University Southern California Trojans
USC
Iowa
No. 17 USC Football Hosts Iowa For Pivotal Homecoming/Reunion Weekend Matchup
November 11, 2025 | Football
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
* The USC Trojans will host the Iowa Hawkeyes for Homecoming weekend in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. PT.
* The game will be broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.
* This is the sixth time Iowa has visited the Coliseum with the last time being in 1976 (USC won 55-0).
* USC has won 11 national championships, Iowa 5.
* Both schools have produced Heisman Trophy winners (USC has 8 [the most of any college football program], Iowa 1).
* 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. Iowa has been to the Rose Bowl 6 times and is 2-4.
* USC has 56 bowl appearances with a 36-20 record and a .643 winning percentage – the nation's sixth-highest among the 105 schools that have made at least 10 bowl appearances (not including 1 win and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 37-21, .638). Iowa has competed in 37 bowls with a 18-18-1 record (.500).
* The Trojans claim 177 All-American first teamers, while the Hawkeyes have 88.
* USC has 889 all-time wins with a .695 winning percentage, while Iowa boasts 708 all-time wins with a .547 winning percentage. (Not including USC's 14 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 903, .697).
* USC has a 68-28-4 record in its Homecoming games, dating back to the first such event in 1924 (not including 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 69-28-4).
* USC's first homecoming football game was played on Dec. 6, 1924 against Syracuse (USC won 16-0).
HEY, WHAT'S UP, HELLO
* Under the Friday night lights, USC defeated Northwestern in a statement win with a final score Fetty Wap could sing about, 17-38!
* The Trojans recorded 482 total yards while holding Northwestern to just 280.
* USC remains undefeated at home 5-0.
* Head coach Lincoln Riley is 41-0 while holding opponents to 20 points or less.
* USC is the only team in the nation averaging 300 passing yards per game and 200 rushing yards per game. USC has not produced those numbers since 2005.
* No FBS team has produced these numbers since LSU in 2023, and no Big Ten team has since Indiana in 2013.
* This is the first time since 2016 and just the third time in the last 25 seasons that USC is averaging 200+ rushing yards per game.
MAIAVA MAGIC
* QB Jayden Maiava continued to decorate his stat sheet in USC's 38-17 victory against Northwestern on Friday. He went 24-of-33 (.727) for 299 yards and 2 TDs.
* He recorded a 93.0 QBR.
* He also rushed for 10 yards on 4 carries and 1 TD.
* The game marked the third time this season Maiava has had a rushing and passing TD in the same game.
* He recorded 9.1 yards per pass attempt and 6.3 yards per rush attempt.
* At the end of the second quarter, Maiava was picked off by Northwestern DL Najee Story, Maiava didn't hesitate, took off after Story and launched his body into Story's 6-4, 300-pound frame to force a fumble on the USC 1-yard line to prevent a Wildcat TD, and the play resulted in a touchback.
* Maiava's tackle and never-give-up attitude completely changed the momentum of the game.
* He is the only QB in the FBS to record a forced fumble this season.
* USC got the ball back, and in three big plays, immediately scored and took a 21-14 lead.
* Maiava is second in the nation in QBR with 90.7.
* Maiava has 17 TDs so far this season, matching his single-season career high from his 2023 UNLV season.
* Maiava on his forced fumble: "I just sacrificed my body for my brothers."
* USC S Kamari Ramsey on Maiava: "When your quarterback puts his body on the line like that, how could we not?"
* USC WR Makai Lemon on Maiava: "Just shows you what type of player he is."
* USC RB King Miller on Maiava: "He's Superman, you know?"
* USC has continued to shine against teams with strong pass defenses. USC defeated Nebraska (2nd) and Northwestern (13th). Coming down the line are Iowa (5th), Oregon (1st) and UCLA (27th).
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!"
* Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Analyst -"USC QB Jayden Maiava is cooking! He just keeps getting better and better. Lincoln Riley knows how to develop QBs."
* Connor Rogers, NBC Sports - "Jayden Maiava has put so many great touch throws on tape this season."
* Jordan Mendoza, USA Today - "Jayden Maiava is cooking, really impressive when it comes during a tough stretch for USC."
* Ryan Dyrud, LA Football Network- "Jayden Maiava using his legs more has been a revelation."
* Kalshi CFB - "Jayden Maiava is a Heisman candidate."
HE'S #GOODFOR6…AND THE BILETNIKOFF AWARD
* Biletnikoff contender USC WR Makai Lemon continues to display why he is the nation's best receiver and that he is always #GoodFor6.
* He recorded 11 receptions for a career-high 161 yards (14.6 avg.) with 1 TD.
* Lemon caught the pass from Maiava and shouldered his way into the end zone to score.
* Keep in mind, Lemon is also a serious Hornung Award candidate, as he also tallied 1 rush for 4 yards and a TD.
