USC Trojans Overcome Double-Digit Second Half Deficit to Defeat Iowa 26-21

The USC Trojans host the Iowa Hawkeyes in a top 25 showdown at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Southern Cal is fighting to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive as heavy rain hits Los Angeles this weekend.

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The No. 17 USC Trojans overcame an 11-point second half deficit to defeat the No. 21 Hawkeyes and improve to 8-2 on the season.

USC receiver Makai Lemon turned in another masterful performance, hauling in 10 catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Bryan Jackson scored twice.

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Fourth Quarter

0:00 - USC wins 26-21

1:42 - Iowa burns their 2nd timeout of the half. USC will face a 1st and 10 on their own 40-yard line.

1:59 - Mark Gronowski pass for Kaden Wetjen on 4th down is incomplete. USC takes over on their own 29-yard line.

4:41 - Mark Gronowski runs for 19 yards and Iowa is in USC territory.

8:33 - USC punts after picking up one first down. Iowa will take over on their own 10-yard line.

11:26 - Iowa punts after going 3-and-out and USC takes over on their own 26-yard line.

13:36 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Bryan Jackson 1-yard touchdown to cap off a 6-play, 40-yard drive. USC leads 26-21.

The Trojans take the lead ✌️

No. 17 @uscfb leads No. 21 Iowa for the first time today.

📺: BTN pic.twitter.com/P0syeCMkQ7

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 15, 2025

14:07 - Jayden Maiava to Lake McRee for 4 yards on 3rd down to move the chains. USC has a 1st and goal on the 1.

Third Quarter

1:54 - INTERCEPTION. Marcelles Williams broke up a pass on 3rd down and Jahkeem Stewart came up with the interception. USC takes over in Iowa territory.

THANOS!!!!

📺 @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/yDj0veTjiN

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 15, 2025

3:33 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Jayden Maiava to Makai Lemon for a 12-yard touchdown. 2-pt conversion is no good. USC trails 21-19.

Makai Lemon is ridiculous 🤩

The WR's highlight TD cuts the No. 17 @uscfb deficit to two points.

📺: BTN pic.twitter.com/vD7OZRlErW

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 15, 2025

5:10 - Bryan Jackson runs for 9 yards on third down to move the chains.

7:02 - Jayden Maiava hits Makai Lemon for 36 yards and USC is in Iowa territory.

Makai Lemon strikes again.

The @uscfb WR is a highlight machine.

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/Khk1B1qbEn

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 15, 2025

7:47 - Iowa punts after picking up one first down. USC takes over on their own 18-yard line.

11:11 - FIELD GOAL. Ryon Sayeri's 28-yard field goal is GOOD. USC trails 21-13.

13:47 - Jayden Maiava completes to Makai Lemon for 24 yards and USC is in Iowa territory

Second Quarter

0:39 - FIELD GOAL. Ryon Sayeri's 40-yard field goal is GOOD. USC trails 21-10.

2:50 - King Miller runs for 17 yards and brings the ball to midfield.

3:24 - TOUCHDOWN Iowa. Reece Vander Zee 5-yard touchdown pass to Mark Gronowski to cap off a 9-play, 75-yard drive. Iowa leads 21-7.

7:35 - Mark Gronowski to DJ Vonnahme for 32 yards on 3rd down. Iowa is in USC territory.

9:15 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Bryan Jackson 1-yard rushing TD to cap off an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Trail Iowa 14-7.

YESSIRRR BJACKK ✌️

📺 @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/fwmjOYs1c8

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 15, 2025

10:32 - Jayden Maiava completes to Ja'Kobi Lane for 14 yards and USC is inside the 5-yard line.

12:23 - Jayden Maiava runs for 20 yards on 3rd and 1 and moves the ball into Iowa territory.

14:12 - TOUCHDOWN Iowa. Mark Gronowski punches it in for a 1-yard touchdown to cap off a 9-play, 45-yard drive. Iowa leads 14-0.

First Quarter

0:00 - End of the first quarter. Iowa will face a 1st and goal on the 2-yard line.

4:40 - Injury timeout. USC defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver is down on the field.

4:59 - King Miller gets tackled for a gain of zero on 4th down. Turnover on downs. USC takes over on their own 45-yard line.

9:05 - Iowa punts after going 3-and-out. USC will take over on their own 13-yard line.

10:09 - USC punts after going 3-and-out. Iowa will take over on their own 46-yard line.

11:26 - TOUCHDOWN Iowa. Mark Gronkowski to Dayton Howard for a 2-yard touchdown to cap off a 7-play, 69-yard drive. Iowa leads 7-0.

11:32 - Timeout Iowa. The Hawkeyes burn their first timeout of the half. Will face a 4th and 1 on the 2-yard line.

14:19 - Mark Gronkowski completes to Jacob Gill for 44 yards. Iowa is in the red zone.

15:00 - Iowa receives the opening kickoff

Embracing the Moment 

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Southern Cal is in a tight College Football Playoff race, with every week a must-win to remain alive. 

But through it all, USC coach Lincoln Riley has been preaching to his team to embrace the moment. Riley isn’t taking this opportunity in front of them for granted and he doesn’t want his team to either. 

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“Opportunities to accomplish some cool things is a lot of fun. And every time you win, you make these games more valuable, more important,” Riley said. “It doesn't mean that you change your approach, but I think you have an understanding and realization this is a cool position to put yourself in. 

“You don't want to miss it, you don't want to do anything that would keep you from putting the best foot forward when you get these because it's hard to get. It's every year, when you're fortunate to get this point, you realize that.”

Defensive Turnaround 

Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Braylan Shelby (10) reacts after sacking Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The pass defense for the Trojans has drastically improved over the last month. They have held three of their last four opponents to under 200 passing yards. Only Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood surpassed that mark, but he threw for just 207 yards. 

Redshirt freshman cornerback Marcelles Williams has shown a steady progression throughout the season and settled into his starting role opposite redshirt senior DeCarlos Nicholson. 

Kamari Ramsey has played more of his natural safety position over the last month and then bumps down to the nickel spot in their three-safety defense with Bishop Fitzgerald and Christian Pierce. 

The comfortably in the secondary has allowed USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to be creative with his blitz packages, which has led to an improved defense over the last month. 

USC has also held three of their last four opponents to 17 points or fewer. 

Notre Dame put up 34 and that was thanks to a dominate run game that put up 306 yards on the ground. Nebraska also saw plenty of success running the football against the Trojans on Nov. 1 and that’s where the strength of Iowa’s offense lies. 

Can the Trojans defensive line hold up against a physical Iowa run game?