USC
Michigan
USC Football Hosts No. 15 Michigan In Blue Blood Battle At L.A. Memorial Coliseum
October 07, 2025 | Football
ROSE BOWL WORTHY MATCHUP
*The USC Trojans host the No. 15 Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m. PT in a matchup of traditional blue blood powerhouses.
*USC and Michigan have only played 11 times (USC is 6-5), including just three in a non-bowl meeting.
*This will be the teams' first meeting at the Coliseum in 68 years (the last time the Wolverines visited the Coliseum was in 1957).
*USC is the only program to play both Ohio State and Michigan 5 or more times and have winning records versus both.
*USC has won 11 national championships, while Michigan claims 12.
*USC has 8 Heisman Trophies (the most in college football), while Michigan has 3.
*USC has appeared in an unprecedented 33 Rose Bowls where it has a 25-8 mark (.758) (not including 1 appearance and 1 loss later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 34 Rose Bowls, 25-9, .735). That is not only the most Rose Bowl wins of any team, but also the most wins by a school in a single bowl. Michigan has been in the Rose Bowl 20 times and is 8-12.
*The Trojans claim 177 All-American first teamers, while the Wolverines have 143.
*USC has 886 all-time wins with a .694 winning percentage, while Michigan boasts 1,016 all-time wins with a .733 winning percentage. (Not including USC's 14 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 900, .697)
NOTES FROM CHAMPAIGN
*The No. 21 USC Trojans fell 32-34 at No. 23 Illinois on a walk-off kick in front of a crowd of 60,670 at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
*The game marked USC's first loss of the season.
*The last time USC lost on a walk-off field goal in regulation was in 2010 against Stanford (Nate Whitaker 37-yard FG, 35-37 final).
*USC recorded 490 total yards of offense (126 rushing and 364 passing).
*USC ranks in the Top 10 of the ESPN Football Power Index (No. 10).
*USC ranks No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (565.0).
*The Trojans are No. 3 in the nation and lead the Big Ten in scoring offense (48.4) and passing offense (338.0).
*USC was playing significantly shorthanded without top DB Kamari Ramsey and LT Elijah Paige. Additionally, USC's starting center Kilian O'Connor was hurt early in the second quarter.
MAIAVA MAGIC
*USC QB Jayden Maiava continues to be the most impressive QB in the nation thriving in head coach Lincoln Riley's offense.
*Maiava has been ranked as the No. 1 Power Four quarterback per ESPN.
*Maiava is 98-for-139 (.705) for 1,587 yards and 11 TDs with just 1 INT. He has also rushed for 57 yards while scoring another 4 TDs on the ground.
*He is one of six Power Four quarterbacks averaging more than 300 yards per game.
*Maiava ranks No. 1 in ESPN's QBR (93.4), and among QBR-qualified quarterbacks, he is one of only two to rank in the top 20 in both completion rate (70.5%) and yards per completion (16.2).
*Maiava is tied for the FBS lead in completions of 20 or more yards (25) and leads the FBS in first half passing yards (231.0 passing yards per first half).
*He was named to the 2025 Maxwell Award Watch List as part of the award's midseason additions.
*Maiava continues to be well protected by his offensive line. The line has given up just 3 sacks all year.
MAIAVA VERSUS ILLINOIS
*Maiava went 30-of-43 (.698) for 364 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT.
*His 30 completions were a single-game career-high.
*It was his first turnover of the season, and Maiava's first INT in 132 passes, a streak that dated back to last season.
*Maiava remained the Big Ten's leading passer through Week 5.
*Against Illinois per PFF:
*81.4 offense grade (3rd in B1G)
*75.0% completion percentage when blitzed (15/20)
*6 Big Time Throws to lead the B1G
*Just 1 turnover worthy pass (which resulted in his first INT of the season)
*Led the nation in first downs with 21
*After Week 5, Maiava was ranked No. 1 in ESPN's total QBR – 93.4.
MAIAVA METRICS
*Maiava leads the nation in passing yards per completion (16.19) and yards per pass attempt (11.42).
*He is No. 2 in the nation and leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (317.4).
*He leads the Big Ten in passing yards (1,587) and total offense (328.8).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MAIAVA
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Keep an eye on Jayden Maiava and the Heisman race. It's early but bookmark this…."
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "When you have a quarterback like Jayden Maiava who is a dual threat, you always have to pay attention. Don't go to sleep, otherwise his feet will eat!"
POLYNESIAN TRADITION AND APPLE TV COLLAB
*Including USC QB Jayden Maiava, USC's first-ever starting quarterback of Polynesian descent, USC has a rich tradition of Polynesian players that have been integral members of the football program.