* On a sneaky, short toss from Maiava behind the line of scrimmage, Lemon ran left, but the defense ran right for a walk-in TD.
* It was his fourth 100+ yard receiving game of the season.
* His 3.47 Yards per route run are second in the Power Four and first in the Big Ten, and his 39 first downs are fifth in the Power Four and third in the Big Ten.
* Lemon earned placement on the Week 11 PFF College Football Team of the Week.
* Per PFF, his 90.4 offensive grade and his 88.7 receiving grade against Northwestern ranked second amongst Power Four receivers and first in the Big Ten.
* Lemon is No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 3 in the nation in receiving yards (937) and receiving yards per game (104.1).
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."
* Matt Leinart, USC Heisman Trophy winner and FOX Sports Analyst - "Whoever drafts Makai Lemon is going to get an absolute star!!!"
* RJ Abeytia, USCFootball.com – "Makai Lemon is just that dude."
* Jeff Dubrof, Sports Anchor KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) - "Makai Lemon is the best draft eligible receiver in the entire country. Unreal."
* Liam Blutman, Barstool Sports – "There aren't many kids in football better than Makai Lemon."
* Greg Biggins, National Recruiting Analyst for 247Sports – "Makai Lemon makes more contested catches than any other sub 6-0 WR I've seen in a long time, just incredible hand/eye coordination, body control and compete level."
* Hayden Winks, Director at Underdog – "Makai Lemon is what all the best WRs in the NFL look like."
* Ryan Roberts, NFL Draft and CFB Analyst – "Makai Lemon is inevitable. Every. Single. Week."
* Keely Eure, USC Football Team Reporter – "Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon continually make plays/catches happen that just shouldn't. Unreal talent."
* J.D. Pickell, On3 CFB Analyst – "Makai Lemon is awesome."
* Pat Forde, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated – "USC wideouts are ridiculous."
KING MILLER - AMERICA'S BEST WALK-ON
* RB King Miller tallied 127 rushing yards on 15 attempts (8.5 avg.) and scored 1 TD.
* He also had 2 receptions for 3 yards (1.5 avg.).
* He broke a 55-yard run with 2:35 in the second quarter after USC got the ball back from Jayden's forced fumble turned touchback. The counterpunch in momentum was Miller's second run over 50 yards, in addition to his 75-yard run against Missouri State (Aug. 30).
* It was also his fifth run of 40+ yards this season.
* This game marked his third 100+ yard rushing total in the last four games.
* Among running backs with 80 attempts or more, Miller leads the Power Four in yards after contact per attempt with 5.25.
* Since Week 7, Miller has tallied 484 rushing yards – the most among FBS freshmen in that time period.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KING MILLER
* Gary Danielson, CBS Sports Analyst - "This guy (Miller) has made big plays. He's demanded and earned carries on this football team."
* Brad Nessler, CBS Sports Analyst - "King Miller has been sensational so far this year."
* John Fanta, NBC Sports Broadcaster - "That's Lincoln Riley football. USC controlling the trenches and King Miller is running wild."
* Su'a Cravens, Former USC & NFL Safety and current ESPNLA and Big Ten Network Analyst - "KING MILLER NEEDS TO BE ON SCHOLARSHIP!!!!!"
CAN'T GUARD JAK
* WR Ja'Kobi Lane keeps adding to his highlight reel.
* In a spectacular circus-like play, Lane jumped up, tipped the ball to himself and caught it with one hand (again!) to score a TD.
* His final stat line against the Wildcats displayed 7 receptions for 74 yards (10.6 avg) and 1 TD.
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."
* King Miller, USC Running Back – "He's the heart and soul of this team. He gets us going. If he's balling, he's on the sideline, no matter what he is – he's always infectious, and it carries the team."
* Jayden Maiava, USC Quarterback – "I think the biggest thing is just how much of a team player he is. He just wants to see everybody win on this team, so you have to appreciate guys like that. He's a warrior."
* Keely Eure, USC Football Team Reporter – "Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon continually make plays/catches happen that just shouldn't. Unreal talent."
* J.D. Pickell, On3 CFB Analyst – "Makai Lemon is awesome."
* Pat Forde, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated – "USC wideouts are ridiculous."
RESHUFFLED AND RELENTLESS
* The Trojan offensive line continues to display its depth and versatility .
* The offensive line, who earned Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll recognition, has now showcased six different offensive line combinations in nine games.
* Additionally, OL Tobias Raymond has now started at 3 different spots on the line for the Trojans this season (LG six-times, LT twice and RT once).
* The USC offensive line has helped the Trojans average 303.0 passing yards per game (first in the Big Ten), while averaging 200.2 yards on the ground (fourth in the Big Ten).
* USC is ranked No. 2 in the nation and first in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 503.2 yards per game.
