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3w ago

USC Rout Spoils Clay Helton’s Coliseum Return, 59-20 Over Georgia Southern

The former Trojans coach met his old team four years after his 2021 dismissal.

Georgia Southern Head Coach Clay Helton in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton walks the sidelines during the first half of a game against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 30, 2023, in Statesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane makes a one-handed catch in the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia Southern in the first quareter in Los Angeles on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Overview

  • Jayden Maiava threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns as USC moved to 2-0, with Makai Lemon scoring on 62- and 74-yard catches in the first quarter.
  • USC piled up 755 total yards with seven plays over 35 yards, including a 167-yard rushing night from Waymond Jordan and a one-handed touchdown grab by Ja’Kobi Lane.
  • The Coliseum introduced Clay Helton by name before kickoff and the crowd response was largely boos in his first sideline appearance there since being fired in 2021.
  • Georgia Southern fell to 0-2 after consecutive road losses to Fresno State and USC by a combined 101-34, with Camden Brown catching two first-half touchdowns.
  • Lincoln Riley had asked fans earlier in the week to show appreciation for Helton, who brought his Eagles for a Friday tour of the stadium; USC visits Purdue next and Georgia Southern hosts Jacksonville State on Sept. 13.