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Jayden Maiava reveals his mindset after being named USC starting QB

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•11/07/24•

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USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) scores a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the fourth quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) scores a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the fourth quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images)

Amid a difficult season for the USC Trojans, head coach Lincoln Riley decided to shake things up and is benching starting quarterback Miller Moss for Jayden Maiava.

After the news of the change broke, Maiava had the opportunity to speak to the media. There, he shared his mindset after being named the USC starting quarterback.

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“Let’s practice,” Jayden Maiava said. “Let’s go out there and start getting reps in. Obviously, Miller was getting the ones’ reps and, obviously, it’s a change at the quarterback position. So, I’ve just got to build that relationship with the receivers and be more vocal and just be better for everybody.”

Maiava came to USC as a transfer from UNLV in the offseason, where he had an excellent freshman season. In 2023 with the Rebels, Maiava completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

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After the quarterback change was announced, Lincoln Riley shared what went into the decision.

“I said I was gonna make decisions based on what was best for the team to win,” Riley said. “And nothing’s changed. We go back and evaluate like we do every single game. We have two good players in the room, and when we went back and looked at it we felt like it was in the best interest of the team to give Jayden a chance here. It’s that simple.”

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USC now finds itself in a difficult situation. At 4-5 with three games remaining, USC needs to win twice more to get to bowl eligibility. All five of the Trojans’ losses have also come in one-score games. That includes losing four out of their last five games.

Woody Marks reveals USC QB change from Miller Moss to Jayden Maiava ‘wasn’t a surprise’

USC running back Woody Marks shared his thoughts on the quarterback change as well, explaining that he didn’t find the move to be a surprise.

“It wasn’t a surprise,” Marks said. “I would say for me, I really didn’t know until we got to practice and it was just, they always rotate, so it was just really normal. It hasn’t really hit me ’til probably like the game or something.”

The Trojans are on a bye week this week as they make the transition at starting quarterback. After that, USC is set to host the Nebraska Cornhuskers to begin their final stretch of the season.