* The offensive line's pass blocking has allowed USC QB Jayden Maiava to go 178-of-269 (.662) for 2,614 yards with 17 TDs.
* Maiava is second in the nation with a 90.7 QBR.
* He leads the Big Ten in passing yards per completion (14.69) and passing yards per game (290.4).
* The line has protected Maiava well considering he has only been sacked 6 times all season. He has the second fewest sacks in the Big Ten and the fifth fewest in the Power Four.
* The line's run blocking has allowed seven different Trojans to score a total of 24 rushing touchdowns so far this season.
* The Trojan offensive line's chemistry and outstanding play is a testament to the development of each player in the room by USC head coach Lincoln Riley and offensive line coach Zach Hanson.
D'ANTON'S DEFENSE
* The Trojan defense once again displayed a dominant performance.
* For the second week in a row, the Trojan defense held its opponent to just 3 points in the second half.
* The Trojans have had four halves this season where they have held an opponent to just three points: the second half against Missouri State (Aug. 30), the first half against Purdue (Sept. 13), the second half of Nebraska (Nov. 1) and the second half versus Northwestern (Nov. 7).
* Only 2 Power Four conference teams are under 70% in defensive red zone scoring percentage: USC (67.9%) and Ohio State (56.3%).
* DT Jide Abasiri tallied 5 tackles, including 1 for loss (with 1 sack for minus 5 yards) and a forced fumble.
* Abasiri's 78.4 tackle grade against Northwestern was first among all Power Four defensive linemen per PFF.
* CB DeCarlos Nicholson recorded 3 tackles and 2 crucial PBUs.
* Nicholson earned placement on the Week 11 PFF College Football Team of the Week.
* Nicholson recorded a 83.7 defensive grade and an 85.4 coverage grade, both first among Power Four cornerbacks in Week 11 per PFF.
* DT Jahkeem Stewart tallied his first sack against Northwestern.
* CB Braylon Conley had a career-high 6 tackles and made the most of his opportunity when he came in for Marcelles Williams. He tied with S Kamari Ramsey to lead the Trojans in tackles versus the Wildcats.
* DE Anthony Lucas nabbed his first fumble recovery versus Northwestern.
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."
* Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times - "Imagine trying to throw a pass while Eric Gentry's 7-foot wingspan is bearing down on you."
KICKIN' IT WITH SAYERI
* K Ryon Sayeri scored 8 points for the Trojans: 1 field goal (22 yards) and 5 PATs.
* He also tallied 7 kickoffs for 453 yards (64.7 avg.) and 5 TBs.
* He is tied for seventh-best field goal percentage in the nation with 93.8% accuracy going 15-of-16. He's second in the Big Ten in field goal percentage.
* He is 4-of-4 in field goals versus ranked AP opponents, and he's 5-of5 over 40+ yards.
* He's averaging 1.7 FGs per game (12th in the nation and 3rd in the Big Ten).
* For kickoffs, he's recorded 51 TBs, which is tied for 5th most in the Power Four and is first in the Big Ten.
* USC head coach Lincoln Riley was asked by the media if it's normal for a first-year kicker to be as calm as Sayeri. Riley responded with an emphatic "no."
* When asked if he's had a kicker like him, Riley said, "We've had some pretty good ones throughout my career, but his poise and presence, the confidence he has and the confidence our whole team has in him, is off the charts right now. The guy has been incredible for us all year. He doesn't miss very often, which is a pretty good quality for a kicker I was told," he said with a laugh. "He doesn't miss in practice. He doesn't miss in games. He's the same steady guy the whole way through. He's one of the biggest stories of our team right now."
MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICANS
* USC WR Makai Lemon, S Bishop Fitzgerald and RB Waymond Jordan have each been named 2025 Midseason All-Americans.
* Lemon earned placement on the AP Midseason All-American First Team, Sporting News Midseason All-American First Team, CBS Midseason All-American First Team, The Athletic Midseason All-American First Team and Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American First Team.
* Fitzgerald was named to the AP Midseason All-American First Team, Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American First Team and The Athletic Midseason All-American Second Team.
* Jordan was selected to the Sports Illustrated All-American Second Team.
RANKINGS
* USC is ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. Iowa is not ranked in either the AP Poll or the USA Today Coaches' Poll.
IN NOVEMBER
* USC has a 275-142-20 (.652) all-time record while playing in the month of November (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 278-142-20, .655).
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 601 times. USC • IOWA CONNECTIONS
* USC has does not have any players from the state of Iowa, while Iowa has 2 players from the state of California.
* Legendary USC head football coach Howard Jones (1925-40), who won 4 national championships and 5 Rose Bowls with his "Thundering Herd" teams at Troy, also was Iowa's head coach (1916-23), where he won the 1921 national title. He also served as the Hawkeye athletic director (1917-24) and baseball coach (1919).
