Jayden Maiava finds Kyle Ford for go-ahead TD, sends USC past Texas A&M in Las Vegas Bowl
After a relatively quiet first half in Friday’s Las Vegas Bowl, the second half delivered in a big way. USC came all the way back against Texas A&M, and it led to quite the back-and-forth in the final two minutes that ended in spectacular fashion.
USC got all the way down to the Texas A&M 2-yard line when a penalty backed them up to about the 7-yard line. That’s when Jayden Maiava connected with Kyle Ford for a touchdown with eight seconds to go, putting the Trojans on top 34-31.
That capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive after Texas A&M jumped back out on top after the two-minute timeout. It also meant USC sealed a come-from-behind victory to win the Las Vegas Bowl.
The Trojans rattled off 21 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters to take a 28-24 lead with 4:30 to go. But the Aggies rallied back with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped by a Marcel Reed rushing touchdown to put Texas A&M back on top, 31-28, with 1:49 to go.
In need of at least a field goal, Maiava led USC down the field looking to either force overtime or win the game. A wild play set up 2nd-and-13 with 31 seconds left, and Maiava’s pass sailed out of bounds to make it 3rd-and-13 with 27 seconds remaining. That’s when the magic happened.
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Maiava connected with Ja’Kobi Lane to get USC deep into Texas A&M territory, all the way to the 13-yard line with 17 seconds to go. The Trojans then got to the 1-yard line on another pass to Lane, getting in prime scoring position on a 1st-and-Goal. However, a penalty backed things up to the 7-yard line.
Maiava didn’t back down, though. He found Ford on a slant route with eight seconds remaining in regulation, and Texas A&M didn’t have an answer as USC completed the comeback after trailing 24-7 at one point.
For Jayden Maiava, it was a rollercoaster day. He threw three interceptions, but still totaled 295 yards and four touchdowns in the air. Lane had the biggest day as a receiver, totaling 127 yards and three touchdowns to complete the hat trick. Makai Lemon was also impressive with some big plays en route to a 99-yard showing.
It was also an strong way for Maiava to close out his battle against Reed, who threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns while adding the rushing score that gave Texas A&M a late lead. USC ends its up-and-down season with a 7-5 record, and it could create some needed momentum heading into 2025.