*USC currently boasts 15 players of Polynesian decent on the roster: OL Micah Banuelos, OL Ratumana Bulabalavu, WR Makai Lemon, QB Jayden Maiava, OL Alani Noa, DT Kobe Pepe, OL Makai Saina, LB Matai Tagoa'i, OL Erwin Taomi, OL Justin Tauanuu, LB AJ Tuitele, TE Taniela Tupou, OL Elijah Vaikona, OL Willi Wascher and WR Zacharyus Williams.
*On Saturday, Aug. 30, Apple TV debuted a promo video collaboration with USC Football for its hit streaming series Chief of War starring Jason Momoa.
*In the video, centered around USC's Polynesian heritage, Momoa addresses QB Jayden Maiava and the Trojan football team.
LEMON IN THE LIMELIGHT
*Biletnikoff contender USC WR Makai Lemon continues to display why he is the nation's best receiver.
*After USC's game versus Illinois, he led the nation with 589 yards and was third in the nation with 117.8 yards per game.
*Lemon was the nation's highest graded receiver from Week 5 per PFF.
*He recorded a 91.5 offensive grade and a 91.1 receiving grade, both first in the nation.
*He led the team with 11 receptions for 151 yards (both single-game career highs) and 2 TDs.
*This was Lemon's second two-TD game this season.
*He had 3 contested catches (4th in Power Four, 2nd in B1G) and led the nation with 8 first downs.
*He earned placement on PFF's Week 5 College Football Team of the Week.
*After the bye week, he ranks No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in receiving yards (589), allpurpose yards (153.80) and receiving yards per game (117.8).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LEMON
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst- "I think Makai Lemon is the best receiver in CFB."
*Kyle Ford, Former USC Wide Receiver - "Lem is the best receiver in the country…"
*David Cone, Host of Sports Podcast Crain & Company - "Throw the ball anywhere near Makai Lemon and he'll catch it."
*Kendell Hollowell, USC Trojans on SI - "Makai Lemon is making himself a lot of money today. There's not a WR in next year's draft I would take over Lemon."
*Kendell Hollowell, Reporter, USC Trojans on SI - "Just put the ball in Makai Lemon's hands and let him do the rest."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Lane and Lemon remind me of some guys I used to play with."
*Brad Nessler, CBS Sports Analyst – "Makai Lemon after the catch is so dangerous!"
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Makai Lemon is a game-breaker. I call him 'Quick-6' because he can score from anywhere on the field – inside or out."
WAYMO -- ALL YOU SEE IS TAILLIGHTS
*USC RB Waymond Jordan has become one of the nation's most exciting college football backs.
*Jordan recorded 94 rushing yards on 20 attempts and 2 TDs.
*It was his single-game career high in attempts and his first ever two-TD game as a Trojan.
*USC is running the ball with authority -- 227 yards per game which is the ninth best among Power 4 teams.
*Jordan ranks No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (107.4).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT WAYMO
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Been hearing great things about Waymond Jordan all offseason. This kid is going to be special this year."
*Antonio Morales, The Athletic National Writer - "One of the things USC has done consistently well under Lincoln Riley is identify transfer running backs: Waymond Jordan is the latest gem. He just rushed for a 36-yard TD and is up to 132 yards today. Trojans lead 38-13 early in the third."
*Jeff Dubrof, Sports Anchor KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) - "Learn the name Waymond Jordan folks. He's gonna be one of the best running backs in America this year."
LOOK OUT FOR LANE
*WR Ja'Kobi Lane is yet another Biletnikoff contender in the Trojan wide out room.
*Lane, who was coming off injury and battled his way back to the field, recorded 4 catches for 39 yards, while making an offensive impact throughout the game.
*Lane leads the Big Ten in yards per reception (21.38).
*Notably, right behind Lane, USC TE Lake McRee is second in the conference in yards per reception (20.67).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LANE
*Cody Kessler, former USC QB and CFB & NFL Analyst - "Ja'Kobi Lane is a walking highlight reel!! 8 does it again, there's just no way you can even guard that!!"
*Matt Zenitz, CBS National College Football Senior Reporter - "Stuff like this is why USC staffers have compared Ja'Kobi Lane to players like A.J. Green and Drake London."
*Jalen McKenzie, former USC and NFL offensive lineman - "Young bull Ja'Kobi Lane upholding USC as WRU."
*Greg McElroy, Always College Football - "Ja'Kobi Lane is NOT HUMAN"
*Former USC WR and current Atlanta Falcons star Drake London was asked if Lane reminds him of himself. He said, "No, he's much more smooth. He makes catches that I don't see in the NFL that much."
*Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Lane and Lemon remind me of some guys I used to play with."