* USC CB Alex Graham, Iowa DB Jaylen Watson and Iowa DL Kenneth Merrieweather are all from Detroit, Mich.
* USC WR Jay Fair and Iowa QB Hank Brown previously played together at Auburn in 2023
* USC WR Corey Simms, Iowa TE Zach Ortweth, Iowa OL Lucas Allgeyer and Iowa DE Joseph Anderson are all from Saint Louis, Mo.
* USC DT Kash Amos and Iowa DL Brad Fitzgibbon are both from Chicago, Ill.
* USC Men's Golf Head Coach Mark Hankins served as the head coach for Iowa's Men's Golf team from 2007-14. Hankins built Iowa into a Top-25 powerhouse, securing 11 tournament titles and six consecutive NCAA Championship Regional appearances in seven campaigns. At Iowa, he coached three All-Americans, 16 All-Midwest Region selections, 11 first-team All-Big Ten honorees and seven Academic All-Americans. Under Hankins, the Hawkeyes finished as high as 10th place at the NCAA Championship Finals.
* USC Baseball Assistant Coach Travis Jewett was the head coach of Tulane baseball at the same time that Iowa Offensive Line Coach George Bannett served in a similar role at Tulane in 2020.
* USC Baseball Assistant Coach Travis Jewett served in a similar position at Vanderbilt in 2013, the same time that Iowa Chief of Staff / General Manager Tyler Barnes served as the Commodore's director of player personnel for two years after serving as co-recruiting coordinator in 2013.
* USC Associate Director of Football Sports Performance Lonnie Maddox served as an intern at South Carolina while Iowa Running Backs Coach Omar Young was an offensive analyst (running backs) there in 2016
* USC Athletic Director Jen Cohen was Athletic Director for Washington at the same time that Iowa Women's Gymnastics Head Coach Jen Llewellyn served in the same position at Washington in 2022.
IOWA TROJANS
* In USC's history, 10 football lettermen claim Iowa as their home state before coming to Troy: RE Ward Browning, 1932-34 (Sioux City, Iowa, East HS); OG Joel Crisman, 1990-93 (Grundy Center, Iowa, Grundy Center HS); T Clarke DeGroot, 1924-26 (Humbolt, Iowa, Humbolt); T Robert Erskine, 1931-33 (Ottumwa, Iowa, Ottumwa HS); E William J. Gill, 1934-35 (Des Moines, Iowa, Beverly Hills HS [Calif.]); RT Robert Hendren, 1946-48 (Clarinda, Iowa, Clarinda HS); RG Pete Kalinich, 1939 (Waterloo, Iowa, East HS); DT Jim Phillips, 1983 (Des Moines, Iowa, Roosevelt HS/Iowa); T Alfred Plaehn, 1930-32 (Reinbeck, Iowa, Reinbeck HS); LT Howard Stoecker, 1937-39 (Mason City, Iowa, Mason City HS).
IOWA SCOUTING REPORT
* Iowa lost 16-18 to Oregon at home on Saturday, Nov. 8
* The Hawkeyes missed a crucial two-point conversion, and Oregon responded with its own clutch moments and kicked a 39-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.
* Iowa's three losses this season have come against ranked teams by a combined 10 points: No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana and No. 9 Oregon.
* RB Kamari Moulton leads the Iowa rushing attack with 105 carries for 502 yards and 2 TDs. He has also tallied 12 receptions for 80 yards.
* QB Mark Gronowski is the second leading rusher on the team with 88 rushes for 338 yards and a teamhigh 12 rushing TDs.
* Iowa ranks No. 6 in the Big Ten in rushing offense with 175.9 yards per game.
* Iowa's three worst rushing performances of the season came in all three of their losses.
* Iowa is last in the conference in passing offense (133.2) and second to last in team passing efficiency (116.76).
* Iowa is also second to last in total offense (309.1).
* Iowa has the No. 4 scoring defense (13.0) in the nation, the No. 17 run defense (103.6), No. 5 pass defense (146.7) and No. 4 total defense (250.2).
* Rutgers and Indiana are the only two teams to have thrown for more than 200 yards against Iowa with 330 yards and 233 yards, respectively.
* Indiana is the only team to throw for more than one passing TD against the Hawkeyes with 2.
* Iowa has held every ranked opponent to 20 points or less.
* DE Max Llewellyn leads the Hawkeyes with 6 sacks and 9 TFLs.
* Iowa is fourth in the Big Ten with 10 INTs. Eight defenders have at least one INT.
* K Drew Stevens is 17-of-22 for field goals with a season-long of 58.
* Iowa leads the nation in fewest penalties (20), fewest penalties per game (2.22), fewest penalty yards (183) and fewest penalty yards per game (20.33).
