USC Football Can Help Jayden Maiava by Running the Ball More

No. 18 USC Football (7-2) will travel to the No.9 Indiana Hoosiers (8-1) on Saturday for a must win game for the Trojans. Jayden Maiava will be the biggest reason USC wins or loses and the Trojans need Maiava to play high level football for USC to stay in the playoff race.

Statistically, Maiava is one of the best quarterbacks in college football. This season he ranks No.5 nationally in passing yards with 2524 and ranks No. 7 in passing touchdowns with 20. The Maxwell Award semifinalist also leads the Big Ten in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

The issue is that in the last three games, he has been three different quarterbacks. Head coach Lincoln Riley will need Maiava to mirror his performance against the Penn St Nittany Lions where the star quarterback threw for 301 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

USC laid an egg against the Wisconsin Badgers where Maiava had the worst game of his career. Maiava threw back-to-back interceptions on USC’s second and third possession, while getting sacked five times. USC suffered a 24-7 loss and were seven point favorites. 

USC then came home and defeated the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes for the biggest home win in twenty years. Maiava was more efficient against the Buckeyes, throwing a 69 yard touchdown to freshman sensation Trent Mosley on the second offensive play of the game.

Against Ohio State, Maiava threw for 222 yards with zero interceptions. The gunslinger almost had a crucial interception after a booth review determined that the defender did not have his feet in bounds, saving USC from what could have been a game turning play.

Maiava is a third year starter in Riley's system and is the engine behind one of the nation's top offenses. USC is heavily relying on freshmen in this high powered offense. Mosley, along with freshman Mark Bowman and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt have been Maiava’s top targets in 2026.

All three freshmen were named Midseason Freshman All-Americans. Riley cannot force the issue and must play a more balanced game. Against Wisconsin, Maiava had 50 pass attempts, while only needing 22 attempts against the Buckeyes and 33 in the win Penn State game.

USC ran for 129 yards on 30 attempts against Penn State. Against Wisconsin USC had -17 rush yards on 25 attempts. In the win against Ohio State they had 116 rush yards on 27 attempts. When the Trojans run the ball, Maiava usually plays well. 

Against Penn State USC’s run pass ratio was 48%/52%, against Wisconsin it was 33%/67%, against Ohio State it was 54%/46%. Riley needs to help his quarterback by making sure USC establishes a run game to give Maiava the best chance to play his best football.

Additionally, much of USC offensive success has come off of the playaction game. Running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller made key runs in the Ohio State game. If Riley can establish a run game at Indiana, USC chances of winning will skyrocket.

USC is often called “Running Back University” because it has five running backs who have won the Heisman Trophy. For Maiava to play his best ball, Riley will need to help his quarterback by running the ball early and often.