Five Jaw-Dropping Stats from USC's Road Victory Over Nebraska

In a high-stakes matchup that could shape the future of the No. 20 USC Trojans' College Football Playoff aspirations, their 21-17 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers proved to be a crucial win. While the game wasn't a showcase of clean execution or aesthetic play, it was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. The win keeps the Trojans' playoff hopes alive as they head into two consecutive home games, starting with a Friday night showdown against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Six Wins for USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley

Despite questions about his leadership during the offseason and a loss to No. 12 Notre Dame, coach Lincoln Riley has continued to guide the Trojans toward bowl eligibility. His first bowl appearance at USC saw them fall in a thrilling 46-45 shootout to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, finishing the season with an 11-3 record. Riley's second bowl win came in the DirectTV Holiday Bowl in San Diego, where the Trojans defeated Louisville 42-28. Last year, they secured a 35-31 win over Texas A&M in Las Vegas.

The win over Nebraska marked the fourth straight time the Trojans have gone bowling under Riley. As he told the media last week, "We still control our destiny." With the season far from over, the team is focused on making a run for the College Football Playoff. If they can win out, a first-time CFP bid could be within reach.

135 Passing Yards for USC

For an offense known for its dynamic passing and running game, the Trojans' pass performance against Nebraska was their worst in seven years. The 135 yards combined by quarterbacks JT Daniels and Matt Fink were the lowest since 2018, when they managed just 132 yards in a 41-28 loss to Utah.

The pass game struggled throughout the first half, with wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon failing to make an impact. Lemon, who leads the Big Ten in receiving yards with 776, finished with just two catches for 18 yards. Lane also had a season-low 22 receiving yards. Quarterback Jayden Maiava threw an interception that was particularly frustrating, as it was a perfect pass intended for Lane but fell into the hands of Nebraska's Andrew Marshall.

However, Riley adjusted the strategy, focusing more on the run game. This shift helped elevate the offensive performance, especially with the contributions of running back King Miller and Maiava.

62 Rushing Yards from Jayden Maiava

While Maiava is known for his arm, his rushing ability has proven to be a valuable asset. In recent games, he hasn't fully utilized his speed, with his most rushing yards coming from the Michigan State game, where he gained 31 yards. Against Nebraska, that trend changed.

When the pass game struggled against Nebraska’s top-ranked pass defense, Maiava took matters into his own hands, rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown. His rushing touchdown gave USC a chance to catch up, and with a successful two-point conversion, the score was tied at 14-14.

Miller also delivered a strong performance, rushing for 128 yards and one touchdown, marking his second 100-yard game of the season. If Maiava continues to contribute on the ground, the USC offense could become even more formidable.

USC Did Not Score a Touchdown in the First Half

Echoing the struggles of the passing game, the Trojans failed to score a touchdown in the first half. Although Miller and Maiava had some success on the ground, the red zone remained a challenge. This forced kicker Ryon Sayeri and the special teams to step in for two field goals in the first half.

For an offense that leads the nation in offensive yards per game (530) through week 9, the inability to find the end zone in the first 30 minutes was concerning. However, Riley emphasized that this is part of the process. "You play quarterback long enough, there's gonna be games like this where things are just a little bit out of whack," he said. "Your ability to hang in there and keep swinging and find a way to make winning plays — that's what the really good ones do."

Nebraska’s 29th Straight Loss to AP Top 25 Teams

Despite Nebraska's efforts to create an intimidating atmosphere, including a blackout theme and coach Matt Rhule's contract extension, the Trojans remained focused and pulled off a road win. This was especially significant after last season, when USC struggled on the road. The 86,000-person crowd in Lincoln, Nebraska, did not faze the Trojans, who played with confidence and determination.

This win improved USC's record to 4-1 in Big Ten play and 6-2 overall, setting up a crucial matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.