Live Game Thread: Michigan State at #25 USC

One of the latest games in Michigan State football history is about to get underway, as the Spartans look to pull off a road upset against the 25th-ranked USC Trojans. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local) on FOX.

MSU is 3-0 and is opening up its Big Ten schedule here. USC is also unbeaten at 3-0 and won its first conference game against Purdue last week, 33-17.

Find a quick preview of the Trojans and the latest updates on the action below.

USC Preview

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Offense

The Trojans, coached by Lincoln Riley, entered the AP Poll for a reason. USC got a relatively stress-free win over Purdue last week on the road and won its first two games of the year against Group of Five teams by 60 and 39, respectively.

One big reason for that USC boasts one of the best offenses in the country, if not the best. The Trojans' 604 yards per game entering Saturday is at the very top of the FBS and their 55 points per game is second.

Starting quarterback Jayden Maiava has been the best quarterback in the Big Ten so far. He leads the conference with 989 passing yards in just three games with six passing touchdowns and no interceptions. He's also got an elite duo of receivers to throw to in Makai Lemon (311 yards, two TDs) and Ja'Kobi Lane (239 yards, one TD), though Lane was listed as questionable to play on the availability report.

USC has also been fantastic at running the ball. As a team, the Trojans are averaging 7.1 yards per rush and have had a dozen touchdowns on the ground already. The two guys that will likely get the most carries are Waymond Jordan (286 yards, three TDs) and Eli Sanders (160 yards, two TDs).

Defense

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Missouri State Bears defensive lineman Andrew Link (97) celebrates after a sack against the Missouri State Bears in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The other side of the ball hasn't had the gaudy numbers that the offense has, but it's been quite steady. USC hasn't allowed more than 20 points through three games this season.

For the Trojans, there are two things that they do really well: force turnovers and get to the quarterback. USC has gotten seven takeaways and 14 sacks already this year.

Top performers for the Trojans include linebacker Eric Gentry (21 solo tackles, five TFL, three sacks, two forced fumbles) and safety Bishop Fitzgerald (three interceptions).

Live Game Updates

Michigan State's Nick Marsh celebrates a first down after a catch against Ohio State during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

First Half

USC won the coin toss and elected to receive.

First Quarter

USC FIELD GOAL: Ryon Sayeri's 25-yard field goal attempt is good. 3-0, USC

TOUCHDOWN MSU: Aidan Chiles finds Chrishon McCray downfield for a 42-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a 7-3 lead.

TOUCHDOWN USC: Jayden Maiava kept it on the ground for a 15-yard score to immediately answer back. That made it 10-7, USC.

END OF Q1: USC 10, Michigan State 7

Second Quarter

TARGETING: Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall is called for targeting and is out of the game.

TOUCHDOWN USC: Jayden Maiava throws it 40 yards to Makai Lemon for another Trojan touchdown. 17-7, USC.

THREE-AND-OUT: The Spartans' offense can't get anything going on their third possession of the game.

USC TURNOVER ON DOWNS: The Trojans went for it on a fourth-and-4 and only got three.

MSU FIELD GOAL: Martin Connington's 29-yard attempt is good to cut the Trojan lead to 17-10.

TOUCHDOWN USC: Maiava throws to Tanook Hines for a 7-yard touchdown. 24-10, Trojans.

MISSED FG: Martin Connington's 56-yard field goal attempt is no good (wide left) as time expires on the first half.

HALF: USC 24, Michigan State 10

Second Half

Michigan State RB Makhi Frazier carries the ball against USC on Sept. 20, 2025 | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Third Quarter

THREE-AND-OUT: MSU's offense has nothing going coming out of the halftime break.

TOUCHDOWN USC: Maiava tosses one to Walker Lyons for a 10-yard touchdown, extending USC's lead out to 31-10.

TOUCHDOWN MSU: Chiles runs in a 4-yard score to make it 31-17, USC.

USC TURNOVER: Makai Lemon fumbles the ball after it's forced out by Armorion Smith and is recovered by Grady Kelly.

TOUCHDOWN MSU: Chiles throws it to Jack Velling for a 1-yard score to make it a 31-24 game.

END OF Q3: USC 31, Michigan State 24

Fourth Quarter

TOUCHDOWN USC: Lemon gets a 4-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Trojans' lead to 38-24.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: MSU doesn't get anything on the ensuing possession, giving it back to the Trojans on its own 27-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN USC: Maiava sneaks in another touchdown for USC; 45-24.

TOUCHDOWN MSU: Chiles throws one deep to Omari Kelly for a 75-yard touchdown to make it 45-31.

FINAL: USC 45, Michigan State 31

May 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of Southern California Trojans football helmet and the Olympic torch at the peristyle end of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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