Vance Jr's interception seals game, Maiava wins in USC starting debut

LOS ANGELES – Greedy Vance Jr intercepted the ball as time expired to lift USC (5-5, 3-5 Big Ten) to a 28-20 Big Ten victory Saturday over Nebraska (5-5, 2-5) before 75,304 at the Coliseum. 

Cornhuskers Jaylen Lloyd's 24-yard reception with 11 seconds left set up Raiola’s game-losing interception. On the final play, Vance Jr got in front of the throw intended for Jahmal Banks on the right side of the endzone to seal the game with his first interception. 

Jayden Maiava provided the comfort of an eight-point lead for USC with a two-yard rushing touchdown at 2:49 left in the game. Maiava collected his first win in his starting debut for USC. 

"I got a great team, I got a great coaching staff, and there is nothing for me to worry about but to go out and play ball with them," Maiava said. 

USC’s offense finished with 182 rush yards, 410 total. SC’s Woody Marks finished with 146 rush yards on 19 attempts. The Trojans and Cornhuskers surrender two turnovers a piece. 

At halftime, it was tied at 14. 

In the third, SC took a 21-17 lead with a Duce Robinson 48-yard touchdown reception. Robinson set a career-high 90 receiving yards on four catches.

In the red zone, USC’s defense made the plays when it mattered. The Trojans held the Cornhuskers to six points on three trips inside USC’s 20-yard line. 

A Jayden Maiava fumble with 4:19 left in the third quarter gave Nebraska the ball at USC’s 16-yard line. Yet, the Trojans defense prevailed and held Nebraska to a 30-yard field goal to keep their lead of 21-20 with 2:14 in the third quarter. 

Riley’s gamble on a fourth-an-inches paid off with a Jayden Maiava option with 5:39 left. Maiava read the linebacker's eyes and pitched it left to Marks for a 34-yard gain, setting up the game's final touchdown by Maiava. 

"We knew we wanted to be aggressive in that moment, and the guys did a great job executing," Riley said. 

For USC, Maiava finished 25 of 35 for 259 yards with four total touchdowns and one interception. 

Cornhuskers Raiola was 27 of 38 for 191 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. 

Next, USC heads to the Rose Bowl for their rivalry week matchup versus UCLA on Nov. 23. With two games remaining, the Trojans need one more win to become bowl-eligible. 

"How you finish seasons is always important...To be the program we want to be, we are going to have to be great at the end of seasons," Riley said. "We took a great step this week, and looking forward to the challenge next week."