Makai Lemon's Career Day Guides USC Trojans to 38-17 Win over Northwestern

The USC Trojans look to remain unbeaten against the Northwestern Wildcats when they host them on Friday, Nov. 7. It will be sixth all-time meeting between these two schools and the first since USC defeated Northwestern in the 1996 Rose Bowl.

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. 19 USC Trojans (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) defeated Northwestern (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) in the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs.

Junior receiver Makai Lemon had a career-day, hauling in 11 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown, he also added another touchdown on the ground. Redshirt freshman King Miller rushed for 127 yards on 15 carries, marking the third time in four games the Trojans walk on has rushed for over 120 yards.

Live updates from the game are below.

Fourth Quarter

3:13 - Northwestern punt. USC takes over on their own 33-yard line.

4:40 - FIELD GOAL. Ryon Sayeri's 22-yard field goal is GOOD. USC leads 38-17.

5:25 - USC center J'Onre Reed was injured on that last play. The Trojans will face a 3rd and goal on the 3.

9:19 - DeCarlos Nicholson breaks up a pass on 4th down to force a turnover on downs. USC takes over on their own 48-yard line.

11:14 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Makai Lemon's 4-yard touchdown run caps off a 7-play, 75-yard drive. USC leads 35-17.

Lemon with another @uscfb TD 🍋

This time on the ground! pic.twitter.com/vwCmQ9OMwJ

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025

11:30 - Northwestern gets called for pass interference in the end zone and the Trojans will have a 1st and goal on the 4-yard line.

12:50 - Jayden Maiava connects with Makai Lemon for 25 yards and USC is in Northwestern territory.

Third Quarter

0:17 - FIELD GOAL. Jack Olsen's 33-yard field goal is GOOD. USC leads 28-17.

1:00 - SACK. Jide Abasiri sacks Preston Stone for a loss of 5 on 3rd down.

2:40 - Preston Stone goes deep to Ricky Ahumaraeze for a gain of 32 yards and Northwestern is in the red zone.

2:52 - Timeout Northwestern. The Wildcats burn their 2nd timeout of the half. Will face a 3rd and 7 on their own 44-yard line.

4:30 - Quarterback sneak on 4th and 1 and Northwestern picks up the 1st down.

7:56 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Jayden Maiava to Ja'Kobi Lane for a 10-yard touchdown to cap off an 8-play, 91-yard drive. USC leads 28-14.

.@cantGuardJak1 is a cheat code 🎮

📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/dVqOw7ALzC

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 8, 2025

8:01 - Timeout USC. The Trojans burn their first timeout of the half. Will face a 3rd and 8 on the 10-yard line.

11:40 - Jayden Maiava connects with Makai Lemon for a 53-yard catch-and-run and USC is in Northwestern territory.

12:00 - Northwestern punts and USC takes over on their own 9-yard line.

12:16 - Timeout. Northwestern burns their 1st timeout of the half. They will face a 4th-and-3.

Second Quarter

0:03 - Timeout Northwestern. The Wildcats burn their final timeout.

0:09 - Timeout Northwestern. The Wildcats burn their 2nd timeout of the half.

1:00 - Northwestern is forced to punt after USC cornerback broke up a pass on 3rd down.

1:27 - TOUCHDOWN USC. King Miller runs for a 12-yard touchdown. USC leads 21-14.

King Miller for the @uscfb lead 😤

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/PL0d8L55UL

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 8, 2025

2:47 - King Miller runs for 55 yards and moves the ball into Northwestern territory.

2:55 - Jayden Maiava gets picked off by Najee Story but Maiava forces a fumble that results in a touchback.

Maiava threw a pick and forced a fumble for a touchback ALL IN THE SAME PLAY 👀

Things you don't see everyday 😂 pic.twitter.com/f7DS1w1KjD

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025

3:23 - Northwestern punts after going 3-and-out. USC takes over on the 21-yard line.

5:16 - USC punts after picking up one first down. Northwestern takes over on their own 21-yard line.

