Maiava throws three touchdowns as USC beats Penn State, 31-23

Jayden Maiava threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns Saturday night, and No. 19 USC held off Penn State 31-23 in the White Out at Beaver Stadium. The Trojans improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while the Nittany Lions fell to 3-3 and remained winless in conference play.

Maiava’s final touchdown pass went to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt from 10 yards out with 11:11 remaining. It completed USC’s answer to a Penn State field goal that had cut the lead to one point, and forced the home team to chase a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Penn State still had a chance in the closing minutes. With 3:59 remaining, USC safety Christian Pierce knocked the ball away from Brett Eskildsen, ending the Nittany Lions’ possession. USC then kept the ball for the rest of the game, protecting an eight-point lead without giving Rocco Becht another opportunity.

The Trojans had gained the lead for good in the third quarter after an opening gamble went wrong. USC attempted an onside kick to begin the second half, but Penn State recovered and used the short field to set up Ryan Barker’s 35-yard field goal. That gave the Nittany Lions their only lead, 20-17.

King Miller responded with a 13-yard touchdown run at the end of a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Miller finished with 102 yards on 19 carries, supplying the rushing support that helped USC keep possession and create scoring opportunities alongside Maiava’s passing.

Trent Mosley led USC’s receivers with nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. His 19-yard scoring catch put the Trojans ahead on their opening possession. Maiava later found Tanook Hines for an 11-yard touchdown, with Hines finishing with four catches for 82 yards.

Penn State matched both first-half touchdowns. Becht connected with Andrew Rappleyea for a 13-yard score, and Carson Hansen scored on a three-yard run. Barker’s 48-yard field goal on the final play before halftime tied the game at 17 after Caden Chittenden had made a 37-yard kick for USC.

Becht completed 21 of 32 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. Chase Sowell caught four passes for 95 yards, and Eskildsen had four receptions for 70. The Nittany Lions converted all five fourth-down attempts, but only two of 12 third downs and rushed for 68 yards.

USC finished with 430 yards to Penn State’s 357 and did not commit a turnover. Barker made three field goals, including a 26-yard kick early in the fourth quarter, but Penn State could not turn its final possessions into the touchdown it needed. The Nittany Lions visit Michigan next Saturday. USC has a break before traveling to Wisconsin on October 24.

Sources

ESPN final statistics and scoring · Via ESPN · Official team game report