*Lincoln Riley, USC Head Football Coach - "He wasn't supposed to play at all (against Illinois), but the kid's a warrior. He just went. Wasn't going to be able to play much at all, and he felt a little better than we anticipated, as he hasn't taken a rep in practice in two weeks. He's just a warrior – a guy who will lay it on the line for the whole team and the program. We appreciate guys like that."
D'ANTON'S DEFENSE
*After being the nation's most improved defense in 2024 under USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, the improvements continue.
*USC recorded 21 total sacks in 2024, and through just four games, the Trojans have already notched 16.
*USC ranks No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in defensive TDs (2)
*The average size of the defensive line two-deep is 300 lbs., compared to last year's 278 lbs.
*USC is No. 7 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in team sacks (3.40).
*At just 18-years old (and a reclassified freshman who could still be in high school), DT Jahkeem Stewart, the 6-5, 290-pound freshman, recovered a fumble and returned it 22 yards to the USC 26-yard line. The Trojans made the most of it, marching downfield for a FG by K Ryon Sayeri, capping a potential 10-point swing that kept USC in the game.
*USC LB Eric Gentry recorded 8 tackles and an almost game-saving forced fumble which allowed USC to regain possession of the ball and take a 32-31 lead near the end of the fourth.
*Gentry ranks No. 3 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten in solo tackles (6.0).
*LB Desman Stephens II recorded a single-game career high tackles (9).
*S Christian Pierce tallied a career-high single game tackles (6) and his first ever career fumble recovery in pivotal moment of the game.
*CB DeCarlos Nicholson notched his first-ever career sack.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE DEFENSIVE LINE
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst – "The bodies they have up front – these are the type of players that can help them compete for national championships the next few years."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT GENTRY
*Robert Griffin III, Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "This guy is playing linebacker better than anyone else in the country right now."
*Devin Jackson, Philadelphia Enquirer Sports Editor - "USC LB Eric Gentry is a versatile weapon on defense, can rush the passer and is physical enough to play inside the box. Has been a consistent force over the last couple of seasons but is playing on another level this season."
RANKINGS
*USC is not ranked in either poll this week. Michigan is No. 15 in the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches' Poll.
IN OCTOBER
*USC has a 319-130-19 (.702) all-time record while playing in the month of October (not including 5 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; revised record: 324-130-19, .705).
TV OUTLETS
*USC has appeared live on 35 different television broadcasting outlets. The Trojans have won on the air on all but 3 of those outlets (KTLA, Innovative and a local Memphis station). USC has appeared on live national, regional or local telecasts 597 times.
USC • MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS
*USC has 3 players from the state of Michigan (CB Alex Graham, LB Desman Stephens II and LB Jadyn Walker), while Michigan has 8 players from the state of California.
*USC Defensive Ends Coach Shaun Nua coached the defensive line at Michigan from 2019–21.
*USC Director of Player Personnel Weston Zernechel is married to Michigan's Director of Football Operations Erin Zernechel.
*USC CB Alex Graham, Michigan WR Semaj Morgan, Michigan DB Jacob Oden, Michigan QB Bryce Underwood, Michigan DB Elijah Dotson, Michigan DL Rayshaun Benny and Michigan DB Joshua Nichols are all from Detroit, Mich.
*USC DT Jamaal Jarrett and Michigan LB Troy Bowles played together at Georgia in 2024.
*USC WR Zacharyus Williams, USC WR Marcelles Williams, USC P Rey Sanchez and Michigan EDGE Cameron Brandt are all from Carson, Calif.
*USC CB DJ Harvey, USC S Kamari Ramsey, USC WR DJ Jordan, USC S Marquis Gallegos and Michigan EDGE Cameron Brandt all prepped at Sierra Canyon HS.
*USC LB Desman Stephens II and Michigan WR Logan Forbes are both from Clarkston, Mich. and prepped at Clarkston HS.
*USC TE Lake McRee and Michigan OL Blake Frazier are both from Austin, Texas.
*USC QB Sam Huard, USC OL Willi Wascher and Michigan TE Hogan Hansen are all from Bellevue, Wash.
*USC OL Willi Wascher and Michigan TE Hogan Hansen prepped together at Bellevue HS.
*USC DE Garrett Pomerantz and Michigan RB Micah Ka'apana both prepped at Bishop Gorman HS.
*USC S Kennedy Urlacher, USC SNP Hank Pepper, Michigan QB Mikey Keene and Michigan K Dominic Zvada are all from Chandler, Ariz.
*USC RB Eli Sanders, USC S Kennedy Urlacher, USC SNP Hank Pepper and Michigan QB Mikey Keene all prepped at Chandler HS.
