Full Breakdown
USC Trojans Open 2026 Season with 42-26 Win Over San Jose State Amid Heat and Attendance Questions
8/30/2026, 10:59:49 AM
Core Event: Season-Opening Victory
No. 14 USC defeated San Jose State 42-26 in its Week 0 home opener at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley recorded seven catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, the first Power-Four freshman to post those numbers in a debut since 2018. USC built a 35-3 lead entering the fourth quarter before the Spartans narrowed the margin with three late scores.
Background & Context
USC entered as a 38.5-point favorite after a 9-4 2025 campaign that ended with a loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl. The Trojans, ranked No. 14, are targeting a College Football Playoff berth under third-year head coach Lincoln Riley. San Jose State, a 38.5-point underdog, finished 3-9 the prior season and hoped to stay competitive.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: USC 42, San Jose State 26.
- Total offense: USC amassed over 500 yards; the first half produced 312 yards.
- Rushing: Riley Wormley and King Miller combined for 111 yards; Miller led with 63 yards.
- Defense: USC held San Jose State to 102 yards and 93 rushing yards in the first half; the Spartans averaged 8.4 yards per play in the second half.
- Attendance: One outlet reported 51,144 fans; another noted the crowd appeared sparse and that the school had not released an official figure.
Official Statements & Responses
Riley praised the freshmen, saying they “all affected the game” and that the early dominance was encouraging. He warned that the late defensive lapses highlighted depth concerns. San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo highlighted his team’s resilience, noting the Spartans “got tighter together” in the fourth quarter and that quarterback Luke Weaver’s play was “exciting” for the program’s future.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Attendance figures diverge: USA Today provided a precise count of 51,144 spectators, while Fox News reported uncertainty about the official number and described the crowd as “sparse,” offering no exact count. No university source supplied a definitive figure, leaving the true crowd size unresolved.
Why It Matters
The victory reinforces USC’s trajectory toward a playoff run and showcases the immediate impact of its freshman class. Riley’s comments on depth and the defensive drop-off in the fourth quarter signal potential challenges as the season progresses, especially given the early exposure of backup players. The game’s extreme heat—mid-90s with a “real-feel” near 104 °F—raised concerns about fan comfort and player endurance, prompting stadium officials to implement cooling measures.
