Lincoln Riley assesses Jayden Maiava's 1st start, importance of USC getting back in win column

It was by no means perfect, but Jayden Maiava led USC to a needed win in his first start under center. And for all the bumps in the road against Nebraska on Saturday, he delivered when it mattered most.

On top of leading a game-sealing touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, pushing USC ahead 28-20 — the final margin — after the Trojans had led 21-20, he delivered as both a passer and runner. It had Lincoln Riley singing his praises to FOX’s Allison Williams in a postgame interview.

“Well he made some plays,” Riley said. “He made some plays with his legs. He had a couple of mistakes that I’m sure he’ll learn and grow from. But the guys were excited, we made some plays around him. Especially the big drive at the end there where it counted.”

Maiava was named the starter for USC in the days following a Nov. 2 loss to Washington, and had a bye week to prepare on top the game week.

Maiava went 25-of-35 for 259 yards and three touchdowns and an interception passing and added 20 yards on five carries plus the final touchdown of the game on the ground.

And he did most of that work after throwing a pick six on the second drive of the game for the Trojans, helping them pick up a much-needed win to get to 5-5 with two games to play.

“This is an important game,” Riley said. “This is a team we played in these guys, Nebraska, that almost beat Ohio State on the road. They’re a really good football team. We knew it was going to be a physical game. And here at the end, we need to go play our best. We’ve got a tremendous three-game stretch coming up and getting this first one done was huge.”

USC also got a massive effort from transfer running back Woody Marks — 19 carries for 146 yards, six catches for 36 yards — who Riley praised effusively.

“He was awesome,” Riley said. “We didn’t even know if he was going to play. He was a little dinged up. But he’s been a warrior for us all day long. We’re going to enjoy him for the next several games here, because he’s going to be a terrific pro when he’s done here.”

And it all added up, at last, to a badly-needed win for the Trojans.

“We were due, right? We were due,” Riley said. “It was a good back and forth game. We had a couple of unforced errors that obviously hurt us against a good football team here, but proud of our guys. This was a big win for the guys to come get it done. Stepped up on all three sides. Just a really terrific team win all around.”