*USC P Sam Johnson, Michigan DB Tevis Metcalf and Michigan DB TJ Metcalf are all from Birmingham, Ala.
*USC WR Romero Ison and Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore are both from Baltimore, Md.
*USC QB Sam Huard and Michigan OL Brady Norton both played at Cal Poly in 2023.
*USC OL Erwin Taomi and Michigan DL Deyvid Palepale are both from Anchorage, Alaska.
*USC P Sam Johnson and Michigan DL Damon Payne both played at Alabama in 2021.
*USC DT Kash Amos, Michigan WR I'Marion Stewart and Michigan DL Trey Pierce are all from Chicago, Ill.
*USC LB Ta'Mere Robinson and Michigan LB Cole Sullivan are both from Pittsburgh, Pa.
*USC CB Shawn Sehra and Michigan DL Rayshaun Benny both prepped at Oak Park HS.
*USC CB DeCarlos Nicholson and Michigan K Hudson Hollenbeck formerly played at Mississippi State.
*USC SNP Hank Pepper and Michigan DB Jaden Mangham were teammates at Michigan State from 2022–23.
*USC LB Ryan Quintanar, USC WR DJ Jordan, USC QB Dylan Gebbia and Michigan QB Davis Warren are from Los Angeles, Calif.
*USC Director of Football Analytics Conor McQuiston received his bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematical Physics from Michigan in 2021. He also worked as an undergraduate analytics manager for the Michigan football team during the 2021 season.
*USC Director of Recruiting Weston Zernechel was a team manager for the Ohio State football team from 2011-2014, the same time that Michigan Offensive Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Tony Alford was an Assistant Head Coach for Offense/Running Backs Coach for the Buckeyes.
*USC Director of High School Recruiting Relations Aaron Amaama was a member of Tennessee's recruiting staff from 2022-23, the same time that Michigan Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Brian Jean-Mary was a linebackers coach for the Volunteers.
*Michigan women's soccer Head Coach Jennifer Klein served as the associate head coach at USC from 2014-17. She was a part of USC's 2016 National Championship team.
*Former longtime USC Band Director Dr. Arthur C. Bartner graduated from Michigan in 1962. He held the role at USC from 1970-2020.
*USC Associate Athletic Director (Operations) / Galen Center General Manager Paul Neidermire worked at Michigan as Director of Event Management from 2011–2017.
*USC women's soccer Assistant Coach Megan Hinz played soccer at Michigan from 2014–17.
MICHIGAN TROJANS
*In USC's history, just 7 football lettermen claim Michigan as their hometown and attended school in the state before coming to Troy: CB Bruce Dyer, 1970-71 (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Riverside); current Trojan CB Alex Graham (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical); ILB Dennis Johnson, 1977-79 (Flint, Mich./Northwestern); DE Nick Perry, 2009-11 (Detroit, Mich/King); OG-C Bill Redding, 1973-75 (Grosse Ile, Mich./Grosse Ile/Orange Coast College); current Trojan LB Desman Stephens II (Clarkston, Mich./ Clarkston) and current Trojan LB Jadyn Walker (Portage, Mich./Portage Northern).
MICHIGAN SCOUTING REPORT
*No. 20 Michigan defeated Wisconsin 24-10 at home on Saturday (Oct. 3).
*QB Bryce Underwood threw for a career-high 270 yards, completing 68% of his passes (also a career high).
*WR Donaven McCulley recorded 6 receptions for 112-yard performance (a career-best) and 1 TD. This was Michigan's first 100-yard receiving performance of the season.
*RB Justice Haynes recorded 117 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 19 carries.
*This season, Haynes has recorded 85 carries for 654 yards (7.69 yards per carry) and 9 TDs and has recorded 5 consecutive 100-yard games.
*WR Andrew Marsh contributed a career-best performance, finishing with 4 catches for 80 yards.
*The Michigan defense held the Badgers to 10 points and 252 yards overall (4.4 yards per play) -- the second-lowest offensive output of the year for Wisconsin and tied for the least amount of points they've scored.
*The Michigan defense held Wisconsin to 75 rushing yards and 2.7 yards per carry after entering the game allowing 77.5 yards and 2.3 per attempt.
*Michigan's rushing defense ranks No. 7 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten (77.0).
*The Wolverines limited the Badgers to just seven second-half rushing yards and 100 total yards.
*DB Rod Moore intercepted a pass late in the third quarter, marking his seventh career pick.
*Michigan has forced at least one turnover in every game this season.
*K Dominic Zvada went 1-of-2, making a field goal from 40 yards out but missing a 27-yard chip shot. Zvada is now 8-of-11 on the season.
