Quinten Joyner showcased an impressive performance, rushing for 84 yards and scoring two touchdowns, as No. 13 USC Football celebrated its first shutout since 2011 with a convincing 48-0 win over Utah State on Saturday night.
In his first home start, Miller Moss threw for 229 yards and a touchdown in just 2.5 quarters of play. Woody Marks also contributed significantly, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown, while A’Marion Peterson added a scoring run of his own.
The Trojans maintained control throughout the matchup at the Coliseum, following their strong season opener against LSU with another strong demonstration of their transformed defense from last season.
“It’s very hard to shut people out in modern-day college football, so I’m really proud of us maintaining our play defensively the entire night,” said coach Lincoln Riley. “The offense did a good job running the ball, and that was a big emphasis point.”
Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s unit held the Aggies to just 190 total yards, with 40 of those yards coming in a final drive against USC’s reserves, which concluded with a missed 52-yard field goal attempt.
USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold highlighted the team’s defensive growth, noting that the statistics may not fully reflect their achievements, but the team is aware of their potential and executed well.
The Trojans’ first-half shutout was notably their first in any half since the 2022 season, and they secured their first complete shutout in 153 games since their decisive 50-0 win over UCLA in 2011.
Makai Lemon added a touchdown reception just before halftime, while Marks also made three receptions on top of his rushing performance, extending his streak to 47 consecutive games with a reception.
For Utah State, Bryson Barnes threw for 103 yards but faced challenges against USC’s formidable defense. This marked the first loss for interim head coach Nate Dreiling, who stepped up just two months ago following a tumultuous coaching change.
Dreiling praised USC’s explosive offense and sound defensive play, stating, “They have length, and now they know how to use their length. That’s why they have a chance to be one of the best offenses, and potentially one of the best defenses.”
UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava took over for Moss, adding a touchdown run in the fourth quarter and completing 66 passing yards while leading two scoring drives during USC’s 544-yard offensive display.
A power outage on the north side of the Coliseum led to delays, but power was restored before the game was canceled. Riley humorously recalled the near interruption to the game with Dreiling, who joked about the implications of a cancelled match.
Looking ahead, the Aggies aim to regain their offensive rhythm, while USC appears in strong form, as they prepare to face No. 10 Michigan next Saturday, followed by a home matchup against Wisconsin in their inaugural Big Ten game.