Penn State Loses to USC, Box Score Stats, Highlights for Jayden Maiava, Top Players

Jayden Maiava and USC improved to 6-1 with a 31-23 win over Penn State on the road on Saturday.

While the Trojans have their eyes set on far more, they became bowl eligible with the win. Penn State, meanwhile, dropped to 3-3 as it continues its rebuilding year.

Both offenses came out strong, with USC and Penn State each scoring on their opening drive. The Trojans started with the ball, and Maiava led them down the field before finding Trent Mosley in the end zone. Rocco Becht answered with a touchdown drive capped off by a pass to Andrew Rappleyea.

USC regained the lead in the second when Maiava found Tanook Hines for a touchdown, but the Nittany Lions responded once again, scoring on a short rush from Carson Hansen.

Both teams tacked on field goals in the second, and things were tied up at 17 apiece heading into the break.

A field goal gave Penn State the lead on their opening drive in the third quarter, but the lead didn't last long as USC scored on a rush from King Miller to go up 24-20.

While the Nittany Lions trimmed the deficit to just one point on a field goal early in the fourth, USC once again answered and went up 31-23 on a touchdown pass from Maiava to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt.

After a pair of punts from both teams, Penn State looked to score with just over four minutes remaining, but a crucial mistake quickly killed the drive. Becht completed a pass for what would have been a big gain, but the Trojans forced a fumble to get the ball back.

USC got the ball into Penn State territory, ran the clock down, and left with a win.