Trent Mosleys stellar season continues as No. 14

At the end of a topsy-turvy Saturday that noticed the Big Ten’s top contenders tumble, Trent Mosley stood just inside USC’s 15-yard line, trying skyward.

By that level, Ohio State had just blown a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead to Texas, and Oregon had, hours earlier, been surprised by Oklahoma State. The path to the top of the Big Ten abruptly appeared open as ever, just as the Trojans’ super freshman caught the punt and took off.

With his gorgeous start to the season, no one participant at USC — and maybe in all the nation — had manufactured more hope through two video games. While the convention’s other top groups spent the day licking their wounds, right here, once again, was Mosley weaving joyfully through the open area and conjuring the very same magic from skinny air. He shook off one deal with, then another. Soon enough, he was gone for an 86-yard punt return, and the No. 14 Trojans had been rolling, comfortably on their method to a 49-30 win over Louisiana.

The victory solidified a tenth straight win at the Coliseum for USC, going back to the 2024 season, and a spotless nonconference slate in 2026 — not that anybody would confuse the Trojans’ early-season schedule for a illegal killingers’ Row. But there gained’t be any gimmes for USC at home from right here, with its next three up against Oregon, Washington and Ohio State.

USC has, in glimpses this season, seemed like a crew that belongs among those Big Ten behemoths. And the most encouraging of those moments have largely come from the Trojans’ gifted freshman class.

Mosley, who also had an acrobatic receiving landing Saturday, wasn’t the only one who made his presence felt. Tight end Mark Bowman had his eagerly anticipated breakout recreation, as he exploded for six catches, 83 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. Defensive deal with Luke Wafle, meanwhile, continued his streak of early dominance by tallying a team-leading seven tackles.

The win wasn’t almost as dominant an effort for the remainder of USC’s protection, which was coming off of a shutout of Fresno State. Louisiana averaged 7.6 yards per play and scored 20 factors in the second half, led by twin menace quarterback Lunch Winfield, who scampered to 91 speeding yards.

It wasn’t the sharpest night time for the Trojans’ offense, either. Though, you wouldn’t understand it from the box rating. While USC rushed for 214 yards, almost 100 got here in the fourth quarter, with the sport properly in hand. Quarterback Jayden Maiava put up numbers once again, as properly, finishing 19 of 29 passes for 261 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Through two video games, Maiava had accounted for as many touchdowns (six) as he had incompletions. But on Saturday, he missed his first three passes, the third of which went instantly to a Louisiana defensive back.

The interception was Maiava’s first of the season, and it led to a Louisiana area purpose, giving the Ragin’ Cajuns (1-1) an early lead. It was also the first time the Trojans trailed this season.

USC (3-0) and its quarterback settled down after that. The Trojans mounted a 12-play scoring drive on the following possession, and Maiava discovered Bowman for a five-yard rating. Then, they mounted a 10-play drive, and Maiava discovered Bowman again.

By that level, USC’s offense had piled up virtually 200 yards, while Louisiana had scraped together just 18.

But the Ragin’ Cajuns refused to go away — for the second, at least. They marched the size of the sphere and scored, cutting USC’s lead to 14-10.

That was the closest they’d get. The Trojans mounted a third straight drive of 10 performs or more, and this time, Maiava fired a landing go through the fingers of a Louisiana defensive back on its method to freshman Kayden Dixon-Wyatt.

The knockout blow got here soon after that. After its follow-up drive went nowhere, Louisiana made the error of punting to Mosley, who took off sprinting to his proper and didn’t stop until he reached paydirt.

The punt return was his fourth rating of the season. He added a fifth before the ultimate buzzer sounded.

And from there, the Trojans would coast the remainder of the way in which to a clean nonconference sheet, with the start of a Big Ten gauntlet finally on faucet.