USC Football's Jayden Maiava Hit Major Milestones in USC's Win

USC Football quarterback Jayden Maiava hit a major milestone Saturday night when threw touchdown pass No. 70 for his career.

Maiava also hit the 10,000 career passing mark against the Penn State Nittany Lions in a 31-23 win in Happy Valley.

Maiava had the best road performance of his career against Penn State on Saturday night. The fifth year QB threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns. He completes 21 of 33 pass attempts with no turnovers. 

What is even more impressive is that Maiava’s performance came in front of the largest crowd ever at Beaver stadium with over 144,000 fans in attendance.

On top of the historic crowd, this game was Penn State’s annual “White Out’ game. Maiava did an outstanding job quieting the crowd as USC’s offense seemed to have their way with the Penn State defense all night long.

On top of the great milestone moments in the game, Maiava is coming off a week where he was named a candidate for the Johnny Unitas Award, given to the nation's top quarterback.

The other USC quarterbacks to win the award are: Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Rondney Peete.

The only other USC quarterbacks to throw for 10,000 yards passing and 70 touchdowns are: Matt Barkley, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinhart, and Cody Kessler.

Barkley is the career leader in both categories with 12,327 yards passing and 116 touchdown passes. 

For head coach Lincoln Riley,  Maiava’s performance could not have come at a better time.

The head coach is in his fifth year as USC’s coach. Riley has never taken USC to the College Football Playoff. even though he has been to the playoff three times prioras Oklahoma’s head coach.

After the loss to the Oregon Ducks many in the Los Angeles media called for Riley to be fired.

Oregon has already suffered a bad loss to Oklahoma St. If USC, who was on a ten- game home winning streak couldn't beat the Ducks this year, then when? 

USC still has games against Ohio State, Indiana, UCLA, and Wisconsin. A one loss USC can't afford to lose too many more games. One more loss would force USC to win out from that point on because a 9-3 team will not get in. 

Fortunately for Riley, Maiava is looking like what a year three Lincoln Riley quarterback should look like.

Considering Riley's track record with the quarterbacks he’s recruited, and picked to be his starter, one can realize that Maiava should be as good as he is. 

Jalen Hurts, Caleb Williams, Kyler Murry, and Baker Mayfield are all players hand picked by Riley.

Each one of those players are franchise quarterbacks in the NFL right now. Three of those former players were drafted No.1 and won the Heisman.

The other player,  Hurts, is a super bowl champion.

Maiava and USC have an opportunity to make this a special season.

He will need to continue to play at a high level for USC to make the playoffs.

If Saturday night in Happy Valley is any indication, USC might have a shot.