Maiava punches in USC’s first TD of 2026
A pass play gets USC down to the goal line, where Jayden Maiava plows in to get USC on the board against San Jose State.
Video Transcript
Maiaba will throw.
Maiaba, patience, lets it fly.
Short of the goal line.
The extra effort is gonna be just short.
It was a nice try by the freshman Trond Baker in his first catch, but it'll be third and goal from the half yard line.
And now SC is gonna make some slight tweaks to personnel ahead of this third down.
That was a really well-designed play and excellent patience by the freshman, Trond Baker.
They have- Their passing concepts in a round the goal line are as good as anybody.
They space the field, they layer the field, and that was beautiful execution to get 'em inside the one.
Maiaba will push it forward for the touchdown.
Fitting that USC's first score of the season comes courtesy of the experienced quarterback.
Well, this is an offense that last year only went under center 22 times.
But when you're inside the one yard line, go ahead and get under center and let your quarterback get it in the end zone.
Career rushing touchdown for number 14, Jake Maiaba.
Well, Trond Baker, one of the four freshman receivers we're gonna see.
Watch now, he's gonna run this route but watch how smart he is as he reads the coverage.
He sees it's zone coverage and he doesn't take the route all the way over.
He stops right there where he can let his quarterback have a nice target, turns his jersey to the quarterback, and almost gets it in the end zone.
But that's excellent execution, and you can see the chemistry early on that Jake Maiaba has with this young group of wide receivers and tight ends
