Jayden Maiava Shines, Final Box Score Stats, Highlights, Draft Stock from USC's Win vs. SJSU

Jayden Maiava shined Saturday in USC's Week 0 42-26 victory over the San Jose State Spartans at home.

USC entered Saturday as a heavy 38.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, after finishing last season 9-4 overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten. 

San Jose State, meanwhile, finished last season 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Mountain West Conference.

The senior quarterback wrapped up his 2025 season with the Trojans with the fifth-most passing yards in college football, throwing for 3,711 yards, 24 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He looked on track to build on that performance against the Spartans, putting together a standout showing through three quarters.

Heading into his third year in Southern California after transferring from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the 6-foot-4 Palolo, Hawaii, native kicked off what looks to be his final college season with a bang, picking up right where he left off last year.

Player	Comp/Att	Yds	TD	INT
Jayden Maiava	25/29	286	3	0

According to ESPN's Jordan Reid, Maiava is among a handful of notable quarterbacks projected in the third round of the 2027 NFL Draft, alongside LSU's Sam Leavitt and Oklahoma's John Mateer.

Reid notes that Maiava is poised as a pocket passer but will need to clean up his compounding mistakes this season if he wants to improve his draft stock. Saturday's performance was a solid start.

Maiava's chemistry with his teammates was obvious, connecting with eight different receivers on 17 completions in the first half.

A 6:05 drive to open the game ended with a Trojans score, as Maiava ran up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown without a huddle to open the season in fitting fashion.

USC found the end zone on three more opportunities in the second quarter. Running back Riley Wormley rushed for a touchdown, Maiava connected with receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt on a 9-yard touchdown pass, and running back King Miller added a rushing score before halftime as the Trojans took a 29-0 lead into the break.

USC was forced to punt for the first time in the third quarter, while San Jose State notched its first points of the game with a field goal.

Maiava responded with a 74-yard drive down the field, connecting with freshman receiver Trent Mosley on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Trojans a 35-3 advantage. 

It would be the final play of the game for the senior quarterback, who was pulled shortly after with USC holding a 32-point lead.

Lincoln Riley, Maiava and the Trojans will look to continue its dominance against the Fresno State Bulldogs at home Friday, Sept. 4.