USC's highly-touted freshmen class was on display in Week Zero win over San Jose State

The USC Trojans kicked off their 2026 campaign with a decisive 42-26 victory over a San Jose State squad that proved to be one of the more potent offenses on the West Coast. USC dominated early, building a commanding 28-0 halftime lead and extending it to 35-3 before resting their starters in the second half.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava picked up exactly where he left off last season, validating myweekly predictionwith a surgical performance. Maiava commanded the offense with precision, accounting for three total touchdowns and over 280 passing yards. He was pulled after the third quarter, marking the second consecutive season opener in which Maiava sat out the final frame due to building a massive lead.

USC gets a ton a freshmen on the field in season-opening triumph

A major talking point heading into today's season opener was the debut of the true freshmen comprising the No. 1 ranked 2026 recruiting class. The newcomers did not disappoint, with many making immediate impacts on the game. However, wide receiver Trent Mosley stole the show with an impressive 100-plus yard performance in his collegiate debut, becoming the first Trojan receiver to achieve that feat since JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2014.

Joining Mosley in the end zone were fellow true freshmen Jayden Dixon-Wyatt, who hauled in a quick slant from Maiava at the goal line, and running back Shahn Alston, who bulldozed into the end zone after the starters were rested. Running back Riley Wormley also found the end zone along with King Miller.

The Trojans dominated the ground game and dictated the pace for much of the afternoon. Luke Wafle also established himself early, earning widespread recognition across the college football landscape for his standout performance.

"First three quarters, a lot of really good football out there with all three sides playing complimentary. They dominated the game for three quarters. Exciting ball and a lot of our guys' first games as Trojans. They made a lot of big plays, so obviously that was the highlight of it," Lincoln Riley said in the post-game media session.

In total, three of USC’s touchdowns were scored by true freshmen. While the secondary left some room for improvement, the primary starters and contributors on that side of the ball managed a first-half shutout and allowed only three points overall. The Trojans are not a polished product yet, but that is perfectly fine. The non-conference schedule and the opening month of the season provide the team with the necessary time to refine their execution and address minor issues before the intensity of the schedule ramps up.

Looking ahead, the Trojans will host in-state opponent Fresno State this coming Friday, September 4, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 PM PST (9:00 PM EST).

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