USC NOTES:
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).
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.
IOWA GAME NOTES:
• Saturday’s game is Iowa’s first game against USC in Los Angeles since 1976. • Iowa’s three losses have come against teams ranked16th, 11th and 19th by a combined 10 points (3, 5, 2). All three games were decided in the closing minutes. • The Hawkeyes became bowl eligible in the Week 9 win over Minnesota. Iowa is eligible for the 13th consecutive season and for the 23rd time in the last 25 seasons. • The Hawkeyes scored a touchdown via offense, defense and special teams in its Week 9 victory over Minnesota. It was the first time for the program since 2020 vs. Michigan State. • Iowa’s defense has recorded an interception in six straight games, including a season-high three against the Gophers. All 10 picks have come in the last six games. • Senior Drew Stevens made a 58-yard field goal in Week 11 against Oregon, tying an Iowa and Kinnick Stadium record. It is tied for the second-longest make in the NCAA this season. • The Iowa defense is fourth nationally in total defense (250.2) and scoring defense (13.0), fifth in first down defense (129) and passing defense (146.7) and 17th in rushing defense (103.6). The 13.0 scoring defense would be the lowest in a single season under DC Phil Parker. • QB Mark Gronowski is the only player in the nation to score a touchdown in every game and the streak is the longest by a Big Ten quarterback all-time. (Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson has scored in all seven contests; he has missed three games because of injury.) • Gronowski’s 12 total rushing TDs are seventh-most nationally and are the fourth-most among FBS quarterbacks. The 12 rushing TDs are a single season record by an Iowa quarterback. • Coach Kirk Ferentz has coached in the L.A. Coliseum once before, in 1993 when he was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns. • PK Drew Stevens has made 71 career field goals — the most in program history. He is also tied for second in school history in career scoring (324). • Graduate Kaden Wetjen has a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown (Week 3 vs. UMass), a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (Week 4 at Rutgers) and a 50-yard punt return TD (Week 9 vs. Minnesota). He is the only player in the nation to have both a punt and kickoff return TD in 2025. • Wetjen is also the only player in the country to score via a punt, kickoff, rushing and passing touchdown. He is the first player since 2009 to accomplish the feat. • Over his last six games, Gronowski has completed 96-of-144 attempts (66.7 percent) for 957 yards and four touchdowns. • Iowa lost its first fumble since the season opener in Week 11 against Oregon. The team has three lost fumbles in nine games.
THE SERIES • Saturday’s game will be the 11th meeting in the all-time series between Iowa and USC. The series began in 1925 in Los Angeles. • USC leads the all-time series, 7-3. The Trojans are 3-2 against Iowa in Los Angeles. This is Iowa’s first trip to play a road game against USC since 1976 — a 55-0 Trojan victory. • The last two meetings in the series came in the 2003 Orange Bowl (38-17 USC win) and the 2019 Holiday Bowl (49-24 Iowa win). SERIES RESULTS 11/21/1925 L, 0-18 (A) 9/29/1950 W, 20-14 (A) 10/7/1961 W, 35-34 (A) 10/6/1962 L, 0-7 (H) 9/26/1970 L, 0-48 (H) 10/5/1974 L, 3-41 (A) 10/4/1975 L, 16-27 (H) 10/2/1976 L, 0-55 (A) 1/2/2003 L, 7-38 (N) — Miami, Fla. 12/27/2019 W, 49-24 (#22) (N) — San Diego, Calif.
ALONE AT THE TOP Kirk Ferentz is in his 27th season as Iowa’s head football coach. He is the longest tenured active head coach in college football and the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten Conference history. Ferentz won his 206th game as a member of the Big Ten on Sept. 13, 2025, against UMass, to pass Ohio State’s Woody Hayes atop the prestigious list. He currently has 210 career victories. • Ferentz has 132 Big Ten wins, which rank third all-time, trailing Hayes (153) and Michigan’s Bo Schembechler (143). • Ferentz won his 200th career game at Iowa State in 2023. He is the 27th coach at an FBS institution to reach the 200-career win milestone and the 99th coach across all divisions. Former Hawkeye head coach Hayden Fry finished his career with 236 victories. • Ferentz has 10 career bowl game victories, which tie Joe Paterno for the most bowl wins as a member of the Big Ten Conference.
