USC Trojans In Danger Of Missing Bowl Game: Quarterback Jayden Maiava The Answer?

The USC Trojans announced that sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava would be starting in place of Miller Moss in their November 16th matchup vs. Nebraska. With three games remaining on the schedule, USC is in danger of missing a bowl game. Can Maiava lead

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the fourth quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans announced that sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava would be starting in place of Miller Moss in their November 16th matchup vs. Nebraska. With three games remaining on the schedule, USC is in danger of missing a bowl game. Can Maiava lead the Trojans to the postseason?

Here’s what coach Lincoln Riley said about Moss and Maiava on Tuesday.

Lincoln Riley: “He’ll be ready for his next opportunity no matter where it is"

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) passes against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans have decided to make the quarterback change from Miller Moss to Jayden Maiava. Lincoln Riley is still optimistic about Moss on whatever path he decides to take.

“He’ll (Miller Moss) stay in a very positive mindset,” Riley said. “He’ll come and go to work for this team, and he’ll be ready for his next opportunity no matter where it is.”

This isn’t the first time Lincoln Riley has made a quarterback change since becoming a college football head coach. 

“I’ve had these play out where something like this happens and a guy goes to another school and goes to the NFL,” Riley said. “I’ve had these happen where the guy sat down, didn’t play for a little bit, then went back in and played even better, and took off and ran from there.”

Riley has been a big defender of Moss through the Trojans’ struggles. The loss at Washington on Saturday night with three Moss interceptions was the breaking pointer Moss and likely was his last start as a USC Trojan.

“He’s just got to be ready for the next opportunity,” Riley said. “It’s football. The tough thing is you don’t know exactly what is going to happen.”

In his nine games at quarterback for USC this season, Moss threw for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The Trojans went 4-5 in those games and averaged 30.6 per game. 

Jayden Maiava Gets the Nod

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up before a game against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

In for Moss at quarterback will be Jayden Maiava. Maiava is a sophomore quarterback who spent his freshman season at UNLV in 2023.

At UNLV in 2023, Maiava threw for 3,085 yards, 17 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. He also added another 277 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

In his limited action with USC this season, Maiava has gone 8 for 11 with 66 yards and has carried it 3 times for 27 yards. 

Maiava provided more of a duel threat option that Miller Moss didn’t not. Lincoln Riley has thrived more with quarterbacks that have more mobility than Miller Moss. It’s disappointing that after three years of waiting his turn to be the Trojans quarterback, Moss got pulled after 9 games and a 4-5 record.

The Trojans have a bye and then take on Nebraska on November 16th at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After that, USC plays UCLA and Notre Dame. At minimum, a team needs six wins to become bowl eligible so the Trojans will need to win two of their final three games.

We’ll see if Maiava can help salvage a season that has been disappointing up until this point. 

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