USC Trojans Overcome First Half Struggles, Edge Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-17

The No. 23 USC Trojans overcame their first half struggles to defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-17 at Memorial Stadium.

Redshirt freshman running back King Miller lead the way on offense with 129 yards on the ground and continues to stake his case to be put on scholarship. The defense only allowed three points in the second half, and the Trojans improve to 6-2 this season.

USC Trojans Big Ten College Football Playoff Jayden Maiava Lincoln Riley Memorial Stadium Dylan Raiola Touchdown Makai Lemon — 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

"Weather can't define how we play," said USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. So we just have to go out there and have that attack mode."

Fourth Quarter

1:26 - Emmett Johnson slips on 4th down. Turnover on downs.

1:37 - TJ Lateef runs left and picks up 5 yards. Nebraska will face a 4th and 1.

2:00 - Two-minute timeout. Nebraska will face a 2nd and 5 on their own 23-yard line.

3:27 - USC punts and Nebraska will take over on their own 4-yard line.

5:40 - Jayden Maiava runs left and picks up seven yards on third down to move the chains. USC is in Nebraska territory.

7:55 - Nebraska punts after picking up one first down. USC will take over on their own 25-yard line.

10:06 - TOUCHDOWN USC. King Miller runs right and goes untouched for a 6-yard touchdown. USC leads 21-17.

The Trojans waste no time 🔥@uscfb takes the lead.

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/qdstEZ0jzP
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 2, 2025

12:30 - Jayden Maiava on a trick play connects with Jaden Richardson for a 43-yard completion.

USC is in their bag of tricks. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4JyRLeHUSp
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 2, 2025

12:53 - FIELD GOAL. Kyle Cunanan's 39-yard field goal is GOOD. Nebraska leads 17-14.

14:50 - Emmett Johnson runs left and picks up 23 yards. Nebraska is in USC territory.

Third Quarter

3:31 - Jayden Maiava keeps it himself on the read option for a 16-yard touchdown. King Miller's 2-pt conversion is successful. Game tied 14-14.

all tied up.

📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/cIalvKDZ9B
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 2, 2025

4:31 - Jayden Maiava goes deep to Tanook Hines for 29 yards

5:23 - FIELD GOAL. Kyle Cunanan's 52-yard field goal is NO GOOD. USC will take over on their own 34-yard line.

5:27 - Timeout Nebraska. The Cornhuskers burn their 2nd timeout of the half.

7:24 - Timeout Nebraska. The Cornhuskers burn their 1st timeout of the half.

8:24 - Injury timeout. A Nebraska player is down on the field.

8:42 - Bryan Jackson gets stuffed on fourth down and Nebraska will take over on the USC 46-yard line.

11:59 - FUMBLE. Anthony Lucas forces a fumble, and the ball is recovered by Kameryn Crawford. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola was helped off the field after the play.

13:36 - Jayden Maiava's pass for Ja'Kobi Lane is INTERCEPTED by Andrew Marshall and Nebraska will take over in USC territory.

14:07 - Emmett Johnson gets tackled in the backfield on 3rd and 2. Nebraska is forced to punt, and USC takes over on their own 26-yard line.

15:00 - USC kicks it out of bounds. Nebraska will begin on their own 35-yard line.

Second Quarter

0:30 - USC punts and Nebraska will take over on their own 18-yard line.

1:12 - Jayden Maiava scrambles and picks up 17 yards.

1:40 - TOUCHDOWN Nebraska. Emmett Johnson runs up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown. Nebraska leads 14-6.

1:45 - Marcelles Williams gets called for a pass interference in the end zone on 3rd down, giving Nebraska a fresh set of downs.

1:47 - Timeout USC. The Trojans burn their 2nd timeout of the half. Nebraska will face a 3rd and 10 on their own 25-yard line.

1:53 - Timeout USC. The Trojans burn their first timeout of the half. Nebraska will face a 2nd and 17 on their own 32-yard line.

2:00 - Two-minute timeout. Nebraska faces a 1st and 20 on their own 35-yard line.

3:04 - Dylan Raiola connects with Luke Lindenmeyer for 23 yards and moves to the USC 25-yard line.

6:07 - FIELD GOAL. Ryon Sayeri's 49-yard field goal is GOOD. USC trails 7-6.

6:53 - Timeout Nebraska. The Cornhuskers burn their 2nd timeout of the half. USC will face a 3rd and 18 on their own 44-yard line.

9:12 - Jayden Maiava hits Tanook Hines for 12 yards on 3rd down to move the chains.

10:29 - Nebraska is forced to punt after picking up one 1st down. USC takes over on their own 15-yard line.

13:23 - FIELD GOAL. Ryon Sayeri's 24-yard field goal is GOOD. USC has to settle for a field goal after a false start on 4th down Nebraska leads 7-3.

13:26 - TIMEOUT Nebraska. The Cornhuskers burn their first timeout of the half. USC will face a 4th and goal on the 2.

13:57 - Jayden Maiava runs for 5 yards on 3rd down and moves the ball to the Nebraska 2-yard line.

First Quarter

0:55 - King Miller runs for 15 yards and moves the ball into Nebraska territory.

2:58 - Nebraska punts after going 3-and-out. USC will take over on their own 19-yard line.

5:03 - USC punts after going 3-and-out. Nebraska takes over on their own 39-yard line.

6:11 - Injury timeout. USC guard Alani Noa is down on the field after a 1st down run.

6:29 TOUCHDOWN Nebraska. Dylan Raiola connects with Dane Key for a 14-yard touchdown to cap off a 14-play, 75-yard drive. Nebraska leads 7-0.

13:30 - USC punts after going 3-and-out. Nebraska will take over on their own 25-yard line.

15:00 - USC will receive opening kickoff

Changing Narratives

The Trojans struggles on the road are well known. They have won just one road game outside of the state of California since moving to the Big Ten, which came in week 3 against Purdue.

"In your ascent as a program that's the last steps because it's the hardest thing to do," said USC coach Lincoln Riley. "To go on the road and win against really good football teams ... but obviously the expectation is to win them."

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However, Nebraska has its own struggles over the past decade when it comes to facing ranked opponents. The Cornhuskers have lost 28-straight games against ranked teams, with their last win coming against then No. 22-Oregon in 2026.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule signed a two-year extension this week amid coaching drama across college football. Rhule had been tied to a few job openings, but Rhule reaffirmed his commitment to the Cornhuskers and vice versa.

Blackout Game

Nebraska will debut their all-black uniforms for this contest. The fans will be dressed in all black and a crowd that has sold out an NCAA record 409 consecutive games will be loud and energetic.

"Just understanding the environment. It's going to be loud, it's going to be hostile, it's Big Ten, so it'll be cold," said USC tight end Walker Lyons. "Just understanding that going in, not as an excuse but just able to understand that so we can start fast."

Nebraska is looking to avenge its 28-20 loss to the Trojans last season at the Coliseum. USC cornerback Greedy Vance picked off Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola in the end zone on the final play of regulation to seal the victory.