Trojans Get Tough Win at Purdue
USC opened Big Ten play with a statement road win, grinding out a 33-17 victory over Purdue in a game delayed three hours by weather. The Trojans improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, showing resilience in their first test away from home.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
USC opened Big Ten play with a statement road win, grinding out a 33-17 victory over Purdue in a game delayed three hours by weather. The Trojans improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, showing resilience in their first test away from home.
Strong Start Behind Maiava
Quarterback Jayden Maiava wasted no time making an impact, connecting with Ja’Kobi Lane for a 54-yard strike on his very first pass attempt. Maiava finished 17 of 28 for 282 yards while adding a rushing touchdown. Running back Waymond Jordan also found the end zone, carrying 18 times for 77 yards. Eli Sanders chipped in 75 yards on 10 carries.
Though USC entered the matchup as the nation’s highest-scoring team, the Boilermakers held the Trojans to a season-low 33 points. Still, the balance on offense combined with timely defensive plays proved enough.
Jarrett’s Big-Man Moment
The game’s defining highlight came from an unlikely source. Defensive lineman Jamal Jarrett, all 360 pounds of him, intercepted a deflected pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the win. It was the Trojans’ second defensive score in three games.
“I think the whole sideline was running with him,” safety Bishop Fitzgerald said with a laugh.
Defensive Stands and Delays
Fitzgerald played a starring role as well, snagging two interceptions in the red zone—including one late in the fourth to end Purdue’s comeback hopes.
The long night began with frustration as players and fans waited out a lightning delay. “We were literally walking out to the field and then we had a delay,” Fitzgerald recalled. “It’s 30 minutes, then turns into an hour. Coach Riley comes back and says we’ve got another hour.”
The defense responded once play began, holding Purdue to 17 points and improving head coach Lincoln Riley’s career record to 38-0 when his teams keep opponents under 20.
Purdue Fights Back
Purdue (2-1, 0-1) pulled out every trick to stay close. In the third quarter, quarterback Ryan Browne executed a gadget play that featured two laterals before he found the end zone. Browne later scored the first rushing touchdown against USC this season on a 34-yard scramble after scooping up an errant lateral. He finished 24 of 39 for 305 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
“We’ve got to be aggressive on offense,” head coach Barry Odom said. “Sometimes that means deceptive plays. Tonight we needed to call those.”
Looking Ahead
USC: Hosts Michigan State next Saturday at the Coliseum.
Purdue: Travels to face No. 8 Notre Dame.
