"Through four games this season, Jayden Maiava has done just about all he could to dispel any lingering doubts about him as USC's starting quarterback. Maiava is averaging 12.7 yards per pass attempt this season, higher than any other quarterback in college football. His completion percentage has risen more than 11 points since last season (to 70.8%). He has thrown nine passing touchdowns, plus added four on the ground."
""Just keep doing what you're doing," Riley said. "He's been steady. He's been in a good head space. There will be different challenges. You're gonna have mistakes here and there. That's where your experience is going to show up. We just need him to be the steady, efficient leader he's been and keep playing really good, efficient ball. I think he's in a really good head space to do that.""
"But the level of competition ratchets up this week. Each of USC's next three opponents are ranked in the top 25, while three of its next four games come on the road, beginning Saturday with No. 23 Illinois, which was ranked in the top 10 before it was trounced by Indiana last weekend. If USC has any hope of making the College Football Playoff, it'll need Maiava to prove his fast start in September wasn't a fluke."
Jayden Maiava has produced exceptional efficiency through four games, averaging 12.7 yards per pass attempt and completing 70.8% of his throws, up more than 11 points from last season. He has thrown nine passing touchdowns and added four rushing scores while avoiding turnovers after nine interceptions in the same number of starts in 2024. USC's offense has averaged over 52 points per game across an easy early stretch. The schedule intensifies with multiple ranked opponents and road games, and sustained performance against stronger defenses will be necessary for College Football Playoff aspirations. Coach Lincoln Riley urges continued steadiness and efficient leadership.
Read at Los Angeles Times
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]