsen field goal attempt from 33 yards GOOD (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine), clock 00:17
(00:17) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #6 M.Lemon caught at USC30, for 11 yards to the USC36 (#18 G.Wallace), 1ST DOWN
(15:00) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 4 yards loss to the USC32 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(14:16) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #8 J.Lane caught at USC44, for 14 yards to the USC46 (#7 O.Adeyi), 1ST DOWN
(13:36) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush right for 13 yards gain to the NU41 (#6 R.Fitzgerald), 1ST DOWN
(12:50) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short left to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU25, for 19 yards to the NU22 (#13 J.Fussell), 1ST DOWN
(12:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU25, for 3 yards to the NU19 (#9 B.Turner), out of bounds
(11:24) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete short right to #8 J.Lane thrown to NU00 PENALTY NU Pass Interference (#9 B.Turner) 15 yards from NU19 to NU04, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(11:18) No Huddle #6 M.Lemon rush left for 4 yards gain to the NU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 11:14 #48 R.Sayeri kick attempt good (H: #80 S.Johnson, LS: #31 H.Pepper)
(11:08) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NU34, for 16 yards to the NU38 (#25 M.Williams), 1ST DOWN
(10:31) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 4 yards gain to the NU42 (#92 C.Jones)
(10:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #84 H.Welcing caught at NU43, for 6 yards to the NU48 (#19 B.Fitzgerald), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(09:59) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 5 yards gain to the USC47 (#24 C.Pierce)
(09:33) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep right to #19 D.Wagner thrown to USC25
(09:28) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short middle thrown to USC47 QB hurried by #7 K.Ramsey
(09:25) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short middle to #10 R.Ahumaraeze thrown to USC29 broken up by #17 D.Nicholson, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(09:19) Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NU47 (#1 C.Bastone)
(08:37) No Huddle-Shotgun #30 K.Miller rush right for 18 yards gain to the NU29 (#18 G.Wallace), 1ST DOWN
(07:47) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 B.Jackson rush left for 0 yards to the NU29 (#37 M.Uihlein; #47 M.Kilbane)
(07:04) No Huddle-Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass complete short right to #6 M.Lemon caught at NU21, for 9 yards to the NU20 (#13 J.Fussell), out of bounds PENALTY NU Face Mask (#13 J.Fussell) 11 yard from NU20 to NU09, 1ST DOWN
(06:32) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 B.Jackson rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NU08 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(05:39) No Huddle-Shotgun #21 B.Jackson rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NU03 (#91 A.Hubbard). #50 J.Reed injured on the play
(04:53) Shotgun #14 J.Maiava pass incomplete short right to #87 L.McRee thrown to NU02 broken up by #33 B.Brus
(04:44) #48 R.Sayeri field goal attempt from 22 yards GOOD (H: #80 S.Johnson, LS: #31 H.Pepper), clock 04:40
(04:40) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #10 R.Ahumaraeze caught at NU29, for 6 yards to the NU31 (#22 B.Conley; #14 T.Robinson)
(04:10) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone sacked for loss of 10 yards to the NU21 (#4 J.Stewart)
(03:28) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep middle to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NU48 broken up by #24 C.Pierce
(03:21) #11 L.Akers punt 51 yards to the USC28 #44 J.Zamora return 5 yards to the USC33 (#18 G.Wallace), out of bounds
(03:13) Shotgun #25 H.Dalton III rush right for 4 yards gain to the USC37 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
(02:26) Shotgun #25 H.Dalton III rush middle for 3 yards gain to the USC40 (#44 C.Campbell)
(02:00) Shotgun #25 H.Dalton III rush left for 12 yards gain to the NU48 (#37 M.Uihlein), 1ST DOWN
(01:17) Shotgun #27 R.Wormley rush middle for 6 yards gain to the NU42 (#33 B.Brus; #9 B.Turner)
(00:29) Kneel down by USC at NU43 for loss of 1 yard