6:20 - Timeout. Northwestern burns their first timeout of the half. USC will face a 2nd-and-12 on their own 35-yard line.

7:18 - Jayden Maiava goes deep to Lake McRee for 42 yards and moves into Northwestern territory.

7:43 - TOUCHDOWN Northwestern. Caleb Komolafe runs up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown to cap off a 7-play, 75-yard drive.

8:28 - Caleb Komolafe runs right and picks up 37 yards to move the ball down to the USC 2-yard line.

11:27 - Jayden Maiava keeps it for a 6-yard touchdown to cap off a 9-play, 58-yard drive. USC leads 14-7.

Maiava muscles it in 💪

📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/rOE5qNAps9

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 8, 2025

14:24 - USC dials up a trick play and punter Sam Johnson completes to Tanook Hines for 10 yards to move the chains.

tricky tricky

📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/d5nxEUZCH6

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 8, 2025

First Quarter

0:45 - TOUCHDOWN Northwestern. Preston Stone to Griffin Wilde for a 4-yard touchdown to cap off a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Game tied 7-7.

2:29 - Preston Stone to Caleb Komolafe for a gain of 18 and Northwestern inside the 10-yard line.

5:19 - Caleb Komolafe runs for 14 yards and moves the ball into USC territory.

7:46 - TOUCHDOWN USC. Jayden Maiava connects with Makai Lemon for a 7-yard touchdown to cap off a 16-play, 82-yard drive. USC leads 7-0.

Maiava to Lemon for SIX ✌️@uscfb pic.twitter.com/aIL9Efe5TK

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025

10:00 - Jayden Maiava on a QB sneak picks up two yards on 4th-and-1 to move the chains. USC is in the red zone.

12:22 - Jayden Maiava completes to Walker Lyons for 9 yards on 3rd down to move the chains. USC is in Northwestern territory.

15:00 - Northwestern wins the toss and defers to the 2nd half. USC will receive.

Offensive Fireworks 

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

It’s no surprise the Trojans have another high-powered offense under Lincoln Riley, which ranks second in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (505.9). 

However, in last weeks win over Nebraska, USC got off to a slow start, going three-and-out on its first two possessions. The Trojans scored a season-low six points in the first half and had less than 60 passing yards. 

“I think just the way to fix it is just obviously starting faster, being able to just go out there and execute plays,” said USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. “Worry about the Trojans, nobody else, just eliminating all the other factors that really don't matter. No matter whether that be people talking or what the environment's like or what the weather's like, I think just focusing on what we're good at and continue to execute.”

A good way to start fast is leaning on redshirt freshman running back King Miller, who led the Trojans with 129 rushing yards on 18 carries and one touchdown last week against Nebraska. Miller had five rushes over 10 yards in that contest, which led all Power Four running backs.

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

The walk-on has been on the biggest stories in college football since a series of injuries late in the first half of USC’s win over Michigan thrusted him into the No. 1 running back role. 

The Trojans have dealt with numerous injuries at running back and on the offensive line. Still, they have not only managed to make it work, but continue playing at a high level. 

Maiava still has star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane and a pair of tight ends in Lake McRee and Walker Lyons that have provided a new element to the USC offense in 2025. 

Short Week 

Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs for a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Trojans arrived back in Los Angeles early Sunday morning after last Saturday’s win and will be back in action on Friday. 

USC coach Lincoln Riley made his displeasures with the Big Ten scheduling known last weekend. Regardless, the schedule is the schedule and the Trojans can only control themselves. 

On paper, this matchup against Northwestern is set up to be a trap game for the Trojans. But Riley has ensured his team remained focused throughout the week. 

Riley at the beginning the week, told us that it's a new week and it's time to start over and win the week. And I think we've done a great job of that up,” said USC offensive tackle Elijah Paige. 

College Football Playoff Race 

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) breaks a tackle by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Tae Johnson (9) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

The Trojans are in a must-win scenario ever week during this final month of the regular season to remain alive in the College Football Playoff and that begins tonight.