MORE NOTABLES • Iowa has sold out 27 consecutive games in Kinnick Stadium. • TE D.J. Vonnahme had a 3-yard touchdown reception in Week 11 vs. Oregon. It was the first touchdown by a Hawkeye tight end this season. • The Hawkeyes have scored 25+ points in five of the last seven games. The Hawkeyes are 38-1 when scoring 21+ points since 2020. • The Hawkeyes have rushed for 200+ yards in four games this season. Iowa has rushed for 200+ yards 11 times under OC Tim Lester. • The Hawkeyes are 13th in the country in fewest turnovers lost (8). • Iowa’s passing defense held back-to-back opponents (82 at Wisconsin; 93 vs. Penn State) under 100 yards passing for the first time since 2023 (Northwestern, Rutgers). The unit has held three teams under 100 yards and seven teams below 150 passing yards in 2025. • The Hawkeye win over Penn State was the program’s fourth all-time victory against a team that was ranked in the AP Preseason top two and first since 2017. • Hidden yards… Iowa’s punt return unit is second in the nation, averaging 25.71 yards per game, while the kickoff return unit is 13th (26.00). Kaden Wetjen is No. 1 in the nation in combined kick return yards (674). • Iowa forced three turnovers in back-to-back games in consecutive wins over Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Hawkeyes have recorded an interception in each of the last six games. • The Hawkeyes have won four consecutive games over Wisconsin for the first time since 2002-06. Iowa has held the Badgers to 10 points or less in four straight and in five of the last six meetings. • Iowa’s defense has held five of its nine opponents under 250 yards of total offense this season and has allowed seven points or less in four contests. • Iowa has won the time of possession battle in seven of the nine games. The only games where the opposition had a longer T.O.P. was Rutgers in Week 4 and Penn State in Week 8. • The Hawkeyes have outrushed their opponent in seven of the first nine games in 2025. • First-year Iowa starting QB Mark Gronowski won his 55th career game in the Week 9 victory over Minnesota, extending his NCAA record (all levels). • Since returning from injury, sophomore RB Kamari Moulton has rushed for 457 yards on 102 carries with two touchdowns in six games. He now leads the team with 522 rushing yards in seven contests. Moulton went over 1,000 yards for his career in Week 9 vs. Minnesota. • Iowa posted its first shutout of the season in a 37-0 road victory at Wisconsin in a battle for the Heartland Trophy in Week 7. The 37 points are the team’s most ever scored in Madison. • Iowa’s offense finished with a season-high 422 yards of total offense and 47 points in Week 3 against UMass. It is the fourth time under OC Tim Lester that Iowa has gone over 400 yards and the 47 points were a high under the second-year OC.
• The Hawkeye rushing attack ranks 48th in the nation (sixth in the Big Ten), averaging 175.9 yards per game. The Hawkeyes have rushed for 200+ yards in four games in 2025 and 11 times during Lester’s tenure. • Iowa is 38-1 when scoring 21+ points since 2020. Since the start of the 2015 season, Iowa is 83-5 when leading by eight points at any point in a game. • The Hawkeyes scored 20 points in the first quarter in Week 3 against UMass – the most in an opening quarter since Oct. 16, 2016, at Purdue. Iowa scored 31 in the first half in Week 9 vs. Minnesota – the most in a half since 2021 at Maryland. • Iowa is the only school in the nation to have a consensus All-American in each of the past six seasons. • The Hawkeyes are one of five teams in FBS to have won at least eight games in each of the last nine seasons (Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State). • Iowa is one of seven programs nationally to have posted 11 straight winning seasons (Alabama, Boise State, Clemson, Georgia, Iowa, Memphis, Ohio State). • Iowa has had a consensus All-American in each of the past six seasons — the only school nationally to accomplish the feat. The program has 12 consensus All-Americans over the past 11 seasons. • Since 2020, Iowa is 17-8 in road games and the Hawkeyes have posted a winning road record dating back to the start of the 2018 season (23-12 record). • Iowa’s defense has allowed fewer than 400 yards in 46 of the last 50 games and 15 or fewer points in 29 of their last 49 games. The Hawkeyes have held 13 teams without a touchdown since the start of the 2022 season. • Iowa has played 14 games decided by a single possession since the start of the 2023 season. The Hawkeyes are 7-7 in such games. • The Hawkeyes are 164-8-1 when allowing 10 points or less since 1970 and 397-59-19 when allowing 10 points or less all-time. TIGHT GAMES Iowa has played 137 games in the Ferentz era in games decided by one score or less. The Hawkeyes are 67-70 (.489) in such contests. Over the past two-plus years, Iowa has won seven of 14 games decided by eight points or fewer.
