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Jayden Maiava describes his mindset as USC backup: 'You're either the cure or you're the cancer'

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax11/07/24BarkleyTruax

Jayden Maiava transferred to USC knowing he was going to have to put in the work to be the Trojans’ starting quarterback. In Week 12, they’re giving him that chance.

Fans are excited to see what Maiava can do in Lincoln Riley’s offense against Nebraska after their bye week. He was the QB1 for UNLV last year, throwing for over 3,000 yards before transferring to USC this past offseason. He’s had to be patient for his turn, and explained what it was like waiting in the wings for so long.

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“I have the same mindset every single day,” Maiava said after practice on Wednesday. “I learned this while I was at UNLV — there’s only so much you can control. What I think about every day is what I can control and that’s my effort, my attitude. Effort in non-negotiable, but your attitude is what you can control.

“You’re either the cure or you’re the cancer. All I try to do is be the cure to the team and also help the team the best that I can and be the best teammate I can be for my players.”

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Regardless of how long he had to wait to earn his first start at USC, Riley has slotted him in under center in the most crutial stretch of the season for the Trojans. While the Trojans began the year appearing to have answered its offensive woes, USC has stalled down the stretch. Now, Maiava will be tasked with leading his team to a bowl game — which means the Trojans have to win two of its next three matchups to become bowl eligible.

That effort starts against Nebraska at home on Nov. 16 before playing rival UCLA at their place the following week. USC concludes its regular season at home against No. 10 Notre Dame.

With that final game looking even more daunting at this point, the matchups against the Cornhuskers and Bruins feel like they’re must-win for Maiava and company.