The No. 19 USC Trojans (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) host Northwestern (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) in the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs and the first since the 1996 Rose Bowl.
The star of that meeting, Trojans receiver Keyshawn Johnson, will lead Southern Cal out of the tunnel for this matchup. Johnson caught 12 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown in a 41-32 victory.
USC leads the series 5-0 and looks to remain unbeaten against the Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. PT and will air on FOX.
6:20 – Timeout. Northwestern burns their first timeout of the half. USC will face a 2nd-and-12 on their own 35-yard line.
7:18 – Jayden Maiava goes deep to Lake McRee for 42 yards and moves into Northwestern territory.
7:43 – TOUCHDOWN Northwestern. Caleb Komolafe runs up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown to cap off a 7-play, 75-yard drive.
8:28 – Caleb Komolafe runs right and picks up 37 yards to move the ball down to the USC 2-yard line.
11:27 – Jayden Maiava keeps it for a 6-yard touchdown to cap off a 9-play, 58-yard drive. USC leads 14-7.
Maiava muscles it in 💪
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/rOE5qNAps9
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 8, 2025
14:24 – USC dials up a trick play and punter Sam Johnson completes to Tanook Hines for 10 yards to move the chains.
tricky tricky
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/d5nxEUZCH6
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 8, 2025
0:45 – TOUCHDOWN Northwestern. Preston Stone to Griffin Wilde for a 4-yard touchdown to cap off a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Game tied 7-7.
2:29 – Preston Stone to Caleb Komolafe for a gain of 18 and Northwestern inside the 10-yard line.
5:19 – Caleb Komolafe runs for 14 yards and moves the ball into USC territory.
7:46 – TOUCHDOWN USC. Jayden Maiava connects with Makai Lemon for a 7-yard touchdown to cap off a 16-play, 82-yard drive. USC leads 7-0.
Maiava to Lemon for SIX ✌️@uscfb pic.twitter.com/aIL9Efe5TK
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025
10:00 – Jayden Maiava on a QB sneak picks up two yards on 4th-and-1 to move the chains. USC is in the red zone.
12:22 – Jayden Maiava completes to Walker Lyons for 9 yards on 3rd down to move the chains. USC is in Northwestern territory.
15:00 – Northwestern wins the toss and defers to the 2nd half. USC will receive.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
It’s no surprise the Trojans have another high-powered offense under Lincoln Riley, which ranks second in the nation and No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (505.9).
However, in last weeks win over Nebraska, USC got off to a slow start, going three-and-out on its first two possessions. The Trojans scored a season-low six points in the first half and had less than 60 passing yards.
“I think just the way to fix it is just obviously starting faster, being able to just go out there and execute plays,” said USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. “Worry about the Trojans, nobody else, just eliminating all the other factors that really don’t matter. No matter whether that be people talking or what the environment’s like or what the weather’s like, I think just focusing on what we’re good at and continue to execute.”
A good way to start fast is leaning on redshirt freshman running back King Miller, who led the Trojans with 129 rushing yards on 18 carries and one touchdown last week against Nebraska. Miller had five rushes over 10 yards in that contest, which led all Power Four running backs.
Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images / Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
The walk-on has been on the biggest stories in college football since a series of injuries late in the first half of USC’s win over Michigan thrusted him into the No. 1 running back role.
The Trojans have dealt with numerous injuries at running back and on the offensive line. Still, they have not only managed to make it work, but continue playing at a high level.
Maiava still has star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane and a pair of tight ends in Lake McRee and Walker Lyons that have provided a new element to the USC offense in 2025.
Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs for a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Trojans arrived back in Los Angeles early Sunday morning after last Saturday’s win and will be back in action on Friday.
USC coach Lincoln Riley made his displeasures with the Big Ten scheduling known last weekend. Regardless, the schedule is the schedule and the Trojans can only control themselves.
On paper, this matchup against Northwestern is set up to be a trap game for the Trojans. But Riley has ensured his team remained focused throughout the week.
Riley at the beginning the week, told us that it’s a new week and it’s time to start over and win the week. And I think we’ve done a great job of that up,” said USC offensive tackle Elijah Paige.
Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (8) breaks a tackle by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Tae Johnson (9) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images / Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
The Trojans are in a must-win scenario ever week during this final month of the regular season to remain alive in the College Football Playoff and that begins tonight.
