Final: USC puts up 73 points in blowout win over Missouri State

USC gives walk-on kicker Ryon Sayeri a shot and he connects on a 32-yard field goal. With transfer kicker Caden Chittenden out due to injury right now, the Trojans need to know what they have in Sayeri, which makes the field goal call there an understandable one. It’s 66-13 USC with 10:51 remaining and the Trojans have matched their largest scoring output under Lincoln Riley.

True freshman linebacker Matai Tagoa’i gets in on the playmaking action tonight as he forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Isaiah Rubin at the Missouri State 22-yard line.

Husan Longstreet scrambles 17 yards for his second touchdown of the game as USC pushes its lead to 63-13 with 13:30 remaining in the game.

Cornerback Kevin Longstreet gets in the face of Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark and deflects a pass into the air that’s picked off by defensive end Garrett Pomerantz, who returns it 37 yards to set the Trojans up in Bears’ territory.

Walk-on running back King Miller explodes for 75 yards on the first play of the drive. It’s the second one-play touchdown drive for USC today and the third play of 60 yards or more for the Trojans. It’s 56-13 with 5:30 remaining in the third quarter.

Missouri State can’t move forward after the turnover and settles for a 46-yard field goal. That makes it 49-13 USC with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Missouri State records a strip-sack and takes over at the USC 22-yard line. It’s the Trojans’ first turnover of the season.

USC opens the second half with the ball and starts to empty the bench in this one. True freshman quarterback Husan Longstreet enters the game along with the entire second-unit offensive line. That’s, from left to right, true freshman Aaron Dunn, Micah Banuelos, J’Onre Reed, Kaylon Miller and true freshman Elijah Vaikona.

Jayden Maiava keeps the ball and goes in for a three-yard touchdown to push USC’s lead to 35-10 with 3:35 remaining in the first half. That’s USC’s third rushing touchdown in this game.

Missouri State hits a 33-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 5 as the USC defensive backs got crossed up in coverage and left Tristian Gardner wide open downfield. It’s 28-10 USC with 7:58 remaining in the first half.

USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald steps in front of a third-down pass attempt and goes back 39 yards for a touchdown. It’s 28-3 USC with 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Maiava dumps a pass over the middle and tight end Lake McRee rumbles the rest of the way for a 64-yard touchdown on the first play of USC’s third offensive drive. It’s 21-3 USC with 13:21 remaining in the second quarter.

Kameryn Fountain delivers USC’s first sack of the season on the final play of the first quarter. Getting to the quarterback and bringing him down has been a focal point all season for this USC defensive front.

USC goes 75 yards in 10 plays and 4:50 for a touchdown. Bryan Jackson takes his first carry of the season into the endzone from three yards out. It’s 14-3 USC with 28 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Running back Waymond Jordan wastes zero time making an impact for USC. He takes his first carry 26 yards and then gets it right back and is into the endzone on a five-yard run. It’s 7-3 USC with 6:58 remaining in the first quarter.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava, running back Waymond Jordan, wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon, tight ends Lake McRee and Walker Lyons, offensive linemen Elijah Paige, Tobias Raymond, Kilian O’Connor, Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu.

Defensive line: Kameryn Fountain, Jide Abasiri, Devan Thompkins, Anthony Lucas

Linebacker: Desman Stephens, Eric Gentry

Defensive backs: DeCarlos Nicholson, DJ Harvey, Bishop Fitzgerald, Christian Pierce, Kamari Ramsey

USC put six players on its official Big Ten availability report:

Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart
Linebacker Anthony Beavers Jr.
Defensive back Prophet Brown
Defensive back Chasen Johnson
Defensive back Alex Graham
Kicker Caden Chittenden

In addition to those, these Trojans are also not suited up today:

DB RJ Sermons
DB Dee Reddick
OL Makai Saina
DL Cash Jacobsen
TE Joey Olsen
RB Riley Wormley

As a result, USC will go with, from left to right, Elijah Paige, Tobias Raymond, Kilian O’Connor, Alani Noa and Justin Tauanuu as the starting five offensive linemen.

The returners for the Trojans are on the field just a little more than an hour from kickoff.

Kickoff returners include running backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders, and wide receivers Josiah Zamora and Jay Fair. Punt returners include wide receivers Makai Lemon, Zach Williams and DJ Jordan, plus true freshman defensive back James Johnson. Lemon is likely the top option at both spots.

There are no surprises with USC’s season-opening captains in quarterback Jayden Maiava, center Kilian O’Connor, defensive tackle Devan Thompkins, linebacker Eric Gentry and safety Kamari Ramsey. All five have been discussed this offseason as taking significant leadership roles on and off the field.

The Trojans will be a little thin on defense in the opener but mostly when it comes to depth. Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, linebacker Anthony Beavers, defensive back Prophet Brown, cornerback Chasen Johnson, defensive back Alex Graham and kicker Caden Chittenden are all officially ruled “out” for today’s game.

True freshman defensive lineman Cash Jacobsen and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Makai Saina are also not dressed for this game.