LOS ANGELES — The USC Trojans opened their 2025 season with a bang, storming onto the field alongside special guest and former USC star wide receiver Drake London, now with the Atlanta Falcons. The energy at the Coliseum was electric, and the Trojans matched it with a dominant on-field performance, cruising to a 73-13 blowout victory.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava led the charge for the USC offense, orchestrating a relentless attack that had the Trojans up 42-10 by halftime. The first touchdown of the season came from running back Waymond Jordan, who set the tone early with a powerful run into the end zone.
Tight end Lake McRee provided one of the highlights of the night when he took a short 8-yard pass and turned it into a stunning 64-yard touchdown, showcasing unexpected speed in the open field. Moments later, safety Bishop Fitzgerald made a statement on defense with a pick-six that extended the lead to 28-3.
Still in the second quarter, running back Eli Sanders—one of the most anticipated newcomers this season—flashed his explosiveness with a dazzling 73-yard touchdown reception, drawing roars from the USC faithful.
Makai Lemon, projected by many as the top receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft, caught 7 passes for 90 yards. Fellow star wideout Jakobi Lane added 3 receptions for 33 yards.
With the game well in hand, the Trojans gave fans a glimpse of the future in the second half. Highly touted 5-star freshman quarterback Husan Longstreet, out of Corona Centennial in the Inland Empire, made his collegiate debut. Ranked as the No. 3 player in California and No. 32 nationally, Longstreet wasted no time making an impression, capping off a drive with a rushing touchdown of his own. He finished with 2 touchdowns on the run and 1 by air.
It was a complete team performance from start to finish, giving USC fans plenty of reasons to be excited for the season ahead.
Final Score: USC 73, Opponent 13
From explosive plays to promising debuts, the Trojans gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about—and early signs point to this being one of the most exciting USC squads in recent memory.